This article is relevant if you are crafting NetSuite Advanced PDF Templates.

Background

NetSuite’s Advanced PDF template technology is often underestimated for its powerful output capabilities. Despite its name, which leads one to think about solving PDF document generation, the technology is built on the following building blocks:

1. NetSuite Records: Advanced PDF templates are derived from a specific NetSuite data source or object.  We can think of these data sources as inputs for possible creative outputs.
2. Freemarker Syntax: This syntax is used within NetSuite’s open-source template string output generator implementation.  What’s not obvious is that once you can manipulate strings in a programmatic template model, we can drive more creative output endeavors.  For more details, refer to the Freemarker documentation in the open-source Apache project.
3. Big Faceless Organization (BFO) Report Generator: Data formatted as XML within NetSuite can be processed by NetSuite’s implementation of the BFO Report Generator tool to generate PDFs.   The tool can also be used to output non-PDFs as it has its own looping and template constructs. Thus, on top of Freemarker, we have yet another space for creative innovation.
4. NetSuite SuiteScript: most of these previously mentioned components can be manipulated using NetSuite’s SuiteScript framework to help build custom applications.  Thus, we are not at all stuck with NetSuite’s suggested approach when it comes to Advanced PDF templates.

These building blocks allow for more creative expression.  NetSuite provides administrators with tools to craft Advanced PDFs using point-and-click customization. However, while NetSuite offers a visual designer to preview the output during the development of the document, most administrators will find it lacking; most will need to switch to source-code view to achieve the desired structure.

Challenges in Viewing Data While Crafting PDFs

One of the main challenges in crafting Freemarker templates is understanding the field names and syntax needed to access the database. Not so long ago, NetSuite introduced an Advanced Templates HELP reference, which has improved the process.

However, the PDF-building mechanism remains obscure and tedious. The typical approach involves crafting the template and then running a preview or generating the PDF to see the result, which requires a significant amount of guesswork.  There is a much better way.

Alternative Tool to View NetSuite Advanced PDF Data and Syntax

Our firm regularly assists clients in generating branded HTML, PDFs, and other string-related outputs.  To streamline this process, we developed a license-free tool called the Content Renderer Engine.

Significance of Data and Syntax Visibility

Effective software development tools offer inspection tools for debugging and outputs. To enhance productivity in developing client-driven branded outputs, we crafted a solution that meets the need for visibility and ease of use when producing Freemarker template-based outputs in NetSuite.

The key features we needed to improve over NetSuite’s native approach include:

1. Custom Fields: Most NetSuite accounts have custom fields. It’s convenient to see this data displayed alongside NetSuite’s native fields.
2. Hierarchical Data Structures: Some data fields are complex and require additional multi-dot syntax to access the underlying information. Click the related image for an example.
3. List Array Data: Easily accessing and looping through array data to output information is often times obscure. Click the related image for an example.
4. Quick Output/Preview View: The ability to see outputs immediately without opening additional windows. Click the related image for an example.

Expanding NetSuite Advanced PDF Reach with Linked Data

NetSuite’s Advanced PDF technologies offer good access to record objects and major linked structures, but our clients often find this insufficient. To address these limitations, our tool expands the data reach by allowing the creation of a comprehensive data universe through linked searches and queries.   All of this is done without scripting to get more data.  Finally, the idea of defining the specifically interesting data elements is within reach.  This linked data is presented within the debugging tools, providing PDF designers with a more productive and efficient workflow, enabling designers to seamlessly integrate and manipulate complex data structures in their PDF templates.

See the related image for an example of how linked data is defined and displayed.

Related Content Renderer Engine Articles

The Content Renderer Engine is a technology we invented in 2014 and has gone through major evolutions as we solved many different client concerns. Readers interested in the tool can reference these articles to help them learn more:

1. Learn the Framework to Extend NetSuite Content Generation: Overview of extending NetSuite content generation using the Content Renderer Engine, focusing on improving document outputs and flexibility.
2. Get License Free Tools to Link NetSuite Saved Search / SQL to Extend Data Reach: Introduction to tools that enhance NetSuite’s data reach through linked searches and SQL, improving access to complex data structures.
3. Supercharge NetSuite Advanced PDF/HTML Templates: Techniques to enhance NetSuite Advanced PDF/HTML templates, focusing on increasing efficiency and functionality.
4. Video: How to Extend Advanced PDFs with Content Renderer Engine: A video tutorial on using the Content Renderer Engine to extend the capabilities of NetSuite Advanced PDFs.
5. Yes You Can: Generate a NetSuite Customer Statement on an Invoice with Customer Deposit Accounting: Instructions on generating customer statements within invoices using customer deposit accounting in NetSuite.
6. How to Produce a NetSuite Consolidated Invoice: Guide on creating consolidated invoices in NetSuite, combining multiple records into a single document using the Content Renderer Engine tool.
7. How To: Insert Multiple NetSuite Aggregate Saved Searches to Google Charts: Tutorial on integrating multiple NetSuite saved searches into Google Charts for enhanced data visualization in NetSuite.
8. Join Multiple NetSuite Saved Searches to Build a Data Universe: Explanation of combining multiple saved searches to create a comprehensive data universe in NetSuite.
9. Content Renderer Engine 2.0 with NetSuite SuiteQL:  Introduction to the updated Content Renderer Engine (2.0) with SuiteQL integration, enhancing data querying capabilities.
10. Extend NetSuite Customer Statements: Techniques to enhance NetSuite customer statements, including adding custom fields and data points.

Get the Content Renderer Engine for Productive Advanced PDF Design and Construction

A highly useful application of this tool is that you can use it simply to look up data in standard Advanced PDF generation. Simply create a basic inspection profile and point to an interesting data record, and native data visibility and structure are finally at hand.

When our clients do not have NetSuite administrators with a background in Saved Searches and Freemarker Syntax, we happily produce the outputs they seek. Other clients have NetSuite Administrators who recognize the power of these tools. We often work together to produce their first output, and then they are self-sufficient to use the tool at their disposal for all of their subsequent handiwork.

Like all of the intellectual property we have created in the last 15 years as a premier NetSuite Systems Integrator, this tool sits in our LABs initiative and is available to any client without a license charge.  Our ethics are to hold the standard for listening, synthesis, conceptualization, design, and craft, which we understand the market demands.  Our tools are illustrations of our accomplishments, and we believe a trustworthy service relationship is one where transparency, experience, and intellectual artifacts are all available to take care of complex concerns in an honest commercial relationship.

If you found this article relevant, feel free to sign up for notifications to new articles as I post them. If you are a NetSuite innovator and do not feel you are being recognized for your leadership and would like to be part of a high-caliber team, let’s discuss your ambition. If you would like to enhance your NetSuite Advanced PDF production and these tools resonate, let’s discuss your challenge and have a conversation.

Marty Zigman

Holding all three official certifications, Marty is regarded as the top NetSuite expert and leads a team of senior professionals at Prolecto Resources, Inc. He is a former Deloitte & Touche CPA and has held CTO roles. For over 30 years, Marty has produced leadership in ERP, CRM and eCommerce business systems. Contact Marty to set up a conversation.

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