NetSuite has offered cloud-based services worldwide for over two decades, helping organizations manage their datasets and obtain valuable insights. Data analytics and reporting are essential elements of the software solution that give you real-time and holistic visibility into a centralized database.
NetSuite Report Builder creates extensive reports for your stakeholders to make sense of your records and analyze the overall business performance. You can obtain high-value insights into your business using NetSuite’s standard and customized reports. Standard NetSuite reports let you follow a generic approach toward data analytics. On the other hand, a NetSuite custom report allows you to deviate and obtain insights tailored to your specific business needs.
This blog will discuss creating and customizing reports using the report builder.
Before starting, let us understand who is responsible for creating these reports.
NetSuite Report Builder
Who Can Create A NetSuite Report?
Considering the need for data security and the risk of unauthorized access, only some NetSuite users can create and customize a NetSuite report. Administrators automatically have this access and are the ones responsible for setting the level of permissions for each NetSuite user.
Creating A Standard NetSuite Report
The process of creating a standard NetSuite report is relatively straightforward.
Go to the Reports Dashboard by clicking the Reports tab at the top. Start by selecting the report you wish to see. You can search for reports by keyword(s) or browse the available options using the expand button.
When you select a NetSuite report, the software will open a summary report. If you want to see the details, you will click on the “Detail” link given under the report’s name.
While perusing a standard report, feel free to customize the presentation of its data using the footer options. It’s important to note that these adjustments pertain to the visual representation of the existing data within the report and do not alter the underlying data provided by the report.
Creating An Ad Hoc NetSuite Report
Ad hoc reports are reports created upon specific requests. To build such a report in NetSuite, click the “New Report” button on the Reports Dashboard. This will take you to a new page requiring you to select the suitable metric for your report.
As you choose the right metric, you must set specific details for the report. This includes the field you want to use, the format, and how to subtotal your data. As soon as you set the parameters for your ad hoc report, you can run it to obtain the desired insights.
Customizing A NetSuite Report
While calling an ad hoc report a custom report is fair, NetSuite Report Builder gives you even more customization options to meet your organization’s specific requirements.
There are several ways to use the customization feature in the reports builder:
- From the reports dashboard, hover your cursor over a standard report. A “Customize” link will appear to the right of the report name.
- Select a standard report, and you will find a “customize” button at the bottom.
- Create an ad hoc report and select the “More Customization” button.
Understanding NetSuite Report Builder
Once you have chosen one of the above methods to customize using the report builder, you will see the builder has four key components – Edit Columns, Filters, Sorting, and More Options.
Edit Columns
This section allows you to add or remove specific fields in your report. You can add a regular field by expanding the sections appearing on the left of the page. Then, you can choose the field from the expanded list or search for a specific field by typing its name in the search bar. There is also the option to add a formula field using the Add Formula Field button.
While you add or remove specific fields in your NetSuite report, you can see a quick snapshot of how the changes will look with the preview pane. You can review the changes here before finalizing them.
Filters
This section allows you to add specific filters as you customize your report. Look to the left side of the page to select the fields available for use as filters. As you add one of these fields as a filter, you must set the values for the filter.
As an admin, if you wish to allow users to change a specific filter directly on your report, you can go to the Filter Region and check the box that says “Show.” You can leave this box unchecked to restrict access.
Sorting
You can add or remove fields to sort your report as per your preference. It also helps you edit the order of sorting choices according to your requirements. You can change the sorting order by selecting the desired field in the “Choose Sort Order” section and using the “Move Up” or “Move Down” buttons.
To see how the changes look on your report, click the preview button at the bottom of the page.
More Options
The More Options tab accommodates all other customization options. With options like “Show On Reports Page,” “Allow Web Query,” and more, you can customize your report down to the smallest detail.
Customizations with DataOngoing
Whether you create a standard or a custom NetSuite report, you can streamline your organization’s data management, analytics, and reporting.
If you need help setting up your organization’s report builder, we are happy to help! We specialize in all NetSuite customizations.