If you’re working with NetSuite, you might have come across SuiteQL. SuiteQL is a query language that allows users to access information about the records saved in NetSuite, based on version 92 of SQL. SuiteQL has many features that help users query data, and in this article, we’ll explore some of its features.
As mentioned earlier, SuiteQL is a query language that allows users to access information about the records saved in NetSuite. It’s based on version 92 of SQL, and while revisions are made every few years, version 92 has the most features used nowadays. SuiteQL queries refer to records or tables, and a record in NetSuite corresponds to a table in SQL. Every record in NetSuite has fields, and each instance of a record is a row. If you’ve worked with SQL server or MySQL databases before, you’ll find the concept of records, fields, and instances similar.
|
NetSuite |
SQL Database |
|
Record Types |
Tables |
|
Fields |
Columns |
|
Record Instances |
Rows |
The capabilities of SuiteQL lie in its interaction with NetSuite records and data, offering an efficient method for managing complex data structures. This robust query language streamlines data extraction, manipulation, and analysis, enabling businesses to make well-informed decisions based on precise insights.
SuiteAnalytics Connect, a formidable NetSuite tool, grants users access to SuiteQL for analytics purposes. By employing SuiteQL, businesses can craft custom queries, extract data, and generate intricate reports, ultimately optimizing their analytics workflows and enhancing their data-driven decision-making capacity.
SuiteScript, NetSuite’s scripting language, incorporates the N/query module, which eases the use of SuiteQL in script development. This integration allows developers to build complex data-driven applications while retaining the advantages of the NetSuite platform. Moreover, the N/query module facilitates the creation of highly tailored scripts that meet specific business needs.
The combination of SuiteQL and SuiteTalk REST web services allows users to engage with their NetSuite data through a RESTful API. This feature empowers developers to design robust, secure, and scalable applications that interact with NetSuite data from external systems, granting businesses the flexibility to broaden their digital presence and automate processes.
To build a query using SuiteQL, we need to know the names of the records and fields in NetSuite. The Records Catalog is a tool in the NetSuite’s backend that lets users look up the names of records and fields. You can find the Records Catalog in Setup, and it’s the last item on the menu. To use it, search for the record you’re interested in, and click on the Suitescript element. In the center of the screen, you’ll find all the fields and their types contained in that record. You can search between the fields or columns, and where it’s indicated, you’ll see the fields’ ID. This information is useful for building queries. For example, you could use “select” altname or currency “from customer” to retrieve fields from the customer record. Joins are also available in the Records Catalog, and you can use them to join tables together to obtain more information.
SuiteQL also has built-in functions that help users convert data or bring additional information on data in the query. One of the functions is Consolidate, which groups data. Another function is DF, which converts IDs to more meaningful values. For example, if you want to display an employee’s name instead of their ID, you can use the DF function.
If you want to use SuiteQL in SuiteScript, you need to import the query module first. The query module is available in SuiteScript 2, from version 2020 of SuiteCommerce. Once you’ve imported the query module, you can use the runSuiteQL function to execute queries.
At the baseline, N/query and N/search serve a similar purpose, allowing developers to query data from just about any record type in the NetSuite database and process large result sets within their SuiteScript.
One of the most important considerations when choosing between these two modules is governance usage. For single-page result sets, both modules use only 10 units. However, for larger, multi-page result sets, N/query uses 10 units over N/search that uses 5 units, making N/query the better choice for large result sets. However, when processing large result sets, it is recommended to use a bulk background process like Map/Reduce, where governance is effectively unlimited when used properly.
More information here.
The lookupFields function is an efficient way to retrieve body-level data from a specific record, such as the email address of a sales representative from a sales order. For more complex queries, N/search provides more concise syntax to express similar concepts, while N/query requires a series of verbose method calls to accomplish the same thing.
Multi-level joins are the first item on the list of N/query’s advantages. Unlike NetSuite’s Searches, N/query supports multiple levels of joins across records, as well as specific directional joins. This enables users to have more control and flexibility when merging related records in their results. When it comes to deep record relationships, N/query is the more viable option.
N/query’s ResultSet.asMappedResults() method is a helpful feature that can easily map N/search.Result Objects to plain JavaScript Objects. The column in the Query can be given an alias, which will be utilized as the key name in the output Object. In case an alias is not provided, the fieldId of the column will be used. This method is more concise and easy to read compared to using getValue() and getText() methods in N/search.Result Objects. It is, by far, one of the best features of N/query, and it’s a notable improvement made by the SuiteScript team after transitioning to version 2.0.
SuiteQL is a valuable tool for NetSuite users looking to access data in their records. By leveraging its powerful features, including the Records Catalog, built-in functions, and different types of joins, users can obtain valuable insights that can inform better decision-making. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about how to use SuiteQL effectively, consider buying consulting services from UnlockCommerce. Our team of experts can guide you through the process of building effective queries and maximizing the benefits of SuiteQL for your business. So don’t hesitate to reach out to UnlockCommerce for assistance with your SuiteQL needs.
Senior Full Stack Developer in NetSuite, with a strong background in software engineering and extensive experience in developing customized NetSuite solutions. He brings a wealth of technical expertise to the team and is dedicated to delivering high-quality, efficient, and scalable solutions for our client's ecommerce needs.
Managing product variants in SuiteCommerce can be a challenge. From inventory mismatches to slow load times, learn how to overcome these with ease.
Order Tracking Portals Are Crucial for Revenue Assurance What happens after a customer clicks “Buy” is just as important as the steps that led to it. The journey doesn’t end there—it’s just beginning. While most
Web accessibility and SEO go hand in hand. Practices like alt text for images, clear structure, and responsive design improve usability for all users while boosting search rankings. A study by SEMrush found accessibility improvements
