ExtendInsights Data Management includes an enhanced Picklist (Cell Operations) feature that makes it easy to select valid NetSuite values for list fields without memorizing or looking up internal IDs.

The picklist panel is now a draggable pane, so you can view the full list of values while working in Excel. When not needed, it can be minimized or hidden.

Video Walkthrough

Watch the video to see how cell operations work or see the different methods below!

Overview

You can select picklist values in two ways:

Using the Picklist panel
Typing values directly into the Excel sheet

Both methods help ensure valid NetSuite values are used.

Method 1: Use the Picklist Panel

Use the Picklist panel to browse and select values from the list.

Open the picklist panel for a list field
Scroll or search the list
Click a value to insert it into the cell

This method is ideal when you want to see all available values.

Method 2: Type Directly into the Sheet

You can also type directly into the cell.

ExtendInsights dynamically resolves picklist values when you:

Enter part of a value
Press Tab or Enter to leave the cell

There’s no need to remember internal IDs, ExtendInsights handles resolution for you.

How Typed Values Are Resolved

When you type a value, ExtendInsights resolves it using the following rules:

✅ Exact Match

If there is one exact match, it is selected automatically.
Partial matches are ignored.

Example:
You enter AAA.
Available values include AAA, AAA BB, AAA CC.
➡️ AAA is selected.

⚠️ Multiple Partial Matches

If there is no exact match and multiple partial matches, the value remains unresolved.
You’ll be prompted to choose a value or enter a more specific term.

Example:
You enter AAA.
Available values include AAA BB, AAA CC.
➡️ Cell remains unresolved.

How to Know If a Picklist Value Is Identified

ExtendInsights provides clear visual indicators in Excel to show whether a picklist value has been successfully resolved.

Use the color of the cell to understand the current status.

Color Indicator	Status	Description
⚪ Grey Cell	Lookup in Progress	ExtendInsights is searching the picklist. The cell turns grey temporarily. Result: If a match is found, the cell returns to white.
🟡 Yellow Cell	Multiple Matches	Multiple possible matches exist. What to do: Select a value from the picklist panel, or Enter a more specific value.
🔴 Red Cell	No Matches Found	No valid picklist value matches the entry. What to do: Enter a valid value, or Use the picklist panel to select one.

ℹ️ When a cell is yellow or red, a message also appears in:

The reserved status column
The ExtendInsights panel

Sample Scenarios

🔵 Scenario 1: Cell Turns Grey During Lookup

When you type a value into a picklist field and press Tab or Enter, ExtendInsights begins searching for a match.

The cell turns grey while the lookup is in progress.
If a valid match is found, the cell returns to white.

Example:
You enter 900 and press Tab.
The cell briefly turns grey, then returns to white once the value is resolved.

🔵 Scenario 2: Cell Turns Yellow (Multiple Matches)

If the entered value is too broad and matches multiple picklist values:

The cell turns yellow.
A notification appears in the reserved column and ExtendInsights panel.

Example:
You enter Income and press Tab.
Multiple values match, so ExtendInsights asks you to:

Choose a value from the picklist panel, or
Enter a more specific term.

🔵 Scenario 3: Cell Turns Red (No Matches)

If no valid picklist value matches the entry:

The cell turns red.
An error message appears in the reserved column and ExtendInsights panel.

What to do:

Enter a valid value, or
Use the picklist panel to select a value.

Advanced Option: Use Internal IDs with Double Brackets

If you already know the NetSuite internal ID for a picklist value, you can enter it directly in the cell using double brackets.

How It Works

Wrap the internal ID in double brackets like this:

[[12345]]

When ExtendInsights sees this format, it:

Skips name-based lookup
Directly maps the value to the correct NetSuite list item

NetSuite recognizes the value by internal ID, even if the display name is not entered.

When to Use This Method

This approach is recommended when:

You are working with large datasets
Picklist values have similar names
You already have internal IDs from:
- Saved Searches
- Lookups
- Analytics reports
You want maximum performance and accuracy