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Working with Templates: What is ExtendInsights Template and how to build one?
Working with Templates: What is ExtendInsights Template and how to build one?

ExtendInsights Data Management | Learn what ExtendInsights template is and how to build from scratch

Updated over a week ago

Overview


What Are Templates?

ExtendInsights Data Management uses templates to map NetSuite records and fields to Excel. The add-In allows fields to be selected via an easy-to-use interface. When a template is loaded on a Worksheet it becomes an Excel table.

Using Prebuilt Templates

Want to save time and not want to create a template from scratch? Use the Prebuilt template within the app.

Step 1: Enable Start with a Template then select Search and Download with Template or Create New Record with a Template.

πŸ’‘ Note: You can use these pre-built templates as is or edit them and add or remove any fields you want. Once you edit them these templates will be saved to your profile and they would be visible under My Templates section.


Building Templates from Scratch

Create New Records

If you want to create a brand new template and enter data to send to NetSuite. Choose the Create New Records.

Step 1: To build a new template, make sure that the template toggle button is turned off. Click Create New Records.

Step 2: Type or scroll to select the NetSuite Record or Transaction the template will be associated with. In the example below a template will be created for Journal Entry.

Step 3: Select the fields you want to add to the Template. You can type in any part of the field name or scroll to locate it. Tick the box beside the name and hit Add fields to add them to the template,

To add more, click the + button on the panel.

Step 3: Click Continue then Select Yes, note that loading the template will clear out any data that you have on your current worksheet.

Step 4: Toggle the Save As Template button, to save the template and click the Save and Enter Data button to load the template to your worksheet.

Search and Download

If you want to create a template and retrieve data from NetSuite use the Search and Download option.

Step 1: Click the Search and Download button.

Step 2: Type or scroll to select the NetSuite Record or Transaction the template will be associated with. ExtendInsights Data Management even supports Custom Records. In the example below a template will be created for Vendor Bill.

Step 3: Select the fields you want to add to the Template. You can type in any part of the field name or scroll to locate it. Tick the box beside the name and hit Add fields to add them to the template,

To add more, click the + button on the panel.

Step 3: Click Continue then Select Yes, note that loading the template will clear out any data that you have on your current worksheet.

Step 4: To apply a filter, turn on the Apply Filters button. You can choose to pull using existing Saved Search or create rules from the ExtendInsights panel.

Toggle the Save As Template button, to save the template, and click the Save and Download button to load the template to your worksheet.


Template Building Tips

πŸ’‘ Tip 1: Check for the fields NetSuite field IDs

When creating an ExtendInsights Excel template, the display name that appears on the record in NetSuite may be different than the field ID. The field ID is what is initially displayed in the template field list. If you are not sure of the field ID open the record in NetSuite.

To find the field ID simply click on the display name once you see the ? sign and scroll down to the bottom. The field ID will be displayed. Once your template is loaded you can change the name of the field in the table header to make this easier for your end-users.

πŸ’‘ Tip 2: Required fields

ExtendInsights Data Management respects the required fields of the form selected (or the default form if a custom form was not selected). To see which fields are required refer to your NetSuite form (create a blank new record). Enter a value in the entity field and press tab.

Fields with an asterisk that are empty are required. Fields with an asterisk that is pre-filled have default values, leaving this empty in ExtendInsights Excel during an upload will result in the default value being populated.

Save time and leave these values empty if you plan on uploading default values.


ExtendInsights Workspace

Once a template is loaded into Excel it can be used to retrieve and/or update data from NetSuite. It can even create new NetSuite records and delete records using Excel.

Template Structure

Let's know the different parts of the template.

Watch the video here!

  • Row 1 - Mapping Syntax

    Row 1 is reserved to hold the names of the NetSuite fields and should not be edited unless you are a power user (the names are hidden but can be exposed by clicking in a cell on Row 1).

  • Row 2 - Table Headers

    Table headers (Row 2) can be freely edited to make the field names more user-friendly.

  • Picklist Selection

    We have redesigned the picklist panel so that users can select values for a select field. Click here to learn more about this feature.

  • Reserved field for Error Messages (Column A)

    Column A is the container of the error messages when sending data to NetSuite. See different error color-coded notifications and learn their differences.

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