What is SuiteScript? Complete Beginner’s Guide with Examples (2025)

When companies run NetSuite, they often discover that the standard features don’t fully match their processes. That’s where SuiteScript comes in.

SuiteScript is NetSuite’s JavaScript-based API that lets you customize, automate, and extend the platform. With SuiteScript, you can build custom business logic, add validations, automate workflows, and even integrate NetSuite with other systems.

🔹 Why Use SuiteScript?

• Automation – Remove repetitive tasks (e.g., auto-set fields, send emails).
• Customization – Build rules specific to your business (validation, workflows).
• Integration – Connect NetSuite with Shopify, Salesforce, PayPal, etc.
• Scalability – Handle large datasets with Map/Reduce scripts.

🔹 SuiteScript Versions (1.0 vs 2.0 vs 2.1)

• SuiteScript 1.0 → Older, procedural style.
• SuiteScript 2.0 → Modular, cleaner, reusable code.
• SuiteScript 2.1 → Modern JavaScript (ES6+ features like let, const, async/await).

💡 Tip: Always start new projects in SuiteScript 2.1.

🔹 Types of SuiteScripts in NetSuite

1. Client Scripts – Run in the browser, validate user input.
2. User Event Scripts – Run on record actions (create, edit, delete).
3. Scheduled Scripts – Automate jobs at set times.
4. Map/Reduce Scripts – Handle massive data processing.
5. Suitelets – Create custom UIs (forms, reports).
6. RESTlets – Build custom APIs for integration.

🔹 Example 1: Auto-Set a Field (Client Script)

Automatically fill the memo field on a Sales Order when the page loads.

/**
 *@NApiVersion 2.1
 *@NScriptType ClientScript
 */
define(['N/currentRecord'], (currentRecord) => {
    const pageInit = () => {
        const rec = currentRecord.get();
        rec.setValue({
            fieldId: 'memo',
            value: 'Generated by Script'
        });
    };
    return { pageInit };
});

🔹 Example 2: Send Email When Customer is Created (User Event)

/**
 *@NApiVersion 2.1
 *@NScriptType UserEventScript
 */
define(['N/email', 'N/runtime'], (email, runtime) => {
    const afterSubmit = (context) => {
        if (context.type === context.UserEventType.CREATE) {
            const newRecord = context.newRecord;
            const customerName = newRecord.getValue('companyname');

            email.send({
                author: runtime.getCurrentUser().id,
                recipients: 'admin@company.com',
                subject: 'New Customer Created',
                body: `A new customer (${customerName}) has been added to NetSuite.`
            });
        }
    };
    return { afterSubmit };
});

🔹 Real-World Use Cases of SuiteScript

• Sales Order Automation – Automatically apply discounts or shipping fees.
• Inventory Management – Auto-create item fulfillment when stock is updated.
• Finance – Custom GL plugins for advanced accounting rules.
• EDI Integration – Automate sending/receiving orders with trading partners.
• Custom UI – Suitelets for expense reports, approval forms, dashboards.

🔹 FAQs About SuiteScript

1. Is SuiteScript difficult to learn?
👉 If you know JavaScript, SuiteScript is straightforward. Most challenges are NetSuite-specific APIs.

2. Can I use SuiteScript to integrate with external apps?
👉 Yes! Use RESTlets for custom APIs or SFTP to transfer files.

3. Do I need SuiteScript for all NetSuite customizations?
👉 No. For simple workflows, SuiteFlow may be enough. Use SuiteScript when logic is complex.

4. Does SuiteScript cost extra?
👉 No. It’s included with your NetSuite account, but developer/consultant expertise may add cost.

✅ Key Takeaway

SuiteScript is the backbone of NetSuite customization. Whether you’re a beginner writing your first field validation or an advanced developer building large-scale integrations, SuiteScript unlocks NetSuite’s full potential.

👉 Ready to start coding? Check out Client Script Basics to write your first interactive script.