How Do NetSuite Saved Search Absolute Value Functions Differ with SUM?

When configuring a NetSuite saved search with a 'SUM' summary type, the method used to apply absolute values significantly impacts the calculation outcome. When 'Summary type = SUM' is selected and the 'Absolute Value' function is chosen from the dropdown for a column, the system's behavior regarding whether it calculates the absolute value of the sum (i.e., absolute value of the result, post-aggregation) is not explicitly confirmed in current NetSuite documentation. Based on general principles of how functions are applied to columns in NetSuite, this method may apply the absolute value on a per-record basis before summing, similar to the ABS() operator. In contrast, when 'Summary type = SUM' is selected and the ABS() operator is utilized within a formula, NetSuite consistently calculates the sum of the absolute value. This means each individual value is first made absolute, and then these absolute values are summed together. For example, a formula field might look like this:

ABS({amount})

In this scenario, if the original values were -10, 5, -3, the ABS() operator would first convert them to 10, 5, 3, and then the 'SUM' summary type would result in 18.