ANS-0112 · SAVED SEARCHES & FORMULAS
How to Differentiate Projects vs. Customers in NetSuite Time Saved Searches?
This guide provides a NetSuite saved search formula to help differentiate time entries associated with projects from those linked to standalone customers.
Short answer
To categorize time entries in NetSuite, use the NVL2 function in a saved search formula. This formula checks if a time entry is linked to a project's customer and returns that value; otherwise, it returns the direct customer. This approach aids in accurate reporting and analysis of time allocation.
Scenario
Users often need to categorize time entries accurately, distinguishing between hours spent on specific projects and those allocated to standalone customer accounts. Without a clear method, reporting and analysis of time allocation can become ambiguous, making it difficult to track profitability or resource utilization effectively.
Solution
To differentiate between time entries associated with projects and those linked to standalone customers, a formula can be employed within a NetSuite saved search. The NVL2 function is used to check if a time entry is linked to a job (project). If it is, the formula returns the customer associated with that job; otherwise, it returns the direct customer linked to the time entry. While the NVL2 function remains valid, it is important to note that directly combining {job.customer} and {customer} in a single saved search to distinguish between projects and standalone customers may require careful validation in current NetSuite environments, as field behavior can vary and might necessitate alternative approaches like transaction searches with joins for accurate results. The formula to use is:NVL2({job.customer}, {job.customer}, {customer})
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