ANS-0060 · SAVED SEARCHES & FORMULAS
Understanding .internalid vs .id for Multi-Select Fields in NetSuite Saved Searches
When extracting data from NetSuite multi-select fields in saved searches, the .internalid and .id suffixes produce distinct output formats.
Short answer
When used in a NetSuite saved search, parentFieldId.internalid generates a separate result line for each selected ID in a multi-select field. Conversely, parentFieldId.id consolidates all selected IDs onto a single result line, typically separated by commas. The choice depends on the desired output structure for further processing.
Scenario
Users often need to retrieve IDs from multi-select fields within NetSuite saved searches. A common question arises regarding the behavior of .internalid versus .id when appended to a multi-select field's ID in the search results. Understanding this distinction is crucial for correctly structuring data outputs, particularly for custom multi-select fields on custom records.
Solution
When configuring the "Result" section of a NetSuite saved search, the method used to fetch IDs from a multi-select field dictates the output format. When using the form parentFieldId.internalid in the "Result" section of the saved search, the results of the saved search will create a new result line for each internal id. When using the form parentFieldId.id in the "Result" section of the saved search, the results of the saved search will create only one line for that multi select field where the different ids are usually separated with a "," . The appropriate form should be selected based on the specific use case and desired output structure. It is recommended to always validate the saved search results to ensure the output meets the intended requirements.
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