Getting Started with SuiteScript 2.0: Your First Script

NetSuite's SuiteScript 2.0 is a JavaScript-based API that lets developers customize and automate almost every part of the NetSuite platform. Whether you're automating tasks, creating custom workflows, or integrating other systems, SuiteScript 2.0 is your go-to tool.

This guide is ideal for beginners looking to write their first NetSuite script. We'll walk through a real-world example that solves a business problem.

What Is SuiteScript 2.0?

SuiteScript 2.0 offers a modern, modular architecture based on AMD (Asynchronous Module Definition). It is more maintainable and scalable than SuiteScript 1.0.

In this blog, we’ll focus only on SuiteScript 2.x, which is the current and future standard.

NetSuite supports different types of scripts. (See: Types of SuiteScripts in NetSuite)
To get started, we’ll begin with a User Event Script, which runs when a record is created, updated, or deleted.

SuiteScript 2.0 Setup Checklist

Before writing your first script, let’s set up your environment:

1. Enable SuiteScript Features

Go to Setup > Company > Enable Features

Under the SuiteCloud tab:

• ✅ Check Client SuiteScript

• ✅ Check Server SuiteScript

Then, go to Home > Set Preferences, and check the Show Internal IDs box.
This is crucial for developers to find the field and record IDs.

2. Verify Role Permissions

Make sure your role has these permissions:

• Script – Full

• Script Deployment – Full

• File Cabinet – Full

3. Locate Script Management

Go to Customization > Scripting > Scripts to manage your scripts.

4. Use a Proper Code Editor

It’s best to use editors like VS Code, WebStorm, or Sublime Text for syntax highlighting and version control.

Tip: Always test your scripts in a Sandbox account before deploying them in production.

---

Real-World Use Case:

Problem Statement

When an invoice is created, the due date should be automatically set to the last day of the same month as the invoice date.

Example:

• If Invoice Date = July 10, 2025

• Then Due Date should auto-set to July 31, 2025

Why Use a User Event Script?

• You need to calculate the due date dynamically when the record is created

• You need to set the value before the record is saved
  So, a User Event Script with a beforeSubmit function is the best fit.

The User Event Script

/**
 *@NApiVersion 2.0
 *@NScriptType UserEventScript
 */
define(['N/record', 'N/log'], function(record, log) {

  function beforeSubmit(context) {
    if (context.type !== context.UserEventType.CREATE) return;

    var invoice = context.newRecord;
    var invoiceDate = invoice.getText({ fieldId: 'trandate' });

    log.debug("Invoice Date", invoiceDate);

    var dateObj = new Date(invoiceDate);
    var lastDay = new Date(dateObj.getFullYear(), dateObj.getMonth() + 1, 0);

    invoice.setValue({fieldId: 'duedate', value: lastDay});
  }

  return { beforeSubmit };
});

Script Explanation (Simplified)

• @NApiVersion tells NetSuite we’re using SuiteScript 2.0.

• define() is used to load required modules like N/record and N/log.

• The script uses the beforeSubmit event so we can modify the record before it’s saved.

• context.type !== CREATE ensures the script only runs on new invoices.

• trandate is the internal ID of the Invoice Date field.

• We calculate the last day of the month using JavaScript and set it as the due date.

• No need to save the record manually – NetSuite handles that after the beforeSubmit function.

How to Deploy This Script in NetSuite

1. Upload Script

Go to: Customization > Scripting > Scripts > New

• Click the + icon to upload your .js script file from your computer.

• The file will go to the default SuiteScripts folder (you can change it).

2. Create Script Record

• After uploading, click Create Script Record

• NetSuite will auto-detect the script type and version.

• Fill in the Name and optional ID, then click Save and Deploy

3. Deploy the Script

On the deployment screen:

• Select Invoice in the Applies To field

• Set Status to Testing

• Check Deployed

• Set Log Level to Debug (to help with testing)

• Save the deployment

Check the Audience subtab to choose roles, subsidiaries, departments, etc, for which the script should execute.

Testing Your Script

1. Create a new Invoice

2. Leave the Due Date field empty

3. Save the record

4. The Due Date should auto-fill to the last day of that month

If it doesn’t work, check the Execution Log under your script deployment for any errors.

Final Tips

• Use log.debug() to help troubleshoot your script

• Always test in Sandbox before moving to production

• Use clear script and deployment IDs for better tracking

---

💬 Questions?

Drop your questions in the comments. I’ll be happy to help!

Happy SuiteScripting!