Dataset Builder
The Dataset Builder appears after you select a root record type for a new dataset, or if you click the dataset name in the Dataset Panel of a workbook. On this tab you combine record types, fields, and criteria filters to create queries. The results of these queries are the basis for all workbook visualizations in your account.
On the Dataset Builder, your query results are displayed in a tabular format in the Data Grid on the right. Record types, fields, custom formula fields, and configuration options appear in the Records and Fields lists on the left. Only fields that are included in the Data Grid can be used to build workbook visualizations such as pivot tables and charts.
Above the Data Grid is the Criteria Builder where you create criteria filters to refine the results displayed in the grid. Criteria filters impact not only your dataset query results but also the data presented in workbook visualizations that are based on the dataset.
To build your dataset, drag fields from the Fields list to the Data Grid. To create a filter condition, drag fields from the Fields list or the Data Grid to the Criteria Builder. On the grid itself, you can sort and filter the values that are presented. After you create your query, you have multiple options to apply or preview the results in a workbook.
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For information about how to use the Dataset Builder to create a query, see Defining a Dataset.
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For information about creating criteria filters to refine your query results, see Dataset Criteria Filters.
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For information about creating a workbook based on your dataset query results, see Creating a Workbook.
The elements of the Dataset Builder are identified in the image below:
The appearance of the Dataset Builder varies slightly if you access it from within a workbook or on its own. See the following table for more information.

1 |
Dataset Information |
2 |
Undo, Redo, and Refresh — Undo or redo your latest edits, and refresh the data in the Data Grid. |
3 |
Search — Search for record types and fields using keywords, field labels, or internal field IDs. The search is performed against the root record type and record types that are three joins away from the root record type. To search against other record types, click Show more results. |
4 |
Records list — Lists all the related record types that you have access to, based on the root record type selected for the dataset. Any record type with a number listed beside it indicates how many fields from that record type are in the Data Grid. You can perform the following actions from the Records list:
Note:
By default, record types and fields are listed in alphabetical order except if you are in a transaction dataset. In a transaction dataset, the transaction line and transaction accounting line record types are listed at the top of the Records list.
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5 |
Fields list — The Fields list displays all the fields that you have access to for the record type you currently have selected in the Records list. If you click Formulas in the Records list, the Fields list displays any custom formula fields created for the dataset. At the top of the Fields list, any fields from the selected record type that have been added to the Data Grid are highlighted and listed in alphabetical order. Fields that are used in a criteria filter are highlighted but are not included at the top of the list. Next to each field, the following icons are used to provide additional information:
Using the Fields list, you can perform the following actions:
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6 |
Criteria Builder — The Criteria Builder displays the criteria filters you have created for the dataset in the order that they are applied to the Data Grid, as well as the operators that connect them. For example, the filters “Cleared is true AND Status any of Open, Paid In Full” means the values of the cleared field are evaluated first, followed by the values of the status field. Criteria filters refine your dataset query results and are automatically propagated to any workbook visualizations that are based on the dataset. For example, if you create a criteria filter to remove all invoices from your dataset, invoice data is also removed from any connected workbook visualizations. You can add filters to the Criteria Builder by dragging fields from the Fields list to the builder, then setting the specific filter conditions in the Filter window. Alternatively, you can drag a column header from the Data Grid to the Criteria Builder. For more information, see Dataset Criteria Filters. Within the Criteria Builder, you can perform the following actions:
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7 |
Data Grid — Your dataset query results are displayed in the Data Grid. By default, the grid displays preselected fields based on the root record type selected for the dataset. You can add fields to the grid by double-clicking them on the Fields list, or dragging them to the grid. The number of rows displayed on each page of the grid is based on the Number of Rows in List Segments setting in your NetSuite user preferences, to a maximum of 500 rows per page. Only fields that are included on the grid can be used in workbook visualizations that are based on the dataset. On the grid itself, you can perform the following actions:
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8 |
Create New Workbook/ Apply to Workbook — Click Create New Workbook to create a workbook based on the current dataset. If you accessed the dataset from within an existing workbook, click Apply to Workbook to apply your dataset changes to the workbook visualiations before saving them. This feature enables you to preview the impact that your dataset changes will have before saving the connected workbook. |
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Export — Click Export and choose one of the following options:
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Share — Share your dataset with individual users or roles. For more information about sharing, see Accessing and Sharing Workbooks and Datasets |
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Save — Save your dataset, including any joined record types, custom formula fields, or criteria filters. If you do not own the dataset you are working in, you must save a copy of the dataset using the Save As function. |
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Learn about Analytics — Click Learn about Analytics to open a panel that lists all SuiteAnalytics Workbook videos as well as a description. To view a video, click the thumbnail and it will open in a new window. |
13 |
Real-Time / Cached Response — If you are experiencing long load times for your datasets or workbooks using your datasets, you can enable Cached Data in Datasets. For more information, see Optimized Data Refresh. |