The Complete Guide to the NetSuite REST API
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Oracle NetSuite’s REST API offers a modern, efficient way to integrate your workflows with NetSuite. Leveraging JSON, OAuth, and modern web standards, the REST API opens up powerful capabilities for developers and businesses alike.


In this guide, we’ll dive into the specifics of the NetSuite REST API, including its setup, features, and use cases, while exploring advanced querying with SuiteQL, and how tools like Nanonets can scale your NetSuite-driven workflows.

Introduction to the NetSuite REST API

The NetSuite REST API, released in 2019, aims to overcome the complexities of older integration methods like SOAP by offering a more streamlined, JSON-based interface. This API adheres to RESTful principles, simplifying integration with cloud-native applications and enhancing scalability for larger workflows.

With the REST API, you gain access to lightweight data management and improved flexibility for mobile and web-based integrations. However, navigating its nuances—such as data retrieval, complex object structures, and customization for specific use cases—requires a thorough understanding of its setup and structure.

Getting Started with the NetSuite REST API

To make API calls, you’ll need to set up an Integration Record, configure Roles and Permissions, and authenticate with OAuth 1.0a. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Creating an Integration Record

  • Go to Setup > Integration > Manage Integrations > New.
  • Name the integration (e.g., “My REST API Integration”).
  • Enable Token-Based Authentication (TBA).
  • Save to generate the Consumer Key and Consumer Secret needed for authentication.

2. Assigning Roles and Permissions

  • Navigate to Setup > Users/Roles > Access Tokens > New.
  • Choose the created integration and select a user and role (e.g., an admin with API permissions).
  • Generate the Token ID and Token Secret for the application.

3. OAuth 1.0a Setup

NetSuite’s REST API uses OAuth 1.0a for secure authentication. You’ll need the following parameters:

  • Consumer Key
  • Consumer Secret
  • Token ID
  • Token Secret

Here’s a sample REST API call:

import requests
from requests_oauthlib import OAuth1

url = 'https://<account_id>.suitetalk.api.netsuite.com/services/rest/record/v1/customer'
auth = OAuth1('<consumer_key>', '<consumer_secret>', '<token>', '<token_secret>')
response = requests.get(url, auth=auth)
print(response.json())

Sample REST API call.


Key Advantages of the NetSuite REST API

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We've published a detailed comparison between the REST and SOAP APIs, with pros and cons of each - you can find it here.


There are a few advantages due to which many developers prefer the REST API for NetSuite. These are listed below:

JSON payloads are lighter and faster

The REST API communicates via JSON, reducing overhead compared to XML in the SOAP API. This makes REST more accessible, especially for mobile and cloud applications.

Querying is easier with SuiteQL

SuiteQL brings SQL-like querying to NetSuite, streamlining data retrieval across custom and standard fields. Here’s an example of using SuiteQL to fetch vendor data:

url = 'https://<account_id>.suitetalk.api.netsuite.com/services/rest/query/v1/suiteql'
payload = {"q": "SELECT * FROM Vendor WHERE vendorName = 'Test Vendor 2'"}
response = requests.post(url, json=payload, auth=auth)
print(response.json())

Easier to code and debug

REST API payloads are simple to construct and debug, reducing the complexity of handling records in JSON format. Here’s an example to create a Vendor Bill:

url = 'https://<account_id>.suitetalk.api.netsuite.com/services/rest/record/v1/vendorBill'
payload = {
    "entity": {"id": "12345"},
    "lineItems": [
        {"item": {"id": "5678"}, "quantity": 5},
        {"item": {"id": "9012"}, "quantity": 3}
    ]
}
response = requests.post(url, json=payload, auth=auth)
print(response.json())


Disadvantages of the NetSuite REST API

While REST APIs in general are easier to work with, the NetSuite REST API is still not fully mature in terms of usability and many applications still use the legacy SOAP API.

What are the disadvantages of the NetSuite REST API?

Unreliable Documentation

The REST API is not completely scoped out in terms of use cases and documentation support from Oracle's end - and hence you may find some gaps in areas like Saved Searches and looking up transaction records.

No support for Saved Searches

Saved Searches are one of the most useful NetSuite UI features, and extending them to the API has distinct advantages for user customizations. The REST API doesn't support this as of today.


Common Use Cases for the NetSuite REST API

The NetSuite REST API is well-suited for a range of applications, from simple data retrieval to complex workflows across multiple systems. Below are some of the most best ways you can leverage this API:

1. Mobile and Cloud Integrations

The REST API’s lightweight JSON-based structure is ideal for cloud-native and mobile applications. For instance, if your sales team is using CRM applications on mobile, they can quickly retrieve or update NetSuite data on the go. This is particularly useful for:

  • Updating Sales Orders: Sales reps can update sales orders in NetSuite directly from a mobile CRM, ensuring real-time visibility into pipeline data.
  • On-the-Fly Inventory Checks: Retail associates can use mobile devices to check inventory availability in real-time to prevent stockouts or assist with in-store customer queries.
  • Expense Reporting: Field employees can submit expenses via mobile, and the app can sync data with NetSuite’s financial module.

2. Approval Workflows for Accounts Payable and Procurement

Your approval workflows can be customized in NetSuite using SuiteQL and REST API calls to simplify and automate processes. For example:

  • Purchase Order Approval: A REST API integration can send a new PO to the designated approvers based on predefined criteria, notifying them in applications like Slack or Microsoft Teams.
  • Invoice Matching: The REST API enables AP automation tools to match vendor invoices with POs based on custom rules. For instance, only matched invoices that fulfill 3-way matching criteria (PO, invoice, and receipt) are forwarded for payment approval.
  • Budget Approvals: Integrate NetSuite with budgeting platforms or financial planning tools to route budget requests for approval based on spending limits and approvals defined in NetSuite.

3. E-Commerce Integrations for Real-Time Inventory and Order Sync

With the growth of e-commerce, integrating NetSuite with platforms like Shopify, Magento, or WooCommerce is essential for real-time inventory management and order processing. Using the REST API, you can:

  • Synchronize Inventory Data: Ensure inventory data between NetSuite and the e-commerce platform is up-to-date to prevent overselling or stockouts. The REST API can periodically check and sync item quantities.
  • Order Management: Automatically create customer orders in NetSuite when a new order is placed on the e-commerce site, reducing manual entry and errors.
  • Customer Data Sync: Sync customer profiles and order histories between NetSuite and the e-commerce platform, enabling personalized marketing and improved customer service.

4. Custom Reporting and Analytics

SuiteQL, available through the REST API, provides a powerful SQL-like querying tool that allows users to create custom reports and analytics dashboards in real-time. Some common reporting use cases include:

  • Financial and Operational Dashboards: Generate real-time financial reports (e.g., monthly revenue or expense tracking) that update continuously based on NetSuite’s data.
  • Inventory Reports: Pull inventory data to build dashboards that show inventory levels, turnover rates, and trends to inform purchasing decisions.
  • Sales and Customer Analytics: Access sales and customer data to create custom analytics, such as customer lifetime value, churn rate, or product demand forecasting.

5. Enhanced Document Automation

Document automation tools like Nanonets use the REST API to integrate with NetSuite for accounts payable automation, handling document-heavy tasks by automating data entry and approval routing. Key use cases include:

  • Vendor Bill Processing: Automatically extract data from scanned invoices or digital bills and sync it with NetSuite, enabling a streamlined AP workflow.
  • Document Matching: Automate matching of documents such as POs, invoices, and receipts within NetSuite, reducing manual reconciliation.

Scaling with the NetSuite REST API and Nanonets

Moving from a test environment to a full-scale NetSuite API deployment for your business, requires a close focus on performance, automation, and the data layers involved. You will usually find that end-to-end workflow automation tools are often the most effective approach - because these tools streamline the process, and offer a unified environment to manage automation across data layers efficiently.


What does it mean to automate across data layers?

Automating Across 3 Data Layers

  1. Document Layer:
    • This includes processing documents like purchase orders, invoices, bank statements, and receipts. Tools typically use AI-led OCR and machine learning models to extract fields from these documents.
  2. AP Process Layer:
  3. ERP Layer:
    • The ERP layer refers to the data and operations within Oracle NetSuite itself. Using NetSuite’s REST API, these workflow tools can sync in both directions with NetSuite to push or pull data from the system, without compromising the master data in any way.

Conclusion

The NetSuite REST API is designed for flexibility and modern integration, providing JSON payloads, SuiteQL, and broad customization options. By integrating with tools like Nanonets, you can take your NetSuite workflow automation to the next level, reducing manual effort and increasing data accuracy.

Whether you’re building a new integration or enhancing existing workflows, the NetSuite REST API offers the tools you need for effective, scalable automation.