📖 Appendix D: SuiteFlow Glossary

Action

A task or operation performed at a specific point in a workflow. Examples: Set Field Value, Send Email, Create Record. Actions answer the question "What should be done?"

After Field Edit

Client trigger that occurs when a field's value changes and user leaves the field. Used to update dependent fields dynamically.

After Record Submit

Server trigger that occurs after a record is committed to the database. Used for creating related records, sending emails, and navigation.

Before Record Load

Server trigger that occurs before record form is returned to user's browser. Preferred trigger for setting field defaults and display characteristics.

Client Trigger

Event that occurs on the user's computer within their web browser. Examples: Before User Edit, Before Field Edit, Before User Submit.

Condition

Criteria that must evaluate to TRUE for a workflow, action, or transition to execute. Created using the Visual Builder.

Display Persistence

The concept that certain form-level actions (like Set Field Display Type) are not stored in the database and must re-execute each time a record loads to maintain their effect.

Entry Trigger

State-level server trigger that occurs the first time a record enters a specific state. Actions execute only once when entering the state.

Event Type

Filter that controls when workflows, actions, and transitions execute based on specific user events (Create, Edit, View, Copy, Print). Only available for server triggers.

Join

The ability to access related record field data in workflow conditions. Example: Access customer fields from a sales order workflow.

Modular Design

Best practice of breaking workflow processing into multiple focused workflows rather than one monolithic workflow. Improves maintenance and troubleshooting.

Server Trigger

Event that occurs on the NetSuite server rather than in the user's browser. Examples: Before Record Load, Before Record Submit, After Record Submit.

State

Represents a specific point in the workflow where the record "lives." States contain actions and transitions. Answer the question "Where is the record in the business process?"

Transition

Defines the path between states in a workflow. Can contain conditions that determine if the transition should occur. Answers the question "Which state should the workflow move to next?"

Trigger

Specific event that controls when workflows initiate, actions execute, or transitions occur. Two types: client triggers (browser) and server triggers (NetSuite server).

Visual Builder

NetSuite tool for creating conditions without coding. Allows you to define left side (field to compare), operator (comparison type), and right side (value to compare against).

Workflow Manager

Visual interface for creating and managing workflows in NetSuite. Contains workspace (center), context panel (right), and toolbar (top).

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