CSV column reference

Every column you can put on a sales order export template: what it targets in NetSuite, its level, its format, and an example.

This is the complete set of source fields available in the column picker for a sales order export template. Level tells you whether the value repeats on every row of an order (header) or varies per row (line). Reference columns respect the reference type you set on the column: Internal ID, External ID, name, or raw value.

How reference resolution falls back

When a column is set to Internal ID and the record has none, the export writes the External ID, and then the name, rather than leaving the cell blank. External ID falls back to Internal ID and then name. This keeps files readable, but it also means a blank Internal ID can silently ship a name that NetSuite fails to match.

Identity and grouping

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
external_id	External ID — the line-grouping key	Both	Effectively required	SO-20260810-00042
order_date	Date	Header	Recommended	Configured date format, e.g. 08/10/2026
line_number	Line sequence within the order	Line	Optional	Computed: 1, 2, 3

Customer

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
customer	Customer	Header	Required	Reference. Internal ID, e.g. 1043
customer_parent	Parent customer	Header	Optional	Reference, e.g. 1002
customer_category	Customer category	Header	Optional	List value, e.g. Wholesale
customer_territory	Territory	Header	Optional	Territory name, e.g. Pacific Northwest
taxable	Taxable	Header	Optional	T or F

Addresses

Include these only when you want to override the customer's default NetSuite address. Leaving them out lets NetSuite use the address on the customer record.

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
ship_to	Shipping address label only	Header	Optional	Main Warehouse
bill_to	Billing address label only	Header	Optional	Accounts Payable
ship_addressee	Shipping addressee	Header	Optional	Blue Bottle Cafe
ship_address1	Shipping address line 1	Header	Optional	1200 SE Grand Ave
ship_city	Shipping city	Header	Optional	Portland
ship_state	Shipping state / province	Header	Optional	OR
ship_zip	Shipping zip / postal code	Header	Optional	97214
ship_country	Shipping country	Header	Optional	US
bill_addressee	Billing addressee	Header	Optional	Blue Bottle Cafe AP
bill_address1	Billing address line 1	Header	Optional	PO Box 88
bill_city	Billing city	Header	Optional	Portland
bill_state	Billing state / province	Header	Optional	OR
bill_zip	Billing zip / postal code	Header	Optional	97208
bill_country	Billing country	Header	Optional	US

Order header

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
po_number	PO # / other reference number	Header	Optional	PO-12345
requested_ship_date	Ship date	Header	Optional	08/14/2026
shipping_method	Ship method	Header	Optional	Reference to the shipping_method list
terms	Terms	Header	Optional	Reference to the terms list, e.g. Net 30
memo	Memo	Header	Optional	Free text
sales_rep	Sales rep	Header	Optional	Reference, e.g. 87
price_level	Price level	Header	Optional	Wholesale

Deposits

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
deposit_amount	Customer deposit amount	Header	Optional	250.00
deposit_payment_method	Payment method	Header	Optional	Reference, defaults to name, e.g. Visa
deposit_reference	Deposit reference / check number	Header	Optional	CHK 10422
deposit_memo	Deposit memo	Header	Optional	Free text
deposit_date	Deposit date	Header	Optional	08/10/2026

Order-level discount

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
header_discount_pct	Order discount percentage	Header	Optional	5
header_discount_amt	Order discount amount	Header	Optional	50.00
header_discount_item	Discount item on the transaction	Header	Optional	Reference, e.g. 214
header_discount_rate	Discount rate, signed	Header	Optional	Computed: -5% or -50.00 depending on the discount item
header_discount_account	Discount GL account	Header	Optional	Account reference from the discount item

Lines

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
item	Item	Line	Required	Reference. Internal ID, e.g. 512
item_type	Item type	Line	Optional	inventory, non_inventory, or discount
description	Line description	Line	Optional	Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, 5 lb bag
quantity	Quantity	Line	Required	Number, e.g. 12
units	Units of measure	Line	Optional	Reference, defaults to name, e.g. Case
rate	Rate	Line	Required	Number, e.g. 18.50
amount	Amount	Line	Optional	Computed: quantity × rate
tax_code	Tax code	Line	Optional	Reference, defaults to name, e.g. CA-SF
extended_amount	Amount after line discount	Line	Optional	Computed, e.g. 210.90

Line-level discount

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
line_discount_pct	Line discount percentage	Line	Optional	10
line_discount_amt	Line discount amount	Line	Optional	22.20
line_discount_rate	Discount rate in NetSuite format	Line	Optional	-10% or -22.20, per your discount sign setting
line_discount_applies_to	Scope of the discount	Line	Optional	order or line
line_discount_target_ref	The line the discount applies to	Line	Optional	Reference to the target item
line_discount_account	Discount GL account	Line	Optional	Account reference from the discount item

Accounting segments

Column	NetSuite target	Level	Required	Format / example
subsidiary	Subsidiary	Header	Required on OneWorld	Order value, else the column static value, else the organization default
location	Location	Header	Often required	Same fallback chain as subsidiary
department	Department	Line	Optional	Same fallback chain
class	Class	Line	Optional	Same fallback chain

Custom fields

Custom fields you define appear in the picker with a source key of custom.<key>. Order custom fields are header level; order line custom fields are line level. List-type custom fields resolve through the reference type on the column, checkbox fields export as T or F, and everything else exports its stored value.

custom.delivery_window   →   header column
custom.lot_number        →   line column

External ID is not optional in practice

It is the column NetSuite groups rows by. Without it, every row of a multi-line order becomes its own Sales Order. Keep it in every sales order template.

How External IDs are generated

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