How to Make a NetSuite Sublist Field Read-Only Using jQuery (LIST Type)

In NetSuite, when using a LIST-type sublist in a Suitelet, setting a field as disabled prevents updates even from scripts like setSublistValue. However, there are cases where you want a field to appear read-only to the user but still update it via script.

Here’s a simple JavaScript function that makes a specific sublist field read-only using jQuery, without breaking NetSuite’s data binding.

Use Case

You want to:

• Prevent user edits to a currency/text field in a sublist.
• Keep the field updatable via script.
• Apply the change client-side, without altering server-side display types.

Solution

/**
 * Disables the "New Allocation Amount" field in the sublist to prevent user edits.
 * Applies readonly, removes tab focus, and updates background for visual cue.
 *
 * @returns {void}
 */
function disableNewAllocAmtField() {
    try {
        const fieldId = UI_PAGE_FIELDS.SL_NEW_ALLOC_AMT.id; // e.g., "custpage_new_allocation_amt"
        const selector = `input[name^='${fieldId}'][name$='formattedValue']`;


        jQuery(selector).each(function () {
            jQuery(this)
                .attr('readonly', true)
                .attr('tabindex', '-1')
                .css('background-color', '#fafafaff'); // Optional: visual cue
        });
    } catch (e) {
        console.error("Error on disableNewAllocAmtField", e.message);
    }
}

How It Works

• input[name^='custpage_new_allocation_amt'][name$='formattedValue'] matches all input fields rendered for the formatted display of the field in the sublist.
• readonly makes the input uneditable.
• tabindex="-1" removes the field from tab order.
• The light gray background (#f4f4f4f6) gives a visual cue that it’s read-only.

Where to Call It

You should call disableNewAllocAmtField() inside:

• pageInit(context) – when the Suitelet page loads.
• lineInit(context) – if the sublist redraws when a line is selected or added.

Can Use .prop('disabled', true)

You can use:

jQuery("input[name^='custpage_fieldid_']").prop('disabled', true);

Result

• Your field is visually and functionally read-only.
• You can still update it using setSublistValue() or setCurrentSublistValue() from scripts.