When deploying Suitelets for external access in NetSuite—such as customer portals, vendor forms, or public data entry tools—developers often encounter issues where the external URL fails to load properly. One critical and frequently overlooked requirement is setting the correct External Role for the Online Form User on the Suitelet deployment page.
The Role of the External Role in Suitelet Access
Suitelets that are accessed via an external URL (i.e., outside of NetSuite’s standard UI) must be associated with a role that is marked as “External.” NetSuite uses this role to determine the permissions and visibility for the user session when accessing the Suitelet through a public-facing link.
Even if an Online Form User has already been assigned an external role on their customer or vendor record, NetSuite does not automatically pick that role for Suitelet access. You must explicitly set it in the Suitelet deployment settings.
How to Configure It Correctly
1. Navigate to the Suitelet Deployment:
Go to Customization > Scripting > Script Deployments, then open the relevant Suitelet deployment.
2. Set the Correct Role:
In the deployment record, locate the “Available Without Login” or “External Available” section.
Ensure that the External Role assigned to the Online Form User is selected under the “Audience > Roles” section.
3. Deploy and Test:
Save the deployment and test the external URL. It should now load successfully for users with the selected external role.
This step is crucial for Suitelet-based external interactions. Without explicitly assigning the external role in the deployment, even valid users with correct access won’t be able to load the Suitelet via its external URL.