The quick answer
On the work order click Create Build, lower Quantity to Build to the part you can build now and save. To take units back, open the assembly build, click Unbuild, enter the quantity and save. The work order's Related Records tab lists every Assembly Build and Assembly Unbuild with its quantity, and its Unbuilt field totals the units unbuilt. NetSuite does not let you unbuild more than the build still holds: with 5 built and 2 unbuilt, entering 4 gives "Unbuild Quantity Exceeded".
The example is a small bicycle parts company. Work order WO2118 is for 10 WS-310 Trail Hub Sets. The line only has capacity for 5 this week, so the planner builds 5, then returns 2 that fail a bench check. The screenshots use sample data, and the person and company names are fictional.
Before you start
This applies to a non-WIP work order, one built with an Assembly Build and no routing. The Related Records tab, the Unbuilt field and the unbuild quantity checks were introduced in release 2026.1. Check component availability and required inventory detail at the selected location before saving a build. Bins, lots, serial numbers, inventory status and account settings can affect whether it saves. An unbuild removes finished assemblies and returns components at the relevant location; check the transaction location and inventory detail before saving. Quantity defaults, Buildable values and tab presentation can vary by release, form, role and account configuration. Enter the quantity explicitly.
01. Build part of the work order
Open WO2118. The status is In Process, Quantity is 10, Built is 0 and Buildable is 10.
Click Create Build. The Assembly Build opens with the order's Buildable quantity, 10. Change Quantity to Build to 5. The Components subtab follows the quantity: 5 axle blanks, 10 bearing sets and 5 hub shells. Click Save.
NetSuite saves assembly build ASSYB412 for 5, created from the work order.
Open the work order again. Built is 5, Buildable is 5 and the status stays In Process.
02. Unbuild part of the build
Two hub sets fail a bench check. Open the Related Records tab on WO2118 and click the date on the ASSYB412 line, or open ASSYB412 directly. The action bar has Edit, Back and Unbuild. Click Unbuild. The Assembly Unbuild form shows ASSYB412 in Created From and, in this example, opens with the build's quantity, 5. Your account may leave the quantity blank. Enter 1 in Quantity to Unbuild and save. That creates ASSYU21.
Open ASSYB412 again through the Created From link on the saved unbuild, and repeat for a second unit to create ASSYU22.
03. Read the history on the work order
Back on WO2118 in this example, Built still shows 5 and the Unbuilt field shows 2, so units that were built and returned stay visible.
Open the Related Records tab. It lists the Assembly Build ASSYB412 with quantity 5 and the Assembly Unbuilds ASSYU21 and ASSYU22 with quantity 1 each. Each date is a link to the transaction.
Check the result
- Built is 5 and Unbuilt is 2.
- One Assembly Build line shows 5.
- Two Assembly Unbuild lines show 1 each.
04. See the unbuild limit
Open ASSYB412 and click Unbuild once more. Only 3 of the 5 are left, because 2 were already unbuilt. In this example the form opens with 5 and no warning; it may be blank in your account. Change Quantity to Unbuild to 4. A Warning band appears: "Unbuild Quantity Exceeded: For Work Order #WO2118, only 3 items are available to unbuild." Lower the quantity to 3 or less to continue. A related quantity restriction can also apply when editing a build below the quantity already unbuilt; that edit is not part of this walkthrough.
Common questions
Can I build part of a work order and build the rest later?
Yes, for a non-WIP work order. Click Create Build, lower Quantity to Build and save. The work order stays In Process and each build is a separate Assembly Build record against it.
Where do I see all the builds and unbuilds for a work order?
On the work order's Related Records tab, which replaced the Builds tab in release 2026.1. It lists each Assembly Build and Assembly Unbuild with its date, number and quantity.
How do I unbuild part of a build?
Open the assembly build, click Unbuild, enter the quantity and save. You can unbuild the same build more than once as long as the total stays within what was built.
What does "Unbuild Quantity Exceeded" mean?
The quantity you entered is larger than the build still holds. Here, 2 units have already been unbuilt from ASSYB412, leaving 3 available against that build. Enter a quantity NetSuite allows for the selected build and inventory context. This example does not establish how the limit aggregates across other builds.
Can I reduce the quantity of a build that was partly unbuilt?
A related restriction can stop you reducing a build below its already-unbuilt quantity. This walkthrough does not edit the build; verify the restriction in your account before changing an existing build.
What does the Unbuilt field on the work order show?
The total quantity unbuilt from the assembly builds related to that work order.
Does this work for WIP work orders?
This guide covers non-WIP work orders. WIP processes generally use Work Order Issue and Work Order Completion, with Work Order Close where applicable. The exact sequence depends on routing, enabled features and account configuration.