The quick answer
To create a customer in NetSuite, open Lists > Relationships > Customers > New. Choose the customer type, enter the name, and complete the required fields. Save, then check the customer name, status, and subsidiary on the saved record.
Create the customer once, with enough information for the next transaction. This walkthrough focuses on a company customer and confirms the saved record before any orders or invoices are entered. The screenshots use sample data and fictional person and operating-company names.
Before you start
Search for an existing customer first to avoid duplicates. Have the correct company or individual name and required business details ready. Your role needs customer-record access; mandatory fields and subsidiary options vary by form and account.
01. Enter the customer name
Open Lists > Relationships > Customers > New. For a company customer, choose Company and enter Company Name. The example enters Test Company.
Review the customer ID or auto-numbering behavior on your form. The name you enter and the saved customer identifier can differ.
02. Review status and required details
Check Status and, where shown, Subsidiary. The example uses CUSTOMER-Closed Won and Parent Company.
Complete the contact, address, tax, and financial details required for your process. Do not treat every visible field as mandatory. The saved example has no email address; it does not demonstrate an email-ready customer setup.
03. Save and verify the customer
Click Save. The example opens the saved customer 2 Test Company, with Company Name: Test Company.
Check the name, status, and subsidiary, then verify any contact or billing details you entered. A saved customer does not by itself establish that tax, payment terms, or delivery settings are complete.
Check the result
- The saved customer is the intended company or individual.
- Status and subsidiary match the intended use.
- Required contact and billing details are complete for the next transaction.
The customer record is available. Finish any account-specific setup before using it on an estimate, order, or invoice.
Common questions
How do I create a Customer record in NetSuite?
Open a new Customer form, confirm it is in new-record mode, and enter the customer’s company name and any required contact details. Complete any other fields marked required on the selected form, then click Save. You need a role with permission to create Customer records.
Which fields are required when adding a company customer?
At minimum, enter the company name and any required contact details for this workflow. Your account or selected Customer form may also require a customer type, subsidiary, status, currency, tax information, address, or other fields. Requirements vary by form customization, enabled features, OneWorld configuration, and role.
How can I tell whether the Customer record saved successfully?
After selecting Save, NetSuite should display the saved Customer page rather than leaving you on a blank or unsaved form. Verify the company name, any contact information you entered, record details, and any displayed record number or status. A validation, duplicate, or permission message means the save may have failed.
Does saving a Customer send an email or collect payment?
No. Saving a Customer stores the entity’s information; it does not send an email, confirm email delivery, grant customer login access, create a contact, or collect payment. Account-specific workflows, scripts, or notifications could add automation, but those must be configured separately from standard record creation.