The quick answer
Use a Transaction saved search with Type = Sales Order and the qualifying item lines. Set Internal ID and Document Number to Group, remove the ordinary Item result, and add Formula (Text) with Summary Type = Maximum:
NS_CONCAT({item})
For spaces after commas, use REPLACE(NS_CONCAT({item}), ',', ', ').
The Item field returns display names in the observed configuration. Verify the values returned in your account before relying on this list.
Grouping identifies each order. NS_CONCAT combines the values from its qualifying lines. If Item remains a grouped result, each distinct order/item combination becomes a separate summary group.
Before you start
You need permission to create or edit a Transaction saved search and access to its sales-order lines. The recording edits an illustrative existing search named Sales Order Item Summary, using short, comma-free ordinary item names.
Its criteria are Type = Sales Order, with Main Line, Tax Line, Shipping Line and COGS Line all No. Review those criteria before changing the results. Main Line Yes removes the detail population this formula needs. A line-level Item criterion can also remove other items before concatenation. Use the line-scope filters available in your account and confirm the preview contains the intended item lines. Extra joins or line criteria can exclude or multiply rows.
01. Inspect the item lines
Open the existing search results. In the recording, six qualifying lines belong to two orders:
- SO8611: Harness Kit, Mount Plate, Harness Kit.
- SO8612: Guard Rail, Anchor Set, Safety Cover.
Harness Kit appears on two separate lines. Keep that repetition when checking the final list.
02. Check the grouping key
Click Edit this Search, review the criteria, then open Results > Columns. Set Summary Type = Group on Internal ID, Document Number and Item. Commit each row with OK, then click Preview.
In the illustrative data, this produces five item groups. Both Harness Kit lines occupy one summary group; the underlying order lines have not changed. SO8611 still has separate Harness Kit and Mount Plate groups, so the search has not produced one item list per order.
03. Concatenate the items
Return to criteria and Results > Columns. Select the Item result and click Remove. Keep Internal ID and Document Number set to Group.
Add Formula (Text) with Summary Type = Maximum. Open its formula popup and enter:
NS_CONCAT({item})
Click Set, enter Items in Summary Label, and commit the new row with Add. The three result columns are:
- Internal ID: Group.
- Document Number: Group.
- Formula (Text): Maximum, with Summary Label Items.
Preview again. In the example, the two order groups now contain all six item-line values, including Harness Kit twice for SO8611. The displayed sequence is not a guaranteed sales order line order.
04. Format and save
Return to criteria, reopen Results and edit the formula. Use:
REPLACE(NS_CONCAT({item}), ',', ', ')
Click Set, commit with OK, then click Save. This updates the existing search and returns to its results. Use Save As if you need a separate copy.
Verify the same two example orders and all their item values. SO8611 still contains Harness Kit twice. The saved example now separates values with comma-space.
Compare the result with representative orders in your account. Check longer lists and the intended report or export surface before relying on complete output.
Common questions
Why do I still get several rows per sales order?
Check every Group result column. Item or another line-varying field can split one order into several groups. This example removes Item and groups only Internal ID and Document Number before concatenating the item values.
Does Maximum concatenate the items?
NS_CONCAT performs the concatenation. Maximum is the summary setting used for the Formula (Text) result in this configuration. Keep the order identity columns grouped and remove the ordinary Item grouping.
Does NS_CONCAT remove duplicates or preserve line order?
In the illustrative data, Harness Kit appears twice because it occurs on two qualifying lines. No distinct-value expression is used. Do not treat the displayed sequence as a guaranteed line order or assume result sorting controls the sequence inside the list.
What if an item name contains a comma?
REPLACE changes every comma, including one inside an item name. That can make the list ambiguous. This example uses comma-free names. Use structured line data when another system needs reliable parsing.
Will every long item list fit?
This walkthrough establishes no fixed capacity or unlimited-output guarantee. Test representative long orders on the actual output surface, including any export, and compare with their source lines. A short list that displays correctly does not prove longer output is complete.