The quick answer
Go to Home > Set Preferences, select Show Internal IDs on General, and save. Reopen the field’s help window to see its identifier. A field ID names the field; it is different from the numeric internal ID of a particular record.
The screenshots show sample data. Person and operating-company names are fictional. Use your own records and values when following the steps.
Before you start
Use your own NetSuite login. The Show Internal IDs preference must be available in your account. This example inspects Only Show Last Subaccount without changing that setting. Use the identifier and casing required by the API you’re working with; the help display alone isn’t an API specification. If the option is absent, ask an administrator to check the qualifying feature configuration, such as SuiteFlow or SuiteScript.
01. Open your preferences
Open the Home menu and select Set Preferences. On General, find the Defaults section. This is a user preference, so saving it doesn’t change another person’s settings.
02. Compare the original field help
With Show Internal IDs cleared, click the Only Show Last Subaccount label to open its help. The initial window explains the setting but shows no Field ID. Close the help window without changing the subaccount checkbox.
03. Save Show Internal IDs
Select Show Internal IDs, then Save. Return to Set Preferences and check that it stayed selected. Leave the other preferences unchanged.
04. Reopen help and read the identifier
Click the same Only Show Last Subaccount label again. The new help window displays Field ID: ONLYSHOWLASTSUBACCT. Reopening matters: the earlier window won’t prove that the saved preference took effect.
Check the result
- Show Internal IDs remains selected after saving.
- A newly opened help window displays the field identifier.
- Only Show Last Subaccount itself is unchanged.
Common questions
How do I enable Show Internal IDs in NetSuite?
Go to Home > Set Preferences, open General, select Show Internal IDs under Defaults, and click Save. Then reopen the field help window; the preference is saved for the current user and may be unavailable or located differently depending on the account, role, and enabled features.
How do I reveal a field ID?
After saving Show Internal IDs, reopen the relevant page and click the field’s help label, not its checkbox or input control. The Field Help window may then display the identifier, such as ONLYSHOWLASTSUBACCT; close and reopen an already-open help window because it may not refresh automatically.
Why is the Field ID still missing?
The field may not expose an identifier in that interface, or the account’s features, permissions, custom form, role, or page configuration may differ. Confirm that Show Internal IDs remains selected, reopen Field Help, and use the identifier and capitalization displayed by the relevant interface.
Is a field ID the same as a record internal ID?
No. A field ID identifies a field, such as a custom field or form control; a record internal ID identifies a specific customer, transaction, or other record. Show Internal IDs can expose both in supported areas, but the availability and display depend on the account and user’s access.