The quick answer
Go to Home > Set Preferences > Analytics. Under Search, select Show List When Only One Result and save. Rerun the same applicable detail saved search as the same user. The example keeps its one employee match in a results grid instead of opening the employee record directly.
In this illustrative replay, Employee Review uses Name is Morgan Hale to return one accessible employee. Opening the record skips the saved search’s result columns. The same user runs the same search twice: first it opens the employee record, then it shows a one-row list after the preference is saved.
Person and operating-company names in the screenshots are fictional example data. Use your own records and values.
Before you start
Use a detail Employee saved search with no summary results that returns exactly one underlying employee record you can view. Keep the search criteria and user constant. Use a unique identifier when setting up your own test; duplicate joined rows can complicate the result. This example does not establish behavior for summary searches, global search, or zero or multiple matches. You need permission to run the saved search and view the underlying employee. Employee Review and Morgan Hale are example values; use an equivalent search and record in your account.
01. Confirm the single-record search
Open your chosen detail Employee saved search (the replay uses Employee Review) and inspect the criteria and non-summary results. The example uses Name is Morgan Hale. Your test should return exactly one accessible employee record; keep this search unchanged for both runs.
02. Run the baseline search
Run the search with Show List When Only One Result off. In this example, the search opens Morgan Hale’s employee record directly. If your search already displays a list, check the current preference and search context before continuing. Direct opening depends on the search type and record access.
03. Save the personal search preference
Open Home > Set Preferences, select Analytics, and find Search. Check Show List When Only One Result, then click Save. Reopen preferences if needed to confirm it persisted. This setting belongs to the current user context.
04. Rerun the unchanged search
Run Employee Review again as the same user without changing its criteria. Confirm Total: 1, the Morgan Hale row, and the expected result columns. The employee remains the same; the search now retains its results grid. To return to the previous behavior, clear the preference, save, and repeat the same test.
Check that the preference saved and the unchanged detail search displays its one employee in the expected grid. If the result differs, check summary columns, joins, criteria, record access, account behavior, and whether you changed user context.
Common questions
Why does a saved search open the record instead of a list?
When an applicable search returns one accessible record and Show List When Only One Result is cleared, NetSuite can open that record directly. This example tests a detail Employee saved search with one underlying employee.
Where is Show List When Only One Result?
Go to Home > Set Preferences, open Analytics, and find the Search section. Select Show List When Only One Result, then save.
Does the preference change my saved search criteria?
No. The preference changes how the result is displayed. Keep the same criteria and result columns for the comparison.
Do other users get the same behavior?
This is a personal preference for the current user. Another user may still open a single record directly. Use the same login for both test runs.
What should I check if the result still opens directly?
Confirm the preference saved for the current user and that you reran the same accessible detail search. Check summary columns, joins, changed criteria, permissions, and account behavior.
Does this walkthrough establish behavior for every search?
No. It tests one underlying Employee record in a detail saved search. It does not establish behavior for summary searches, global search, or searches with zero or multiple matches.