NetLoan - AI Sidebar setup

Overview

The NetLoan AI Sidebar is a built-in assistant that runs inside NetSuite. You don't need any external connectors or integrations. It opens from the AI Assistant button and helps users build, refine, run, and explain query reports in plain language. This article covers the prerequisites, the one-time setup, the permissions involved, how to open the sidebar, and some example prompts.

The sidebar is scoped to NetLoan reporting

The AI Sidebar is available on the Query Reports page and on the NetLoan Report record. It answers questions about NetLoan reports and data. It is not a general-purpose NetSuite assistant.

Prerequisites

Administrator (one-time setup)

A role with Full access to the NetLoan Global Settings custom record, such as an Accounting Manager or System Administrator role. See NetLoan - Roles and Permissions Setup.
Access to NetLoan > NetLoan Setup > System Setup.

End users

Standard NetLoan access with permission to view the Reports area.
Report results honor your NetSuite permissions and record restrictions, so you only see data you already have access to.

What a user can do with the sidebar depends on their NetLoan Report custom record permission:

NetLoan Report permission	What the user can do in the AI Sidebar
View	Open and run saved reports, apply existing filters, and ask questions about results
Edit	All of the above, plus build new reports and refine existing ones
Full	All of the above, plus delete non-standard reports

Step-by-step process

Enable the AI Assistant feature

Navigate to NetLoan > NetLoan Setup > System Setup.
Open the System Features subtab.
Check the AI Assistant box.
Click Save.

Activate AI and connect your account

In NetLoan > NetLoan Setup > System Setup, open the AI Settings subtab.
Click Enable AI Features.
Review the Netgain AI Features terms and conditions and click Accept.
A Client ID and Client Secret are generated for your account. They are stored securely in NetSuite and used to track your account's AI usage. Click Enable & Connect.

After you connect, the AI Settings subtab shows the connection status and your current usage.

Both steps are required

The AI Assistant checkbox only controls whether the button appears. The sidebar won't respond until an administrator has also completed the AI Settings activation.

Open the AI Sidebar

The record button requires side navigation

On the NetLoan Report record, the AI Assistant button only appears when Hide Side Navigation is unchecked on the General subtab of NetLoan > NetLoan Setup > System Setup.

Query Reports page: Navigate to NetLoan > Reports > Query Reports and click AI Assistant. Use this page to build, refine, run, and explain reports. Results show on the page automatically.
NetLoan Report record: Open a NetLoan Report record in view, edit, or create mode and click AI Assistant. Use this page for help configuring the report record or understanding its fields.

Start a conversation in either of two ways:

Topics- Select a pre-set topic at the top of the sidebar.
- Query Reports page: Build a new report, Refine this report, Explain these results
- NetLoan Report record: Help with report configuration, Explain report fields
Chat box - Type a question or request at the bottom of the sidebar.

Example prompts

Goal	Example prompt
Build a new report	"Build a report of all commenced loans with their outstanding principal, grouped by loan officer."
Open a saved report	"Run the commenced loans report."
Refine the open report	"Add a column for maturity date." / "Filter to active loans."
Narrow results with existing filters	"Show only loans for subsidiary US East."
Add a filter	"Add a multi-select filter for loan type to this report."
Explain results	"Why does this loan appear twice?" / "What's driving this total?"
Understand a report record	"Explain what each field on this report does."

Limitations / callouts

Only the report open on the page can be changed. To change a different report, open it first or ask the assistant to open it by name.
The assistant asks for confirmation before it removes anything, such as columns you asked for, existing filters, or a report. Standard NetLoan reports can't be deleted.
Filters the assistant creates apply only to that report and are removed if the report is deleted.
On the NetLoan Report record, the assistant prepares a pre-filled, unsaved report. Click Save to keep it. The link it gives you expires after one hour.
On very large reports, the assistant works from the row count and a sample of rows rather than the full output.
The assistant does not schedule exports or share reports with other users or roles.
Check AI usage on the AI Settings subtab.

Always verify AI output

AI can make mistakes. Review report definitions and results before you rely on them for accounting decisions.

Troubleshooting

Issue	What to check
The AI Assistant button doesn't appear	Make sure AI Assistant is checked on the System Features subtab and that your NetLoan bundle is up to date. The button only shows on the Query Reports page and the NetLoan Report record.
The AI Assistant button appears on the Query Reports page but not on the NetLoan Report record	Navigate to NetLoan > NetLoan Setup > System Setup and open the General subtab. Make sure the Hide Side Navigation box is unchecked. On the NetLoan Report record, the AI Assistant button only appears when side navigation is turned on.
The sidebar opens but doesn't respond	Make sure an administrator has completed activation on the AI Settings subtab. If the subtab shows the account as disconnected, follow the prompt there to reconnect.
A report can't be saved or deleted	Check the user's NetLoan Report permission level (see Prerequisites).
A report run fails or times out	Ask the assistant for a narrower report definition. It explains the error and suggests changes.