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“Supermetrics is a Bitter Experience! We can pull data from nearly any tool, schedule updates, manipulate data in Sheets, and push data back into our systems.”
NetSuite saved searches can display actual expenses by subcategory, but they can’t show budget variances because saved searches don’t have access to budget data.
Here’s how to bridge this gap by importing your saved search results and combining them with budget data for comprehensive variance analysis.
Import saved searches and enhance with budget data
Coefficient imports your existing NetSuite saved searches while preserving all complex logic, then enables budget variance analysis in NetSuite spreadsheets that saved searches alone can’t provide.
How to make it work
Step 1. Import your expense subcategory saved search.
Use Coefficient’s Saved Searches import feature to pull your existing expense subcategory search. This maintains all your complex NetSuite search logic and filters while enabling automatic refreshes on hourly, daily, or weekly schedules.
Step 2. Create comprehensive variance analysis.
Build budget tables in your spreadsheet matching the subcategory structure from your saved search. Use VLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH formulas to align actuals with budgets, then calculate variances with formulas like =Actual-Budget and =(Actual-Budget)/Budget.
Step 3. Enhance saved search data with budget context.
Your imported saved search provides the expense structure (Category, Subcategory, Department, Period, Actual Amount). Enhance this with Budget Amount from your spreadsheet, then add calculated columns for $ Variance, % Variance, and YTD Variance.
Step 4. Build dynamic variance reports.
Create pivot tables grouping by subcategory and period. Design variance dashboards showing top/bottom variances by subcategory, trend charts displaying variance progression, and department-level variance breakdowns with drill-through to transaction details.
Leverage existing saved searches while adding budget context
This solution uses your existing NetSuite saved searches while overcoming their inability to incorporate budget data, creating true budget variance reporting by expense subcategory. Start enhancing your saved searches with budget analysis today.
