Refreshing Sandbox Accounts in NetSuite 2026.1

TL;DR Opening

Starting in NetSuite 2026.1, users can refresh their sandbox accounts directly from their production account or another sandbox if they are on a Premium, Enterprise, or Ultimate service tier. This update streamlines the process of testing and developing customizations without downtime.

What's New

Refreshing a sandbox account enables users to send a complete snapshot of configurations, data, user passwords, and customizations from a source account to a target sandbox. Importantly, the existing data in the target sandbox will be completely overwritten. Here’s how this process works:

Sandbox Refresh Overview

• Source Account: The account you are copying from, which can be either your production account or another sandbox, depending on your service tier.
• Target Sandbox: The sandbox that will receive the new data, which continues to remain online during the refresh process.

Key Steps in Refreshing

1. Request a Refresh: Log in to your associated production account and go to Setup > Company > Sandbox Accounts.
2. User Access: Determine which users will retain access post-refresh. Options include access limited to administrators or all existing production users.
3. Select Source: Choose the source account for the refresh (only available for Premium tiers and above).
4. Submit Request: Click the ‘Refresh Sandbox’ button to begin the process.

Important Considerations

• Online Access: Users can continue to work in the sandbox while the refresh is being prepared.
• Save Changes: Before activating the new sandbox, ensure any changes made post-refresh request are saved externally, as they will be lost in the overwriting process.
• Notification: Administrators will receive an email once the new sandbox is ready for activation. Activation involves deleting the previous sandbox version and replacing it with the new data.
• Upgrade Period: Be cautious not to request a refresh during your scheduled upgrade window, as this can result in a failed refresh request.

This refreshing capability makes it easier for developers and administrators to keep their test environments current, allowing for more effective testing and development.

Who This Affects

• Administrators: Responsible for performing and managing sandbox refreshes.
• Developers: Utilize sandboxes for testing scripts, customizations, and integrations.
• Quality Assurance Teams: Need an up-to-date environment to accurately test new features and fixes.

Key Takeaways

• Refreshing sandboxes in NetSuite 2026.1 supports both production and sandbox as sources.
• The refresh process is non-disruptive; users maintain access during refresh preparation.
• All configurations and data in the target sandbox will be overwritten during the refresh.
• Activation of the new sandbox must be done promptly to prevent loss of data changes made after the refresh request.