> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.in8sync.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.in8sync.com/netsuite-admin-guide/overview/dashboard.md).

# Overview & Dashboard

The NetSuite Admin Dashboard: your starting screen, the view toggle, and the sidebar that drives all admin configuration

When you open <code class="expression">space.vars.productName</code> as a NetSuite Admin, the first screen you see is the Dashboard. This is your starting point for all admin configuration: not a reporting view, but a navigation hub

## What you'll see

The Dashboard displays a welcome message and the current version of <code class="expression">space.vars.productName</code> installed in your account. No action is required here; it simply confirms the SuiteApp has loaded correctly and tells you which release you're running.

![NetSuite Admin Dashboard with version display and view toggle](https://229581143-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FAG04Mxmhw6PLRAZBvhtK%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-044cdf55a076ad4b09c3df99b67e75de4d2edfc1%2Fnsadmin-dashboard.png?alt=media)

## Switching between Admin views

The most important control on the Dashboard is the toggle at the top of the screen:

| Toggle             | Who it's for               | What it shows                                                                                                |
| ------------------ | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **NetSuite Admin** | IT / System Administrators | System-level configuration: branding, payment setup, forms, users, catalog restrictions, printers, licensing |
| **Client Admin**   | Business Administrators    | Day-to-day configuration: catalogs, categories, workflows, user access, reports                              |

Click either label to switch between views. The left sidebar updates immediately to show the relevant menu for that role.

## The NetSuite Admin sidebar

Once you're in the NetSuite Admin view, the left sidebar is your primary navigation. Here's what each item does:

| Sidebar item             | Purpose                                                             |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Dashboard**            | This screen: version info and view toggle                           |
| **General Settings**     | Global and subsidiary-level branding                                |
| **Configurations**       | Per-subsidiary settings: payments, forms, tax, registers, locations |
| **Printers**             | Printer management and receipt/document template builder            |
| **Forms**                | Global default custom forms for transactions and entities           |
| **Users**                | Grant, modify, or remove user access across subsidiaries            |
| **Catalog Restrictions** | Global item filter criteria for Client Admin catalog building       |
| **Catalogs**             | Create and manage product catalogs                                  |
| **Categories**           | Manage item category hierarchy                                      |
| **Components**           | Upload custom UI components for use in the Workflow Builder         |
| **Default Workflows**    | Manage workflow templates used as starting points (Dev/Sandbox)     |
| **Settings → Licenses**  | License key management and activation                               |
| **Settings → Account**   | Language and timezone preferences                                   |
| **Settings → Billing**   | Plan and billing management                                         |
| **Theme Builder**        | Build and preview colour schemes and typography                     |
| **Help Center**          | In-app help and documentation links                                 |

## Other controls in the header

| Control                 | Description                                                                                                                     |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Subsidiary selector** | Dropdown (top right) showing the current subsidiary context. Switch subsidiaries here when managing a multi-subsidiary account. |
| **Theme toggle**        | Light/dark mode switch                                                                                                          |
| **User avatar**         | Your account name and email. Click to access account settings.                                                                  |

## Recommended first steps

If you've just installed <code class="expression">space.vars.productName</code>, work through these in order:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Configure global branding

Open [General Settings](/netsuite-admin-guide/overview/general-settings.md) and set the global logo and theme that subsidiaries will inherit from.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Set up your first subsidiary

Open [Configurations](/netsuite-admin-guide/overview-1.md) and configure payments, forms, and tax for your primary subsidiary.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Grant Client Admin access

Open [Users](/netsuite-admin-guide/overview-3.md) and give the Client Admin role to whoever will manage day-to-day configuration.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Define catalog restrictions

Open [Catalog Restrictions](/netsuite-admin-guide/catalog-restrictions.md) to control which NetSuite items are available to Client Admins when they build catalogs.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Related Pages

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>General Settings</strong></td><td>Where you configure global and subsidiary-level branding.</td><td><a href="/netsuite-admin-guide/overview/general-settings.md">General Settings</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Client Admin Guide</strong></td><td>What Client Admins see when they log in.</td><td><a href="/client-admin-guide/admin-app-overview.md">Getting Started</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Configurations</strong></td><td>Per-subsidiary settings: payments, forms, tax, registers.</td><td><a href="/netsuite-admin-guide/overview-1.md">Configurations</a></td></tr></tbody></table>