Can Netsuite be connected to excel using a api key? What benefits would that bring?

the most common one I've seen is the ODBC driver for the SuiteAnalytics Connect Service:

The SuiteAnalytics Connect Service lets you archive, analyze, and report on NetSuite data. You can use a third-party tool or a custom-built application on any device that uses Windows, Linux, or OS X operating system.

Is there a way to do it without the SuiteAnalytics Feature. I am trying to get this low-cost.

I'm not sure of any other way asides from the SA connect service. Perhaps someone else in #C298P0BCK can confirm if there are other ways to do this

Thank you for your reply. I am 3 weeks into netsuite and I am trying to learn as much as I can.

There are 3rd parties such as Celigo CloudExtend that can connect and run your searches on demand or on schedule. But they are not free 🙂 @Kevin Baxter - what's your use case?

For saved reports you can use Excel Web query https://docs.oracle.com/en/cloud/saas/netsuite/ns-online-help/section_N745334.html

You could also consider solution 7, connecting NS to Excel is their sole focus

+ 1 for Solution 7, especially if the primary goal is budgeting and financial reporting.