I'm leveraging SuiteAnalytics workbook dataset to inject data into my Advanced PDF template (shoutout to @redfishdev for the help there!) But I am seeing that List / Record Fields are showing up as the internal id. To get around that, I used formula fields on the dataset. Is that the best pattern or is there a way to do it within the template.

Saved searches return both ID and Text in the JSON. I am not sure of Analytics. Have you looked at the raw JSON from the dataset results? IF it is not in there then I think your approach is correct. BTW are you using BUILT.DF or something in Analytics? I may need to do this sometime soon. If you don't mind posting one of your formulas it would be appreciated. I doubt there is anyway in the template itself to get external data efficiently. If it is in the JSON then you can reach it or flatten the result first.