If you are using TurboTax Online, the reason you would not receive an option to input 1099-NEC in TurboTax Deluxe is that Form 1099-NEC is usually used for self-employment income, which the Deluxe Online version does not support.
You should have been able to enter it in the Step-by-Step process in CD/Download version of TurboTax Deluxe. [The workaround, as you found out is to go into Forms Mode.]
@cman
