Building extensions #4: Integrating Zoho Books with applications using connections

Building extensions #4: Integrating Zoho Books with applications using connections

In our last post, we looked at an overview of the key features available for creating a Zoho Books extension, including connections. In this post, we'll go over connections in depth, including their types and applications.

What are connections?

"Connections" is a component in the developer console that allows you to establish secure connections between applications. In general, a secure connection is essential for apps to work seamlessly for data transmission and synchronization. The connections functionality in the Zoho Books extension developer portal is ideal for securely connecting Zoho Books to other Zoho products or third-party applications.

Types of connections

The Zoho Books extension developer portal allows you to use both predefined and custom connections.

Predefined connections:
 These are ready-to-use connections that are preconfigured for various applications to connect with Zoho Books. You can simply search for the application you want to connect to from the default list, choose it, enter some basic information (scope), and connect to Zoho Books.

Custom connections:
 These are connections for apps not included in the default list. You can create a custom connection by manually setting up or configuring information about the application you want to connect to Zoho Books with—such as the authentication type and other corresponding details—and then proceeding with the connection.

Notes
Note: You can also create these custom connections for applications in the default list if you want to customize the connection with specific details.

Now, let's explore the steps to create these connections with an example for each.

Steps to create a predefined connection
  • Go to Sigma and access your workspace.
  • Enter the developer portal of the Zoho Books extension you're creating a connection for.
  • Navigate to the Build section and click Connections to view the connection details, types (predefined and custom), and support to create a new connection.

  • Click the New Connection button to create a new connection.
Notes
Note: Alternatively, you can use the View All option under a connection type to see all the services under that particular connection type and begin building connections.

  • You'll be redirected to the connections page of your extension's developer space, where you can select default or custom services to create connections.


In this post, we'll walk you through creating a predefined connection using the default services available.

For our example, let's create a connection for Wrike (a project management service) available in the default services list and integrate it with Zoho Books.
  • Choose Wrike from the default services list.

  • Click the Create Connection button.

  • Provide the connection details.
➤ Enter the connection name.
➤ Toggle and choose whether you want every user to enter their credentials during connection authorization.
➤ Choose the scopes necessary for your purposes for the connection.

  • Click Create And Connect. Proceed with the flow to accept the scopes and authorize the connection.
  • The connection is now authorized, and you'll be directed to the connection details page. This page will also contain sample code in both deluge and JSON formats that can be used to utilize this connection as part of your extension components. Depending on which component you want to invoke the connection in, you can use the appropriate sample code format.
Notes
Note: Giving the connection name in the script is critical to be able to use the connection in the extension.


  • Close the connection's detail page, and you'll be taken back to your extension's developer portal.
  • If needed, you can create multiple connections for your extension. The connections you've created will be visible in the My Connections section of the Connections page.

  • You can click on a connection to view its details or choose to revoke it, if necessary. You can reconnect a revoked connection whenever you need it.
Let's look at a simple scenario for the predefined connection we created. Assume that each time a project is created in Zoho Books, a new project is created in Wrike to handle project management in detail. In addition, if any tasks are available as part of that Zoho Books project, they'll be instantly created in Wrike alongside the project. This can be accomplished easily in an extension using workflows, custom functions, and connections.

Let's check out the steps to make this happen.
  • Create a custom function for the Projects module by selecting Automate, then Workflow Actions, then Custom Functions, then New Custom Function. Include the logic to fetch the details and its tasks from a Zoho Books project and create a matching project in Wrike.
createwrikeproject deluge function - Please find the code snippet as an attachment in the post
  • In the code above, the Zoho Books project's details, such as project name and task details, are fetched from the Project Map parameter in the custom function.
  • The retrieved project details are constructed as a Map and then passed to the invokeURL deluge task to invoke the Wrike API and create a project. Additionally, a check is made to see if the Zoho Books project has tasks associated with it. If it does, then those tasks are added to the project created in Wrike using the Wrike API to create tasks.
  • The Invoke URL task requires some basic parameters to invoke the API and provide a response.
➤ url: This is the URL of the application's API that will be invoked. In our case, it's the Wrike API URL for Create Project and Create Task.
➤ type: This is the method of the HTTP request required for the API. Since we're creating projects and tasks in Wrike, the type is POST in our example.
➤ parameters: These are data that need to be constructed and passed as the body for the API.
➤ connection: The name of the Wrike connection we created has to be supplied as the value for the connection parameter. This ensures that data transfer between Zoho Books and Wrike is authorized and secure.
  • Next, create a workflow rule for the Projects module by selecting Automate, then Workflow Rules, then New Workflow Rule.
  • Set the Action Type as "When project is created."

  • Now, associate the custom function (createwrikeproject) as a workflow action to this workflow rule. Save the workflow rule.


We've now completed our extension setup for our use case.

After testing and publishing our extension, whenever a new project is created in Zoho Books, a matching project is created in Wrike as well, along with any tasks.


This example demonstrated a seamless transfer of data from Zoho Books to Wrike with connections. This use case can be taken a step further, making sure the project and its tasks maintained in Wrike are also synchronized in Zoho Books.

In this post, we've seen how to set up a predefined connection and use it in a Zoho Books extension. In the next post, we'll look at custom connections and how to create them.

SEE ALSO


    • Recent Topics

    • 404 error at checkout

      Our customers are getting a 404 error at checkout. Anyone else with the same problem?

    • Goods In Transit

      Hi I was wondering if anyone had any tips or work-around to show goods in transit as a liability? We raise a PO with our supplier in China and when the goods are shipped and are invoiced, hence they are a liability of the business. However I can't convert

    • Accounts Payable and receivable

      I'm currently creating my accounts and noticed that I cannot create any more accounts payable or receivable. Is there any way to create more of this accounts and associate them to the default one available?

    • How to display Pick List values with vertical separation in Canvas

      I have a Multi-Select Pick List whose values I would like displayed vertically. So far, I have only been able to figure out how to adjust the width and other sizing of the field itself or even how to wrap the values to the next line below. I am trying

    • Ability to Use Both AND and OR When Creating Rules (Advanced Conditions)

      I'd like to be able to use more complicated logic when setting up rules. E.g. in Zoho Mail, I can choose "Advanced conditions (AND/OR) to create a rule that can be applied to multiple subject lines from the same sender. But in Zoho TeamInbox, I will have

    • Introducing a knowledge management and training software in Zoho Projects Plus

      Keeping your workforce updated on emerging technology trends is essential to stay on top of the game. While project management software focuses on planning, execution, and project tracking, incorporating a learning management solution within project management

    • Problem with UTM Parameters: Zoho Forms - Zoho Desk Integration

      Hi Zoho Support Team, I want to automatically capture UTM Parameters from my website URLs and pass it from Zoho Forms into Zoho Desk. I have activated the UTM tracking feature. I've integrated the UTM Tracking code in my website footer on all pages. I've

    • #13 Fix Mistakes Without Breaking Your Records

      A customer purchases 100 custom-printed invitations for an upcoming event. A few days after delivery, they call to say that some invitations were damaged and others need to be reprinted. They request a return. The customer isn't asking for a completely

    • Zoho CRM upload files error

      Since today, we have been experiencing issues with uploading photos to opportunities. The message indicates that the storage is full, but as far as I can see, there is still plenty of space available. Could there be an issue or a bug?

    • Zoho Directory : transformez vos données d’identité en décisions de sécurité

      Que sont les rapports d’identité dans Zoho Directory et pourquoi sont-ils importants? À mesure que les organisations se développent, la gestion des identités devient plus complexe. Les informations existent, mais elles sont souvent réparties entre plusieurs

    • Re-Apply SLA When Ticket Reopened from Closed Status?

      If you have an SLA applied, timers are deactivated when going to "On Hold" status type and reactivated when going back to an Open status type. What we discovered is when a customer replies to a closed case and it reopens, the SLA is not applied and timers

    • How to use Zoho Billing info in a workflow

      We have Zoho Billing and CRM sync'd and the Billing info appears as expected for each Account in Zoho CRM, including subscription status, plan type etc. But how can we use this in a workflow? Thanks Dylan

    • Why can't we choose Fixed Asset account for Purchased Items? (eTims issue?)

      Hello, When the company purchase items not for sale and not supposed to be in the inventory stock, like equipment for operational use, there is no way to access the Fixed Asset accounts in the drop down list. Is that an eTims limitation again? Or something

    • Auto-approval for shared key access not working for new users

      Hello, I'm an admin of a Zoho Vault organization (34 active users, ZOHO identity provider). I have the "Auto-approval for shared key access" setting enabled in Settings → Fine-Grained Controls → Global, but it does not work as expected. The problem: When

    • Zoho Analytics UI Bug

      Hello, all, The Aggregate Formulas in Zoho Analytics' list of fields have a 3-dot menu: If the formula has a long name, the name is not fully visible in the list, and a 3-dot menu is not accessible from it: This is not convenient, especially when the

    • Canvases Auto-Skewing/Adding Scroll Bars When They Were Not There Prior

      Is anyone else noticing rendering issues in their canvases today? It seems to be mainly icons which now have scroll bars added which makes them all look off, though some fields seemed to revert to squished length as well. Were the icons replaced with

    • Marketing Tip #37: Reduce purchase doubts with better product images

      When customers shop online, they cannot pick up, turn around, or inspect a product in person. That is why your product images need to do more of the selling. Two simple upgrades can make a big difference: Use zoom-friendly images so customers can look

    • Why don't Zia agents support file uploads?

      I am trying to build a Zia Agent that allows uploading of a PDF file and uses the GLM5 model to process it and extract information. But agents.zoho.com has no way to enable file uploads on the agent. Additionally, GLM5 based agents keep outputting their

    • Zia Agent built in ChatKit UI does not render markdown

      Hi, You have a major shortcoming in the Zia Agent UI. The test UI that is embedded in agents.zoho.com allows you to test the agent has full support for rendering markdown, but your ChatKit UI does not have support for rendering markdown. If I embed it

    • Zoho Forms - Failed CRM Sync Improvement

      I'd like to suggest an enhancement to the Zoho Forms and Zoho CRM integration. Currently, once a form entry has been submitted, there is no simple way to push that individual entry to CRM again if needed. Before anyone mentions it, I am aware that the

    • Will I see emails sent via campaigns in CRM?

      It would be useful for people to be able to see emails sent via campagins in Zoho CRM is that possible?

    • Cliq iOS can't see shared screen

      Hello, I had this morning a video call with a colleague. She is using Cliq Desktop MacOS and wanted to share her screen with me. I'm on iPad. I noticed, while she shared her screen, I could only see her video, but not the shared screen... Does Cliq iOS is able to display shared screen, or is it somewhere else to be found ? Regards

    • Zoho Books | Product updates | June 2026

      Hello users, Welcome to this month's roundup of what's new in Zoho Books! We have an exciting line-up this time. The highlight is the launch of the all-new France Edition with full ISCA compliance. We're also introducing features such as Layout Rules

    • What is MCP and How Does It Connect to Zoho Invoice?

      If you've ever wished you could just tell your invoicing software what to do, without clicking through menus, pulling up reports manually, or switching tabs every five minutes, that's exactly what the Zoho MCP server is built for. MCP stands for Model

    • Add spaces to input format

      In Zoho Inovices, I am trying to do a custom input format for a custom field. I have tried a few variations, but this is my most recent: ^[a-z][A-Z][0-9][,][-][_][:][ ]$ In this field, I will be entering different alphanumeric information, depending on

    • Enhancement in Zoho CRM: Introducing New Return Types for String Fields Based on Character Length

      Dear Customers, We hope you’re well! In Zoho CRM, formula field with string return type is used in various scenarios where text is involved like concatenating customers’ first and last names, trimming characters from texts, performing find and replace

    • GLM 5 not available

      Hello, I am trying to setup a Zia Agent using agents.zoho.com. The settings says that GLM5 is among the list of free zoho hosted models available. However, when I try to setup an agent and pick a model from the list only GLM 4.7 Flash is available. How

    • Supervisor Rules --> Custom Function

      Hello, currently I can't add a custom function to a supervise rule. Is there a reason for this? Background: We have BluePrint managed tickets and actually we have a Supervise rule which should set the ticket to "closed" after 168 hours since the last

    • Vault Chrome Extension Asks for Master Password every single time

      Is this supposed to be a feature, or is this a bug?  My assumption is that it's a bug, because every time I click on the Extension, there is a red exclamation mark/notification on the Zoho Vault extension.  Is the idea with the Extension that I have to

    • What's New in Zoho Inventory | April & May 2026

      Hello users, We're excited to roll out the latest Zoho Inventory updates for April and May 2026. These enhancements are designed to make your daily operations smoother and more efficient, from advanced inventory management and flexible pricing to automated

    • "Make online" not clearing previously downloaded files from disk

      I downloaded a large folder via "Make offline" so I could copy it to another location. This worked. When I was done I hoped that "Make online" would restore it to the previous state where those files are not stored locally in TrueSync. This did not work—Finder

    • Permission Denied for Worklogs URL

      We're attempting to pull worklogs data from service desk plus and when using the below URL we are met with a message stating we do not have permission. https://sdpondemand.manageengine.com/api/v3/requests/xxxxxx/worklogs/ We used SDPOnDemand.requests.ALL

    • Anyone in Australia using Zoho Books AND has their account with NAB?

      Hi I have an account with both NAB and Suncorp. Suncorp transaction come in the next day however NAB transactions take 4-5 business days to appear. eg: A deposit made today in my Suncorp will be imported into Zoho tomorrow. A deposit made today to the NAB account will be imported maybe Saturday (Friday overnight). I have contacted both Zoho and NAB but noone seems to know why. I was just wondering if anyone else in Australia uses NAB and has this issue (or doesn't) maybe we could compare notes and

    • Please Make Zoho CRM Cadences Flexible: Allow Inserting and Reordering Follow-Up Steps

      Sales processes are not static. We test, learn, and adapt as customers respond differently than expected. Right now, Zoho Cadences do not support inserting a new step between existing follow-ups or changing the type of an existing primary step. If I realize

    • Partner with HDFC And Sbi Bank.

      Hdfc and sbi both are very popular bank if zoho books become partner with this banks then many of the zoho books users will benefit premium features of partnered banks.

    • #12 Never Leave a Billable Hour Behind

      A client approves a website redesign project. The estimated effort? 40 hours. The project is going well. A few additional review meetings are scheduled. Several rounds of content changes are requested. A few "quick fixes" get added along the way. The

    • Close task on Completion Date entry

      This discussion is similar to my issue: "backdated-task-completion-date" discussion Scenario: A bunch of tasks have been completed. But, they have not been closed. Time goes by You finally get around to closing those tasks Projects assigns the date the

    • Can I add Conditional merge tags on my Templates?

      Hi I was wondering if I can use Conditional Mail Merge tags inside my Email templates/Quotes etc within the CRM? In spanish and in our business we use gender and academic degree salutations , ie: Dr., Dra., Sr., Srta., so the beginning of an email / letter

    • Records from ATE 29: Knowledge Base, Community, and AI for smarter user education

      Hi Everyone, "Ask the Experts 29" was an engaging session, where we explored how to utilize the Knowledge Base for customers and internal teams, as well as emphasizing the importance of our Community. This post highlights the questions and use cases discussed,

    • Deleted User Emails

      I need to delete a user as I need to re-use their license, but I'd like to keep all their emails that are attached to various contacts in the CRM. Their emails are hosted externally on an M365 license. Anyone any idea how best to engineer this? TIA

    • Next Page