Title: Integrating Zoho Books with applications using connections | Community | Zoho Finance

Title: Integrating Zoho Books with applications using connections | Community | Zoho Finance

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

    • Unable to create a Zoho Desk ticket from a call in Zoho CRM

      I want to create a Zoho Desk ticket when a new record is created in the Calls module in Zoho CRM. However, I get the following error message when trying to test & debug: We are unable to setup Zoho CRM. Please try again or contact us for further help

    • How to add a discount (percent %) field?

      My particular case it’s regarding the “Opportunities” module. I’ve created a subform to calculate the value of the opportunity, and now I’d like to include a discount field in the form of a percentage. However, no matter how or where I add the "percent"

    • Share saved filters between others

      Hi, I am in charge to setup all zoho system in our company. I am preparing saved filters for everybody, but the only one can see its me. How can others see it? Thanks

    • Outlook plugin funktioniert nicht.

      DAs Outlook Plugin funktioniert nicht mehr. Ich werde aufgefordert, mich mit der App "OneAuth" anzumelden Intelligente Anmeldung per OneAuth funktioniert nicht zufreidenstellend. Nach erfolgreicher Anmeldungung mittels QR Code lande ich wieder beim QR

    • sync two zoho crm

      Hello everyone. Is it possible to sync 2 zoho crm? what would be the easiest way? I am thinking of Flow. I have a Custom Module that I would like to share with my client. We both use zoho crm. Regards.

    • Help createing Inventory Volume report

      I've been working with Zoho support for a few months now trying to develop a inventory volume report. Though they have been helpful, it never seems to generate exactly what we're looking for. I thought I'd turn to the community for further help. We've

    • Page HTML to PDF

      Hello everyone, I have a pdf template, but because zoho has limitations in the builder. I made the template in aPages. The question is, how to export the pages as PDF? Thank you very much.

    • Color of Text Box Changes

      Sometimes I find the color of text boxes changed to a different color. This seems to happen when I reopen the same slide deck later. In the image that I am attaching, you see that the colors of the whole "virus," the "irology" part of "virology," and

    • Issues with certain CRM, Desk & webhook blocks in Guided Conversations

      Good day I have been attempting to add a block on our guided conversations, which give our customers relavent information based on their queries. The issue is that when I attempt to use a block that fetches data I get the following error popup: Cannot

    • Zoho Sign API lacking clarity

      I'm trying to use Zoho Sign to embed a document for signing into a web application, and the documentation is proving to to be lacking something. Some issues... 1) No clarity if the API only works with a document uploaded through the API -- it would be

    • 【Zoho CRM】キャンバス機能のアップデート

      ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中からキャンバス機能のアップデートをご紹介します。 新たに追加された「可変式ボックス」では、データの表示方法を柔軟にカスタマイズ可能です。画面サイズやデバイスに応じてレイアウトが自動調整されるため、より快適なユーザー体験が実現します。 【目次】 可変式ボックスとは 主要機能の詳細 より高度な可変式ツール 1.可変式ボックスとは 可変式ボックスをレイアウトに組み込むことで、高いカスタマイズ性と柔軟なデザインが可能になり、データの視覚化やユーザーインタラクションがより効果的に行うことができます。以下が可変式ボックスが備える主要な機能の概要です。

    • Removed email address - can't access account

      Hi Zoho Support Team, I recently removed my email address from my Zoho Desk account (which is part of our organization's Desk setup) and then signed out. Now, I’m unable to log back in because there is no email address associated with the account, even

    • Share passwords/secrets and folders/chambers with external users

      Currently you allow sharing passwords with internal users, internal user groups, and third parties. The third party feature gives temporary access of 30 minutes and it does not have any sign up. What we really need is to properly share secrets/passwords (and ideally folders/chambers) with Zoho Vault users that are not part of our organisation - even if they are on the free plan. If they accept the share, the password would be stored in their Zoho Vault as long as I maintain the share. If I revoke

    • Does Zoho US Payroll now support employees in multiple states?

      Does Zoho US now support having employees in multiple US states? I looked at the site and can't find and of the restrictions on multiple states anywhere.

    • Zoho Payroll: Product Updates | April 2025

      At Zoho Payroll, we’re always working to make every payday feel effortless. And sometimes, that means listening closely to your unique needs. This month, we’ve focused on adding features that give you the flexibility to pay your employees based on your

    • Notebook for watch no longer in Play store.

      I had to reinstall Notebook on my Galaxy Watch 7. Alas: the app is no longer available in the Play store. What now?

    • move notebooks to another notebook?

      Do I have the ability to add one or more existing notebooks to another notebook? For example, I have an existing notebook named Dog, with several articles in it, and I would like to move it to another notebook called animals?

    • Import from OneNote

      Is there a way to import notes from OneNote? 

    • Add export option that only export one or selected notebooks

      Currently the export function will export ALL data every time, this not only wastes user bandwidth, disk I/O and local storage space, but also consumes more resources on the server. Partial export should be a very basic and easy-to-implement feature.

    • Make other sub fields mandatory, if first subfield is not empty

      I am not finding an option in the rules to make other sub fields mandatory if the first sub field is not empty. I am using the name field to collect parts info, with sub fields of Part Name, Part Number, and Quantity. But I don't want these mandatory

    • Is Zoho Marketing Plus part of Zoho One?

      Hi, Is the new fancy Zoho Marketing Plus part of the Zoho One package? Is there any benefit in using this rather than the standalone products? Many thanks Jon

    • Ability to Initiate WhatsApp Template Messages in Zoho SalesIQ Without Preexisting Chat

      Hi Zoho SalesIQ Team, I hope you're doing well. I understand that with the WhatsApp integration in SalesIQ, clients can contact us via WhatsApp, and we can use WhatsApp templates to send messages outside of the 24-hour window by reopening an existing

    • Zoho Creator Mobile app no Default Workspace

      When I use the Zoho Creator mobile app I do not get a default workspace. This is occurring for me and another new user. I believe this is an issue with Zoho One / Zoho Creator. I have tried working with support and it's been over a week of no solution

    • Kaizen #189: Manipulating Multi-Module Lookup (MML) Field using Zoho CRM APIs

      Hello everyone! Welcome back to another week of Kaizen. In this post, we explore the Multi-Module Lookup (MML) field in the Appointments module of Zoho CRM. You learn what an MML field is, how it works, and how to use it with Zoho CRM APIs. Table of Contents:

    • Xcode 16.2

      I am facing multiple bitcode enable issue with Zoho. Which version is compatible with xcode 16.2 or version with out bitcode Flutter 3.27.4 pod 'ZohoDeskPortalCore' pod 'ZohoDeskPortalServices'

    • Unable to invite contacts

      Hi! I'm unable to invite contacts as end-users from my trial account. The green pop-up displays "Invited succesfully" but the email never arrives, nor the re-invitation - even though it's "sucessfully" as well. Tried with several e-mail accounts, even

    • Set expiration date on document and send reminder

      We have many company documents( for example business registration), work VISA documents. It will be nice if we can set a expiry date and set reminders ( for example 90 days, 60 days, 30 days etc.,) Does Zoho workdrive provide that option?

    • Refresh Page Or View After Workflow-Triggered Rule

      Good Morning, Is this feature that's discussed on this CRM thread available on Recruit? https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/refresh-page-or-view-after-workflow-triggered-rule

    • Forward, attach, or flag email to an open ticket.

      Hi, when resolving customer requests through tickets in Zoho Desk, it is very common to receive emails from suppliers or third parties in Zoho Mail accounts or email groups that are not registered in the system. Is there any way to forward these emails

    • Need help adding Zoho Vault License

      "Proceed" is grayed our when i try to add 5 more license on our Zoho Vault account. Thanks

    • Notifications no longer being sent to my email address for any scheduled events

      The last few weeks, I stopped receiving email notifications to my email for events I have scheduled and have a selected reminder option checked.

    • 'call for best price' option

      Hi guys, Pricing of items that we sell to end-customers changes often, so I don't want to put up a 'static' price, but would like to have the option to 'call for best price', or what-ever the best wording is.. Has anybody got a suggestion on how to do

    • Modifying product search in invoice field

      Hello, I imported my product list in Books. Since I have many products with the same name, but with different order units, and that Books doesn't permit same names in items, I used ID's number has product name, and put the product name in the description.

    • How do I embed the webinar into a webpage?

      All I can seem to do is embed the signup form. This is cheesy. Surely they must have fixed this by now, right? How do I do it?

    • Bulk upload image option in Zoho Commerce

      I dont know if I am not looking into it properly but is there no option to bulk upload images along with the products? Like after you upload the products, I will have to upload images one by one again? Can someone help me out here? And what should I enter

    • 404 Error When Using record_cursor in ZOHO.CREATOR.DATA.getRecords (js api)

      Iam working on fetching all records from a Zoho Creator report using the Get Records API (V2.1) with the following recursive function: js CopyEdit // Recursive function to fetch records using record_cursor from the response function fetchAllRecords(recordCursor

    • Add haptic feedback when QR / barcode is scanned

      Hi, One of my user has a Creator App and scan QR codes. He suggests a haptic feedback is a great addition to validate that the QR code is effectively scanned and inserted in to the field. He is using an iPad for scanning. Thank you !

    • Input list of records in Lookup

      Salut, I have 2 scripts that input list of records in a lookup. The first on works fine, the second one doesn't and I do not know why. The only differences, is that the first one input in a lookup a list of records from an actual lookup field, and with

    • Are downloadable product available in Zoho Commerce

      Hi all. We're considering switching to Zoho Commerce for our shop, but we sell software and remote services. Is there a features for downloadable products? I can't find any information about this. Thank you very much Alice

    • Parent-Child Tickets using API or Deluge

      Hi Everyone, We are looking at the parent-child ticketing features in Zoho Desk. We want to be able to create a parent ticket at customer level and nest child tickets underneath. The issue we are facing is to be able to automate this. I'm checking the

    • Next Page