Managing Picklists and Enabling History Tracking via Zoho CRM APIs

Managing Picklists and Enabling History Tracking via Zoho CRM APIs

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to another post in our Kaizen series

In this post, we will look at how you can manage picklist fields in Zoho CRM using APIs. This topic was raised as feedback to Kaizen #200, so we are taking it up here with more details.



In this post, we will cover the following:
  • What is a picklist field in Zoho CRM?
    • Picklist vs Multi-select Picklist
  • Working with picklist fields via APIs
  • History tracking for picklists
    • What is history tracking for picklists in Zoho CRM?
    • Use case
    • Enabling history tracking for a picklist using the Create Custom Fields API

What is a picklist field in Zoho CRM?

A Picklist field is a drop-down field in Zoho CRM that contains a predefined list of values. While creating or updating a record, you can select one value from this list instead of entering it manually. This helps you avoid typing errors.

Example :
A Region field with values East, West, North, and South.
If a lead is from the East, the user simply selects East from the picklist instead of typing it manually. 

Picklist vs Multi-select Picklist
                                                         
                                                            Picklist

                                                   Multi-select Picklist

  Users can select only one value from the list. 

   Users can select multiple values at once. 

  A standard Region picklist works when a record belongs to only one region.

  Example : East

   A Multi-select Region picklist works when a record spans multiple regions.
   Example : East, North

Global picklist / Global set : User can create a picklist in common and associate the created picklist across the modules to maintain accuracy. Refer to Kaizen #161: Global Sets using Zoho CRM APIs for more details.

Working with picklist fields via APIs

Creating a picklist field using the Create Custom Field API

You can create a new Picklist field in a module by calling the Create Custom Field Metadata API. For example, you can create a picklist field named Region with the values: East, West, North, South.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/fields?module=Leads
Request Method : POST


Sample Input
When creating a picklist field, set its data type as picklist and provide the list of options, each with a mandatory display_value. You can also configure additional properties such as actual_value, lexical sorting, and color coding.


{
    "fields": [
        {
            "field_label": "Select Region",
            "data_type": "picklist", // Specify the data type as picklist
            "tooltip": {
                "name": "info_icon",
                "value": "Select your region here"
            },

    "profiles": [
                {
                    "id": "5725767000000026011",
                    "permission_type": "read_write" 
                }
 ],
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "East",  //The unique display value for the picklist, which will be displayed in the CRM UI. Use the display_value in API requests during create, update, and upsert operations.

                    "actual_value": "IN_East" //The unique reference value associated with the particular option.
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "West",
                    "actual_value": "IN_West"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "North",
                    "actual_value": "IN_North"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "South",
                    "actual_value": "IN_South"
                }
            ],
            "pick_list_values_sorted_lexically": true,   //Sorts options alphabetically. Default value is false.
            "enable_colour_code": true    //Allows color coding for picklist options. Default value is false.
        }
    ]
}


Note : To create a multi-select picklist field, set the data_type key to multiselectpicklist in the request body ("data_type": "multiselectpicklist").

Sample Response
{
    "fields": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "details": {
                "id": "5725767000007613005"
            },
            "message": "field created",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]
}

Updating a picklist field using the Update Custom Field API

The PATCH - Field Metadata API lets you modify an existing Picklist field. Use the Get Fields Metadata API to get your picklist field ID. 

You can:
Here is a sample request that updates the Select Region dropdown field in the Leads module.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/fields/5725767000007613005?module=Leads
Request Method : PATCH

Adding a new option to the existing picklist field 

Sample Input 

{
    "fields": [
        {
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "Central", //adding a new option to the existing picklist field
                    "actual_value": "IN_Central"
                }
            ],
        }
    ]
}

Updating picklist 

{
    "fields": [
        {
            "profiles": [
                {
                    "id": "5725767000000026011",
                    "permission_type": "read_only" //updating the permission_type
                }
            ],
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "South Region", //updating the display field's value
                    "id": "5725767000007613010" //unique ID of the option 
                }
            ],
            "enable_colour_code": false //disabling color code for the options
        }
    ]
}

Note : Use the actual_value or unique ID of a picklist option to update its display value. Use the Get Fields Metadata API or Get Layouts Metadata API to get the details.

Removing existing options using Update Custom Layout API

To remove picklist values, keep only the required options in your input. Any options not included in the request will automatically move to the unused section.
First, fetch the required layout, section, field, and option IDs using the Get Layouts Metadata API. Then, in your request body, specify only the picklist values you want to retain.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/layouts/5725767000000091055?module=Leads
Request Method : PATCH

Sample Input 
{
    "layouts": [
        {
            "id": "5725767000000091055", //layout id
            "sections": [
                {
                    "id": "5725767000000209001", //section id
                    "fields": [
                        {
                            "id": "5725767000007613005", //field id
                            "pick_list_values": [
                                {
                                    "display_value": "Central",
                                    "id": "5725767000007626001"
                                },
                                {
                                    "display_value": "East",
                                    "id": "5725767000007613004"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}


Here, Central and East regions remain as active picklist options, and West, North, and South regions are moved to the unused section.

Updated response
Use the Get Fields Metadata API to check the updated response. The Central and East are still active options (type: used), and North, South, and West are inactive options (type: unused)
{
    "fields": [
        .
        .
        .
        {
            "field_label": "Select Region",
            "id": "5725767000007613005",
            "api_name": "Select_Region",
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "-None-",
                    "sequence_number": 1,
                    "reference_value": "-None-",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "-None-",
                    "id": "5725767000007613013",
                    "type": "used"   //default option
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Central",
                    "sequence_number": 6,
                    "reference_value": "Central",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_Central",
                    "id": "5725767000007626001",
                    "type": "used"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "East",
                    "sequence_number": 2,
                    "reference_value": "East",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_East",
                    "id": "5725767000007613004",
                    "type": "used"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "North",
                    "sequence_number": 4,
                    "reference_value": "North",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_North",
                    "id": "5725767000007613008",
                    "type": "unused"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "South",
                    "sequence_number": 5,
                    "reference_value": "South",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_South",
                    "id": "5725767000007613010",
                    "type": "unused"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "West",
                    "sequence_number": 3,
                    "reference_value": "West",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_West",
                    "id": "5725767000007613006",
                    "type": "unused"
                }
            ],
            "data_type": "picklist"
        }
    ]
}



Assigning picklist values using the Insert Records API

When you insert a record, you can directly pass the picklist option’s display value (not the ID) in the request body.

Request URL : {api-domain}/crm/v8/{module_api_name}
Request Method : POST

Sample Input 
{
    "data": [
        {
            "Company": "Zylker",
            "Last_Name": "David",
            "Select_Region": "Central"   // Picklist value to assign
        }
    ]
}

Note: 
  • When creating, updating, or upserting records, 
    • You can either pass an existing picklist value or add a new one, through the API. Please note that the new value will only be stored in that record, and will not be added to the picklist field’s metadata.
    • In the UI, you can only select from the available dropdown options.
    • Always use the display_value of the picklist option, not the picklist option’s ID.
    • You can also assign the default option (-None-). In this case, the picklist field’s value will be stored as null ("Select_Region": null)
Sample Response

{
    "data": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "details": {
                "Modified_Time": "2025-08-23T04:51:39-07:00",
                "Modified_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                },
                "Created_Time": "2025-08-23T04:51:39-07:00",
                "id": "5725767000007623017",
                "Created_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                }
            },
            "message": "record added",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]

}



Updating picklist values in existing records using the Update Records API

When updating, you also use the picklist display value in the field.

Request URL : {api-domain}/crm/v8/Leads/5725767000007628002
Request Method : PUT

Sample Input 

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Select_Region": "West" // New picklist value
        }
    ]
}

This will replace the existing picklist value with West.


History tracking for picklists

What is history tracking for picklists in Zoho CRM?

You can enable history tracking for a picklist field using the Create Custom Field API. Once enabled, Zoho CRM automatically creates a related list for the tracked picklist and a separate module.
Every time the picklist value changes, Zoho CRM creates a new entry in this related list. Each entry shows the old value, the new value, who made the change, and when it was made, and how long the record stayed in the previous value before moving to the next one.

Use case

Zylker's sales team tracks lead progress through the statuses such as New, Contacted, Qualified, and Converted. The team wants to know how long a lead remains in each status and identify if follow-ups are delayed or leads are not progressing. 
You can achieve this by enabling history tracking on the Status picklist. You can also monitor every status change, who made it, and how long the lead stayed in the previous status. This helps the team monitor, identify delays, and improve the follow-up process.

The log stores:
  • New Value - updated region in the Moved_To__s key.
  • Changed By - user who made the update  in the Modified_By key.
  • Changed On - date and time when the region was changed  in the Last_Activity_Time key.
  • Duration  - how long the record stayed in the previous value before the change  in the Duration_Time and Duration_Days keys.

Enabling history tracking for a picklist using the Create Custom Fields API

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/fields?module=Leads
Request Method : POST

Sample Input
{
    "fields": [
        {
            "field_label": "Status",
            "data_type": "picklist",
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "New",
                    "actual_value": "New"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Contacted",
                    "actual_value": "Contacted"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Qualified",
                    "actual_value": "Qualified"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Converted",
                    "actual_value": "Converted"
                }
            ], 
            "history_tracking_enabled": true, //(mandatory) Enables history tracking for the picklist
            "history_tracking": {
                "related_list_name": "Status History", //Lets you give a custom name to the history related list that CRM creates.
                "duration_configuration": "time", //Decides how to track the timing of changes: days - History is tracked by days and time - History is tracked by time. 
 
              Note : Before specifying the time value, enable the duration customization feature in your organization by contacting support@zohocrm.com.

                "followed_fields": [  // The followed_fields lets you retrieve additional field values whenever the picklist value changes.
                    {
                        "api_name": "Owner"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ]
}

Sample Response in UI 


Sample Response via API
Whenever a picklist option changes, the system creates a new record in the related list module. In this example, Status History is the related list module. The sample response below shows how a particular change looks when retrieved using the Get Records API.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/Status_History/5725767000007739323
Request Method : GET

Sample Response

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Status": "Contacted",
            "$approval": {
                "delegate": false,
                "takeover": false,
                "approve": false,
                "reject": false,
                "resubmit": false
            },
            "Modified_Time": "2025-08-28T06:35:15-07:00",
            "$currency_symbol": "$",
            "$field_states": null,
            "$review_process": null,
            "$editable": true,
            "Duration_Time": "6568847", //The system stores the duration in milliseconds.
            "$sharing_permission": "full_access",
            "Lead_Owner": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "Moved_To__s": "Qualified",
            "$orchestration": false,
            "Last_Activity_Time": "2025-08-28T08:24:44-07:00",
            "Full_Name": {
                "name": "Zylker",
                "id": "5725767000007735001"
            },
            "Modified_By": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001",
                "email": "patricia@zoho.com"
            },
            "$review": null,
            "$process_flow": false,
            "$in_merge": false,
            "id": "5725767000007739350",
            "$approval_state": "approved",
            "$pathfinder": false,
            "$zia_visions": null
        }
    ]
}



Note :
  • You can select up to 10 fields in total, with a maximum of 5 user fields for all modules except Deals.
  • Encrypted fields cannot be specified.
  • In the Deals module,
    • History tracking is enabled by default for the Stage picklist field.
    • You cannot enable history tracking for any other picklist field in the Deals module.
    • You can only update the existing Stage picklist field using the Update Custom Field API.
    • You can add up to 6 followed fields, with a maximum of 5 user fields.



We hope this post helps you confidently manage picklists and track their history in Zoho CRM. Try it out, and let us know your experience in the comment section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com 

Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts!
Cheers!






Related Links :



    • Sticky Posts

    • Kaizen #197: Frequently Asked Questions on GraphQL APIs

      🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.
    • Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint

      Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.
    • Celebrating 200 posts of Kaizen! Share your ideas for the milestone post

      Hello Developers, We launched the Kaizen series in 2019 to share helpful content to support your Zoho CRM development journey. Staying true to its spirit—Kaizen Series: Continuous Improvement for Developer Experience—we've shared everything from FAQs
    • Kaizen #193: Creating different fields in Zoho CRM through API

      🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.
    • Client Script | Update - Introducing Commands in Client Script!

      Have you ever wished you could trigger Client Script from contexts other than just the supported pages and events? Have you ever wanted to leverage the advantage of Client Script at your finger tip? Discover the power of Client Script - Commands! Commands
    • Recent Topics

    • Feature Request - Insert URL Links in Folders

      I would love to see the ability to create simple URL links with titles in WorkDrive. or perhaps a WorkDrive extension to allow it. Example use case: A team is working on a project and there is project folder in WordDrive. The team uses LucidChart to create
    • Try FSM again for our business

      We already have our customers individual equipment in CRM with serial numbers, install dates, warranty length and importantly next service which is generally 2 years. a month before the service date is due we get get a report and send out service reminders.
    • GST Slabs Redefined: Stay Compliant Using Zoho Books!

      Hello Everyone! The Government of India is rolling out new GST rates, a major reform aimed at simplifying the current tax structure starting 22 September 2025. GST will move from four slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to two main slabs (5% and 18%), plus a special
    • Zoho CRM button to download images from image upload field

      Hello, I am trying to create a button in Zoho CRM that I can place in my record details view for each record and use it to download all images in the image upload fields. I tried deluge, client scripts and even with a widget, but feel lost, could not
    • Get Cliq Meetings in my O365 calendar

      Hi, we are currently evaluating to replace the Teams Messaging and Meetings with Cliq. We currently still have all our email and calendars in O365. What i want to achieve is, to create a (ZOHO) meeting from Cliq and have this meeting added to my Outlook/O365
    • Issue with Zoho Help Portal – Tickets Missing or Not Answered

      Hi, How are you? I think there may be an issue with the Zoho Help Portal. I opened a few tickets directly in the help portal a some time ago but never received any response I also opened ticket 148356451 by email. I did receive a reply to it, but the
    • Changing the Default Search Criteria for Finding Duplicates

      Hey everyone, is it possible to adjust the default search criteria for finding and merging duplicate records? Right now, CRM uses some (in my opinion nonsensical) fields as search criteria for duplicate records which do nothing except dilute the results.
    • Zoho Creator as LMS and Membership Solution

      My client is interested in using Zoho One apps to deploy their membership academy offer. Zoho Creator was an option that came up in my research: Here are the components of the program/offer: 1. Membership portal - individual login credentials for each
    • access to quartz for my customers

      Hi how can I have access to the application quartz you use for us to send you screen rocording, this feature would be immensely useful for our customers support https://quartz.zoho.com/
    • DUNS & Bradstreet and Credit risk monitoring integration with Zoho books

      Small businesses not being paid by bigger clients and clients of all sizes is a huge problem. It will be nice if Zoho develops integration with DUNS & Bradstreet(D&B) and Credit risk monitoring integration with Zoho books. That have small businesses can
    • Filtering Tickets based on Email headers

      We're starting to get a lot more junk coming into our Zoho Desk, which is then triggering unnecessary email alerts to agents. Once thing we could do to cut this junk in half, is to filter tickets based on email headers. Any email containing the `List-Unsubscribe`
    • Zoho Forms - Form Rules based on attachment fields

      Many businesses use forms to collect documents and images from customers. In many cases, you may want to trigger a notification or other automation based on whether or not an attachment was added. I've noticed that attachment fields do not appear in Rules
    • Add QUOTE OWNER profile image to a Quote Template

      I can add their email address.. phone number, DOB. I need to add a users profile picture so when they assign a template to a quote they own it adds their picture to the cover page. I've tried hacking a solution together but there has to be an easier way.
    • Elevate your CX delivery using CommandCenter 2.0: Simplified builder; seamless orchestration

      Most businesses want to create memorable customer experiences—but they often find it hard to keep them smooth, especially as they grow. To achieve a state of flow across their processes, teams often stitch together a series of automations using Workflow
    • New in Cadences: Option to Resume or Restart follow-ups when re-enrolling records into a Cadence, and specify custom un-enrollment criteria

      Managing follow-ups effectively involves understanding the appropriate timing for reaching out, as well as knowing when to take a break and resume later, or deciding if it's necessary to start the follow-up process anew. With two significant enhancements
    • No Response from Zoho Support in 8 Days - Typical?

      I have a couple of issues I'm trying to work through. Initially, I was getting support from support@zohofsm.com, but I have not received a response in 8 days (11 on another question). Is this typical? Can I pay for support? For context, I am not spamming
    • Office 365 and CRM mail integration: permission required

      Has anyone run into this weird problem? My email server is Office 365. When I try to configure Zoho CRM to use this server, a Microsoft popup window opens requesting user and password. After entering that, I get a message in the Microsoft window saying
    • Age Calculation

      I've attempted to calculate the age of someone based on their birthday input by using the formula field. It works but I don't want all those decimals on there. I then tried to use "set variable" after birthday input but I get a field type mismatch, long vs. floating. Any ideas would be wonderful.
    • Open filtered deals from campaign

      Do you think a feature like this would be feasible? Say you are seeing campaign "XYZ" in CRM. The campaign has a related list of deals. If you want to see the related deals in a deal view, you should navigate to the Deals module, open the campaign filter,
    • Change scheduling emails time

      When sending an individual email there is a great feature to schedule them to send later. I could only use the one time that is suggested. Is there a way to select another time? Regards, Glenn
    • Zoho CRM: how can I control which contacts to sync with Outlook?

      I was just playing around syncing contacts from Zoho to MS Outlook (MS365 account.) The problem is our firm has hundreds of thousands of contacts and I don't want to bury my contacts list in outlook. Any help with this is greatly appreciated.
    • How to overcome limitations in meetings

      As a company, one of our deliverables is a meeting between two other companies, where we act as facilitators. So, if we recorded this meeting  in Zoho CRM, it should be connected to 2 accounts, 2 contacts, and 1 campaign (a campaign, in our use, is the
    • Different MRP / Pricing for same product but different batches

      We often face the following situations where MRP of a particular product changes on every purchase and hence we have to charge the customer accordingly. This can't be solved by Batch tracking as of now so far as I understand Zoho. How do you manage it as of now? 
    • Add a 'Log a Call' link to three dot icon in Canvas

      Hi, There's a three dot element when creating a canvas called 'More'. I would like to modify this to add a link that says 'Log a Call' in order to quickly record the details of a cellphone call. I'd also like this to be a simple 'contact' selection and
    • Syncing Zoho Forms with Bigin - Embedding issue?

      Hello everyone, I created a Zoho Form for a page on my GoDaddy website to collect leads, which then transfers the data to Bigin. However, I'm facing an issue where it doesn't seem to work properly. I've integrated Zoho Forms with Bigin and tried embedding
    • Can not add fields to a Section

      I feel like I'm missing something obvious: I can add new Sections to my form but I can not add fields to the Sections. I've tried fields already on the form as well as dragging and dropping new fields into the Section but nothing will go into it. What
    • Record Logged in User while using CRM lookup field

      Is it possible, while using the Zoho CRM lookup field, to automatically use the user account logged into Zoho CRM in a hidden field? I was hoping to add employee accounts to my current plan. But would like a record on the Form submission of who submitted
    • Form Rules for Suburb Categories to alternate landing pages or Making a Fields Contents ALL CAPS

      I need to send differentform submissions to two to three different thank-you URLs (for Meta/Google pixels) depending on which suburb a user selects in a form. I have ~400 suburbs split into two categories (A and B, based on business value). Current challenges:
    • how to differentiate if whatsapp comes from certain landing page?

      I create a Zobot in SalesIQ to create a Whatsapp bot to capture the lead. I have 2 landing pages, one is SEO optimized and the other want is optimized for leads comes from Google Ads. I want to know from which landing page this lead came through WhatsApp
    • Collaps Notes

      There are times when long/large notes are added to a record i.e. Accounts or Deals etc. Currently, the full note is displayed in the notes related list section. It would be great if by default only 5 to 10 rows of the note are displayed when the note
    • Zoho Down

      I have a drop in my Zoho One services.
    • Runing RPA Agents on Headless Windows 11 Machines

      Has anyone tried this? Anything to be aware of regarding screen resolution?
    • Problem for EU users connecting Zoho CRM through Google Ads for Enhanced conversions

      Has anyone else experienced this problem when trying to connect Zoho CRM through Google Ads interface to setup enhanced conversions? Did you guys get it fixed somehow? The Problem: The current Google Ads integration is hardcoded to use Zoho's US authentication
    • Why am I getting event Pop-up Notification for events that have been cancelled?

      Why is Calendar Notification still popping up for events that have been cancelled or changed? Each time events are cancelled or changed, I have observed that I am still getting notifications for them. Below is a sample pop-up notification for one of the
    • Rich Text For Notes in Zoho CRM

      Hello everyone, As you know, notes are essential for recording information and ensuring smooth communication across your records. With our latest update, you can now use Rich Text formatting to organize and structure your notes more efficiently. By using
    • Whatsapp Limitation Questions

      Good day, I would like to find out about the functionality or possibility of all the below points within the Zoho/WhatsApp integration. Will WhatsApp buttons ever be possible in the future? Will WhatsApp Re-directs to different users be possible based
    • Issue with Inline Images in Email Reply via Zoho Desk API

      Hi, I am attempting to send inline images in an email reply using the Zoho Desk API, but the images are not being displayed inline for the recipient. I have followed this documentation: https://desk.zoho.com/DeskAPIDocument#Uploads https://desk.zoho.com/DeskAPIDocument#Threads#Threads_SendEmailReply
    • Create a draft in reply to an email via Emails API

      Hi, I’d like to use the outgoing webhook to automatically create a draft reply to incoming mail. How can I use the Emails API to create a draft reply that is linked to an existing email thread? I couldn’t find the relevant method in the documentation.
    • India Tech Support

      Is there no phone tech support number for India? And no chat facility either?
    • Billing Management: #1 Billing an Universal Business Routine

      Hello, As the saying goes, "Do the hardest job first", we started with the complex subject in finance, revenue management, which is considered to be the backbone for any business. Now, let's shift our focus and take a deep dive into this Billing Management
    • Next Page