Building extensions #10: Fetch customized user inputs, store them globally at the app level, and access them across entities

Building extensions #10: Fetch customized user inputs, store them globally at the app level, and access them across entities

This data storage concept enables you to store data related to your extension for both entity properties and extension properties.

In our previous piece, we looked at how to store data for entities using entity properties. In this post, we'll look at an example of using extension properties effectively. Extension properties enable you to record data for an app in its entirety. Refer to this article on the limitations of extension properties for additional details.

Scenario

Let's say that as a developer you want to gather feedback/reviews through your extension. In general, reviews and feedback help you gain insights into users' perspectives.

When designing a review/feedback template, using a standard question with predefined options will restrict the feedback/review process to certain specific standards/requirements. However, your clients may use Zoho Projects to manage a variety of businesses, each with its own set of processes tailored to the needs of that company.

What can you do to standardize and streamline this process for all clients?
It would be beneficial to create a standard feedback/review template for your customers and then enable them to customize the question and its options to meet their own company feedback requirements.

Goal: Create a generic feedback/review template that enables clients to provide their personalized inputs to customize the review/feedback question per their company needs.

Solution

To accomplish this goal, we'll incorporate both entity and app data storage—as well as a few other capabilities—into our extension. Let's look at the features and steps we'll be taking to develop this example.
  • First, we must gather the question and options that the user wants for their feedback/review form. To accomplish this, we can create a bottom navigation bar widget called "Feedback or Review template settings" that enables the user to provide their personalized feedback/review question along with its options as input. We can accomplish this using the widgets approach explained earlier in this post.
  • Next, we must save the values the user provides for the question and options. We can accomplish this by using the data storage extension properties, which will store the data and make it available across the app/extension. (Now that we have the values stored for the entire extension/app, we can retrieve the data and access it across the necessary entities.)
  • In our example, we want to collect feedback/reviews from users for the tasks and issues entities. For this, we can create a widget called "Feedback or Review" in the details page of the task and issue entities, respectively.
  • In this widget, we must populate the question with the options the user previously provided as part of the "Feedback or Review template settings" widget. We can accomplish this by retrieving the previously saved details and displaying them in the relevant entities (tasks and issues, in our example).
  • Once we've displayed the question and options to the user, they can select an option to provide feedback or a review for the entity they're working on.
  • Furthermore, we can save the user's option selection and associate it with the entity. This will enable us to display the previously selected option for that question each time the user accesses the "Feedback or Review" widget, which we can accomplish using the data storage-entity properties concept.
Required components
  • An extension configuration process includes the following:
    • Creating an extension.
    • Configuring the plugin manifest.
    • Setting up the widget code.
  • Bottom navigation bar widget (top_band): Enables the user to input their customized values for the feedback/review template's question and its options.
  • Task details tab widget (task_tab)/Issue details tab (issue_tab): Enables us to fetch and display the value the user enters for the feedback/review template in the respective entities.
Let's explore these components now.

Extension configuration

Extension creation: We've created a new extension for Zoho Projects. Learn more about the steps to create an extension.
                                                                  

Plugin-manifest.json configuration: Once we created the extension, we configured the plugin-manifest.json file to include the widgets. For a more detailed understanding of how to configure the plugin-manifest.json file, refer to our earlier post.

For our extension use case, the plugin-manifest.json file is configured as shown in the screenshot below.

Note: We'll have to set the storage key to true in order for storage space to be allocated in the Zoho Projects product for this extension. By default, the value will be false.
                                                

Setting up the widget code

Now that we've set up the other components, let's move on to writing our widget code and incorporating the data storage feature.

Feedback or Review template settings widget (Bottom navigation bar - top_band) - Enables us to gather personalized user input for the feedback/review template. Please find the index.html code snippet attached in the post.
  • In the code snippet above for the bottom navigation bar widget, the user is presented with two text boxes: one for entering their customized question for feedback/review and the other for entering their customized options, each separated by a comma.
➤ The app.store method in the extension properties is used to store this data against the extension in the form of key-value pairs.
➤ The values for the question and options are constructed as a JSON object and then stored against the key "storedappvalue" using the app.store method.
Note: For user-entered options separated by a comma, these options are converted to an array using the split() method, with the comma serving as the criteria, and then stored against the key.
➤ Finally, when the values are successfully stored after clicking the Add button, the zohoprojects.invoke method is used, and the user is notified with the alert "Data added".
  • Additionally, every time this widget loads, the data stored at the app level in the key "storedappvalue" is obtained using the app.retrieve method.
  • From this retrieved value, any previously stored data against the key "storedappvalue" is removed using the app.remove method.
  • This is done because whenever a user wishes to change their feedback/review question and options, the new data will be added and stored against the key as well. Since we require the newly entered values to be displayed as part of our "Feedback or Review" widget in the tasks and issues entities, the previously stored data is removed, and the new values entered are stored against the key upon clicking on the Add button.

Feedback or Review widget (task details tab - task_tab) - Displays the feedback question and options and enables the user to provide feedback for the entity they're working on. Please find the Taskfeedback.html code snippet attached in the post.
  • In the code snippet above—for task/issue details tab—we're first retrieving the value stored against the extension (in the bottom-band navigation bar) by invoking the app.retrieve method using the key "storedappvalue".
  • From this retrieved value, we fetch the question and its options. The options for the question are displayed in the widget in radio button format, which enables the user to choose one option for the feedback/review question.
  • Once the user chooses an option and clicks the Save button, the data is saved using the entity properties in data storage feature.
➤ Here, the selected review option (selectedreview) value and its index position (selectedoptionnumber) in the radio button element are stored using the entity.store method. We use entity storage here since this value chosen is specific to the entity the user is working on.
  • Every time the widget loads, the chosen value stored using the entity.store method is retrieved using the entity.retrieve method and checked against the radio element options. This allows the chosen value to be enabled and displayed to the user every time the widget loads.
We can use the same snippet across the issue entity as well.

Now that we've completed the setup for both the widgets and have all the extension components ready, let's go ahead and see the output.

Sample output:
                                                

This example demonstrates how to efficiently use data storage for extension properties. The data stored against an extension/app can be retrieved across multiple entities to perform logical functions. Additionally, in this example, we also witnessed code reusability across multiple entities. You may enhance this example by incorporating more than one feedback/review question.

In this way, you can use extension properties to store data across an extension/app. We hope you found this information useful. Follow this space for more insights!

Sign up for a Zoho Developer account and start developing extensions for Zoho Projects using Sigma.

SEE ALSO



    • Recent Topics

    • Does Zoho Learn integrate with Zoho Connect,People,Workdrive,Project,Desk?

      Can we propose Zoho LEarn as a centralised Knowledge Portal tool that can get synched with the other Zoho products and serve as a central Knowledge repository?

    • Request to Update Billing Information and Payment Method

      Hello, I’m using Zoho and I would like to update the billing information and change the payment card to our company card. Could you please let me know how I can do this? Thank you in advance for your help.

    • Zoho Analytics "Esc" key problem

      I frequently use the Escape (Esc) key while building dashboards, reports, and writing SQL queries. Since the recent updates to Zoho Analytics, the Esc key no longer behaves as expected. When writing SQL queries, pressing Esc to dismiss a suggestion now

    • Zoho Analytics Filter Bug

      I encountered a bug where typing the letter "A" in the drop-down filter of a table or query table causes the drop-down to close unexpectedly. For example, when typing "Today", the drop-down list closes as soon as "a" is entered. I tested this on another

    • Zoho CRM Kiosk question – Passing Screen Fields to a Function

      I am building a Kiosk in Zoho CRM to create new Supplier (Vendors) records. Current setup: Screen 1 contains user input fields: Supplier Name (Vendor_Name) First Name (First_Name) I created a Deluge function: createSupplier(vendor_name, first_name) The

    • Using Email Triggers on Zoho Flow

      Hello, I'm sending the email to create the variables as this article says: https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/flow/user-guide/create-a-flow/articles/email-trigger#How_email_trigger_works But the collection of the variables only seems to work when the

    • Number of Reopn

      Hi Zoho, Is there any appropriate API call for This URL "http://support.zoho.com/api/v1/dashboards/reopenedTickets?...." what I thought is the resulting output of this call has data for number of reopen... "https://desk.zoho.com/api/v1/tickets/" + Ticket_ID

    • 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

    • How to customize the "Placeholder Text" separately from the "Field Label" on the Booking Form?

      Hi, I am currently customizing the Booking Form for one of my Workspaces in Zoho Bookings, and I need some help adjusting a custom text field. Right now, when I create a custom text field, the gray "placeholder text" inside the text box automatically

    • 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

    • Introducing Spotlight Forms

      Hey form builders! If someone opens your form, sees the wall of fields ahead, and quietly closes the tab. It may not be because the questions were hard. It could be because the experience felt like too much. Which is why we have now introduced a new form

    • Workflow Assistance in Zoho CRM

      Our client's sales team visits customers on-site and currently fills a physical paper form to capture customer details, and then separately re-enters the same data into Zoho CRM via the mobile app — resulting in double data entry. We want the salesperson

    • Blueprint Not Triggering When Lead Status Is Updated by Workflow (IndiaMART Integration)

      I have set up a blueprint that triggers when a lead’s status is “New Lead.” Our CRM is integrated with IndiaMART, and when leads are created from IndiaMART, their Lead Status is initially set to None. To handle this, I created a workflow that automatically

    • Related products & AI product recommendations through commerce API.

      Hello Zoho team I’m looking to add related products and AI product recommendations to my Zoho Commerce webshop with custom storefront. Is this supported through the API? And if not, is this on your roadmap? Thanks in advance David

    • 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

    • Pasting Images in Zoho Desk ignores cursor location

      My team has reported an issue which started recently where when we paste an image into a new or existing reply or comment, the pasted image seems to ignore the current cursor location instead paste itself at the last character present in the reply/comment,

    • 'Pinned' notes feature of a pipeline record

      Hi team, Could you please implement a feature which will allow users to pin different notes so that they will appear at the very top of the notes tab in a pipeline record. Sometimes we have a wide range of notes on a record which means more important

    • Canvas Detail View Related List Sorting

      Hello, I am having an issue finding a way to sort a related list within a canvas detail view. I have sorted the related list on the page layout associated with the canvas view, but that does not transfer to the canvas view. What am I missing?

    • Announcing new features in Trident for Mac (1.37.0)

      Hello everyone! We’re excited to introduce the latest updates to Trident, which are designed to take workplace communication to the next level. Let’s dive into the details. Import EML archives directly into Trident. You can now import EML archives into

    • Zia Agent activation in Zoho Desk forces new Organization creation instead of deploying to existing one

      While attempting to complete the deployment and activation sequence of a new Zia Agent within our existing Zoho Desk environment, the activation process failed on the user interface, throwing a generic error (see print). However, despite the activation

    • #10 Bill While You Sleep

      A consultant is reviewing last month's work. Client meetings? Done. Deliverables? Sent. Support requests? Resolved. Then they realize something. "I have completed the work... but I haven't billed the client yet." The work was completed. The client was

    • Team Module Issues?

      We are testing Team Licenses for use by our Customer Service staff. I created a Teamspace called CSR and only assigned two users to this space: Administrator (me) and “Team License Test.” Team License Test is assigned to the Team User profile, with a

    • Access images from form submission in power automate

      Images from form submission show up as links in power automate. How do I access the image data?

    • Forms cannot be accessed.

      https://forms.zoho.com/ is not available, please help to fix

    • Associate records via the Multi-select lookup RELATED LIST via API

      In the REST API, is there a way to associate records for a multi-select lookup related list other than via the linking module? There are two methods for the lookup: 1. via insert records API 2. via the linking module ...as described in https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/kaizen-125-manipulating-multi-select-lookup-fields-mxn-using-zoho-crm-apis

    • Problem with CRM Connection not Refreshing Token

      I've setup a connection with Zoom in the CRM. I'm using this connection to automate some registrations, so my team doesn't have to manually create them in both the CRM and Zoom. Connection works great in my function until the token expires. It does not refresh and I have to manually revoke the connection and connect it again. I've chatted with Zoho about this and after emailing me that it couldn't be done I asked for specifics on why and they responded. "The connection is CRM is not a feature to

    • How do I post a new question in Zoho Community forums?

      Hi everyone, I’m new to the Zoho Community and I’m trying to figure out how to properly create and publish a new topic in the forum. When I visit the community page, I can’t clearly find the option like “Add Topic” or “Post Question.” Could someone guide

    • Kaizen #245 - Real Time Signal Alerts for High-Value Abandoned Checkouts

      Howdy, Tech Wizards! Welcome back to another week of Kaizen. In this post, we will build a real-time abandoned checkout notification system using Stripe, Zoho CRM Functions, Sales Signals, and Widgets. When a customer abandons a high-value purchase, Zoho

    • Unable to attach Fillable File Upload field to Merge Template ever since UI update

      Ever since the new UI update, the field for Attachments for sending document for Signing in Writer has had an issue where trying to add a Fillable item in the Attachment field ends up always becoming a "Choose a File From Drive" option instead. No matter

    • Latest updates in Zoho Meeting | An improved Analytics tab and user interface, an invite pop-up revamp, an enhanced Zoho Meeting iOS app, a recording feature in the Android app, and more

      Hello everyone, We’re excited to share a few updates and enhancements in Zoho Meeting. Here's what we've been working on lately: Improved analytics for meetings, an invite pop-up revamp, a multi-video feed interface in the iOS app, a recording feature

    • Inquiry Regarding Automated Assignment of Zoho TeamInbox Messages using Zoho Flow and Deluge

      Hello, Our company is currently using Zoho TeamInbox, and we are interested in automating the assignment of responsible parties using tools such as ZOHO Flow and Deluge. Is it possible to achieve this? Allow me to provide more details. Currently, when

    • Kaizen #125 Manipulating Multi-Select Lookup fields (MxN) using Zoho CRM APIs

      Hello everyone! Welcome back to another week of Kaizen. In last week's post in the Kaizen series, we discussed how subforms work in Zoho CRM and how to manipulate subform data using Zoho CRM APIs. In this post, we will discuss how to manipulate a multi-select

    • [Bug] WebAuthn passkey registration blocked on rpIds with TLDs longer than 6 characters (.accountant, .technology, etc.) — isValidDomain regex too strict

      Hi, Filing on behalf of an enterprise customer where Zoho Vault is deployed across the company. The Chrome extension blocks WebAuthn passkey registration on legitimate sites whose Relying Party ID (rpId) has a TLD longer than 6 letters. This affects every

    • Celebrating the businesses behind Bigin: Customer Awards 2026

      Hello Biginners, We're excited to announce the very first Bigin Customer Awards! If Bigin has played a role in your organization's journey, we'd love to hear about it. Share your story for a chance to be recognized among the best Bigin users across industries.

    • Client Script Button in Related List become invalid

      Hi, I am the admin of our organization. And I setup a client script button in related list to raise payment refund request While this button become non selectable recently. I believe there is something wrong from zoho as this button had run for a year.

    • Send Email Directly to Channel

      Hi, We are coming from Slack. In Slack each channel has a unique Email address that you can send emails too. I currently forward a specific type of email from my Gmail InBox directly do this channel for Verification Codes so my team doesn't have to ask

    • Zoho Desk: Auto-resizing of the "Description" textarea when creating a ticket.

      I would like to suggest an improvement for Zoho Desk regarding the Auto-Height-Resizing for Description field on the “Create a Ticket” page. It would be highly beneficial if the editor supported auto-resize functionality, allowing it to adjust dynamically

    • [URGENT] Cannot access Functions tab in CRM

      Navigating to /settings/functions/myFunctions gives this error message: "Sorry, something went wrong. Please try again later." I raised this issue with Zoho Support on Monday (3 days ago) but have not heard back. I'm sure it's clear how important it is

    • Not able to see appointements when the territory permission is activated

      Hello, I created different territories to separate the various departments within the company that will be working on different projects. The issue I am currently experiencing is that when I enable territory-based permissions, I can see the work order

    • Accepting Event from Outlook Client

      I've noticed this behavior for a few years now. If an Event is created from CRM and sent to participants and the participant accepts the invitation using Outlook client, Zoho event won't be updated as "Going" it only works if the recipient accepts it

    • Next Page