Building extensions #5: Integrating applications with Zoho Projects through Connections

Building extensions #5: Integrating applications with Zoho Projects through Connections

In our last post, we discussed the essential features that a Zoho Projects extension can provide. Starting with this post andin every subsequent post going forward, we'll go through each of those features in depth, one by one, with an example use case.
In this post, we'll explore the Connections feature in detail.

Connections: When and why?

Creating a tightly coupled integration requires the establishment of a secure connection between applications. To achieve this secured connection, the Sigma platform provides the Connection feature that can be used to establish a secure link and perform data operations across applications seamlessly and efficiently through an extension.

Use case

Working on development-related tasks might require dealing with a variety of files, such as code snippets, help documents, or service level agreements. While several file management applications are available to securely store and organize data, manually handling file storage between applications remains challenging.

For our example, let's use Zoho Projects to manage all tasks, and Dropbox to manage and store data.

What is the difficulty faced?

Dropbox offers a file request feature that allows you to collect files and organize them into folders. However, as we talked about in our previous post, manually categorizing and uploading task-related files to their respective file request folders in Dropbox would be a time-consuming and laborious activity. Instead, it would be more efficient to integrate Dropbox with Zoho Projects so that uploading task files to Dropbox file request folders can be done instantly from within Zoho Projects.


How can it be sorted?

You can create a connection between Zoho Projects and Dropbox. With the secure connection setup, the file request folders available in Dropbox can be listed on the task details page of Zoho Projects through an extension. You may then easily upload files from Zoho Projects to their corresponding folders in Dropbox, saving time and making you more organized.

What are the components required to achieve this use case?

  1. A connection between Zoho Projects and Dropbox.
  2. An extension configuration that includes:
  • Creating an extension
  • Configuring the plugin manifest
  • Setting up the widget code to display the Dropbox file request folders inside the Zoho Projects task details page.
Now, let's see how we can achieve each of these components.

1. Creating a secure connection using the Connection feature

  • Log in or sign up into developer.zoho.com.
  • Go to Sigma and access your workspace.
  • Once you enter your workspace, select the Connections section in Sigma.
Note: Connections created in Zoho Projects are also accessible within the Connections section in Sigma. These connections can be used in extensions to connect with other applications.

  • Choose the service as Zoho Projects and select your Zoho Projects organization. Click on Create Connection.

  • Sigma offers a list of default services from which you can choose and easily connect with Zoho Projects. If the application you want to integrate isn’t in the default list, you can add and build a connection with it using the custom services option.
Note: If you’re looking to connect Zoho Projects with another Zoho Product that also follows the OneAuth authentication mechanism, select the service Zoho OneAuth from the Default Services list to create the connection.

  • In our example, the application to connect with Zoho Projects is Dropbox, and because it’s in the Default Services list, go ahead and choose Dropbox.

  • After choosing the service, enter the connection name. A connection link name will be populated automatically.
  • Toggle Use credentials of login user to Yes if you want every user installing the extension to access the connection using their own login credentials, or No if admin credentials are enough to access the connection.
  • In our example, we'll proceed with the former. So toggle to Yes, and then click Create and connect.
Note: For services in which the option to choose the scopes is displayed, choose the necessary scopes, and then click Create and connect.

  • You’ll be directed through a series of authorization steps before being prompted to connect with Dropbox by entering your login information.
  • The connection will be established successfully once you sign in with Dropbox, and you will be redirected to the Connection Summary details page in Sigma.
  • To access this connection as part of an extension, you’ll need to configure the sample code provided under the JSON section in the plugin-manifest.json file. We’ll explore this in the next section.

2. Extension configuration

Now that we've successfully established our connection, let's look at how we can achieve our use case feature of displaying the Dropbox file request folder within the Zoho Projects task detail page. As mentioned earlier, to accomplish this, we’ll need to implement the following measures.
A. Create an extension

B. Configure the plugin-manifest.json file

C. Set up the widget code
Let's explore these steps in order.

A. Create an extension
B. Configure the plugin-manifest.json file
  • As previously stated, to access the connection established between Zoho Projects and Dropbox, the connection must first be configured in the plugin-manifest.json file.
  • Copy the JSON sample code from the Connection Summary Details page and paste it into the plugin-manifest.jsonfile as the value for the connections key.

  • You will also need to white list the Dropbox domain for Dropbox calls to be processed without being blocked.
  • Include the domain in the plugin-mainfest.json file as the value for the whiteLitsedDomains key.

  • As we saw in our earlier post, the plugin-manifest.json file includes a widget called Projects Extension by default. For our example, because we’re connecting with Dropbox and constructing a widget that will include Dropbox request folders to upload files, enter the widget name and location.

  • The final configured plugin-manifest.json file for our example would be as follows:
  1. {
  2. "connectors": [{
  3. "connectionLinkName": "dropbox",
  4. "userAccess": true,
  5. "sharedBy": "xxxxxxx",
  6. "connectionName": "dropbox",
  7. "serviceName": "dropbox",
  8. "isUserDefinedService": false
  9. }],
  10. "whiteListedDomains": ["https://api.dropboxapi.com"],
  11. "service": "PROJECTS",
  12. "cspDomains": {
  13. "connect-src": []
  14. },
  15. "storage": true,
  16. "locale": ["en"],
  17. "config": [],
  18. "modules": {
  19. "widgets": [{
  20. "name": "Dropbox - File Upload",
  21. "location": "taskdetails_rightpanel",
  22. "url": "/app/dropbox.html"
  23. }],
  24. "triggers": []
  25. }
  26. }

C. Setting up the widget code

Now, that we’ve created an extension and configured the plugin manifest file, let's finally set up the widget code in order to display all Dropbox file request folders inside our task details right panel.

Dropbox.html widget code: Please find the widget code snippet as an attachment in this post.
  • In this widget code, we’ve invoked the Dropbox API to list file request folders by constructing and passing the required data along with the connection we had established for Dropbox.
  • The API will be invoked and return all of the file request folders in the task details right panel, from which users can click on the link and directly upload files to Dropbox from within a task in Zoho Projects itself.
Sample output
  • Once the code is setup, publish and install the extension to check the functionality in the Zoho Projects portal.
  • Enter a task and click the extensions icon in the right panel.

  • From the lists of your Dropbox file requests, select the requests to which you wish to upload files.

  • The file will be successfully uploaded in the respective Dropbox file request.


We’ve demonstrated how to upload files directly to Dropbox file request folders from within Zoho Projects in this example. As part of your extension, you can use the Connections feature to do a variety of tasks, some of which are highlighted below.
  • View and update files associated with a certain request.
  • Create Dropbox folders and share them with collaborators.

Connections, therefore serves as a powerful tool that assists you in establishing a connection with other apps and performing smooth data transactions across your applications, thereby improving business functions and optimizing your work.

We hope this information was useful to you. Continue to follow us for further updates!

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

SEE ALSO


Next>>

    • Recent Topics

    • Manage booking pages from your Android phone

      Hello everyone! We are happy to announce that users can now add and manage booking pages from their Bigin Android app. It is a multi-step form that users can create for purposes like booking appointments, scheduling calls or meetings, conducting webinars,

    • Zoho Team Inbox - roadmap

      Hi, would be good to understand the Teaminbox roadmap, in particular: 1. API / Zoho Deluge connections. We have a process where the each email needs to be either tagged or assigned daily. It would be great if we could automate a 5pm alert for any exemptions

    • Zoho CRM Community Digest - July 2026 | Part 1

      Hello everyone, July is here! The first two weeks brought six CRM updates ranging from privacy-ready webforms to a significantly more powerful Layout Rules engine, two community wins worth a look (a dashboard workaround for spotting leads with no activities,

    • How do I migrate from Office 365 to Zoho Mail?

      Check out Advik Email Migration Wizard, this software is specially developed to move mailboxes from Office 365 to Zoho Webmail. In addition you can migrate from Gmail, Yahoo, Rediffmail and 80+ webmail servers to ZOHO MAIL. Isn't it amazing? This is an all in one email migration solution. Steps to export emails from Office 365 to Zoho Webmail are as follows; Run Advik Email Migration Tool in your system. Select Office 365 as source and enter its login credentials. Select mailbox folders and choose

    • Topics not loading in individual contact records in Zoho Marketing Automation

      When working correctly, an individual contact record in ZMA shows a "Topics" section in the "Subscription" tab of the individual record. However, in 2+ different Zoho accounts and different browsers, the "Topics" section doesn't load and instead it spins

    • Help: Capture full page URL in hidden field when same Zoho Form is embedded on multiple pages (iframe)

      Hi all, Goal Use one Zoho Form across multiple pages and record the exact page URL (incl. subdomain + path + hash) where the user submitted it. Example pages: https://www.example.com/cargo/ https://www.example.com/cargo/containers/#contact https://cargo.example.com/auto/

    • how to get transcripts with speaker and time marks?

      Hello, I downloaded the transcript of a recent meeting and noticed that the TXT file does not bring the speaker name and the time mark. Is there any way to make it happen using ootb resources from Zoho Meeting? best

    • SalesIQ's Summer '26 Release: For The Moments That Matter

      Every customer journey is made up of moments. The moment someone discovers your business. The moment they need help. The moment you decide to reach out. The moment a simple chat turns into something more. And the moments that continue long after the conversation

    • Cannot deploy digital employee-

      I followed the guide here https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/salesiq-2-0/for-administrators/operators/articles/zia-agents-in-zoho-salesiq#Supported_SalesIQ_Tools but no matter how many times I try I cannot for the love of god make it work I get this error

    • Displaying only unread tickets in ticket view

      Hello, I was wondering if someone might be able to help me with this one. We use filters to display our ticket list, typically using a saved filter which displays the tickets which are overdue or due today. What I'd really like is another filter that

    • 【受付開始】Zoholics Japan 2026 開催のご案内

      Zoho が年に一度開催するユーザー向けイベント「Zoholics」。 今年は 「AI-Powered DX with Zoho」 をテーマに、2026年9月25日（金）に 東京駅直結の会場とオンラインのハイブリッド形式で開催します。 今すぐ申し込む AIの活用が加速する今、業務効率化やDX推進に取り組む企業にとって、 「どのようにAIを業務へ取り入れ、成果につなげるか」が重要なテーマとなっています。 Zoholicsでは、Zohoの最新AI機能や製品アップデートに加え、実際の活用事例や業務改善のヒントをご紹介します。

    • Print checks for owner's draw

      Hi.  Can I use Zoho check printing for draws to Owner's Equity?  This may be a specific case of the missing Pay expenses via Check feature.  If it's not available, are there plans to add this feature?

    • Reconciliation: don't auto-select transactions outside the entered Period

      When initiating a reconciliation for a defined Period (say April 1 to April 30), Zoho Books auto-checks transactions whose Statement Detail dates fall after the period end date. With "Show based on grouped bank statements" enabled (the default), the screen

    • How can be requests for new job managed in Zoho recruit?

      If we use both Zoho people and recruit, can our managers (heads of department) use Zoho products to create requests for new job to HR department? The current workflow is following: a head of department needs some extra HR, he creates a request describing the job and send it to HR director, HR director approves a request and forward to a HR manager. I see only one way to partly solve the problem - grant the heads of departments recruit administrator permissions, so they could create new jobs. It is

    • Linking the Overview window between reports on a dashboard

      Is there a way to link the Overview window for two or more charts on a dashboard? We have several dashboards where users often want to set the window for 3 or 4 reports to the same time period. Doing it manually is time-consuming and cumbersome, but I

    • Subforms and automation

      If a user updates a field how do we create an automation etc. We have a field for returned parts and i want to get an email when that field is ticked. How please as Zoho tells me no automation on subforms. The Reason- Why having waited for ever for FSM

    • "code":3001 ["Failed to update data."]

      I would like to seek your expertise - I might be wrong on my approach also.. I highly appreciate your advice. 1 problem remains is when a new row was added on the existing one [from another form that trigger upon Successful form submission ], it gets

    • BUG: If you put "Blueprint" at the top of Workqueue, tab switching leads to long loading and no display

    • WORKFLOW ISSUE: Zoho Finance Extension

      Workflows are no longer triggering in my extension. This is true for the testing environment and 5 other organizations it is installed on. There are no conditions set for the workflow, and this is true for both create and delete related actions. Workflows

    • Drive Zoho CRM adoption and usage through our native integration with Zoho DAP

      You chose Zoho CRM for its depth: its powerful automation, its rich analytics, and its extensive customizability. But there's a hidden last mile in every rollout: the gap between the software's capabilities and your team's daily execution. When new hires

    • Moving from Office365 to Zoho Mail

      I have few mailboxes on Office365. One of the mailbox is coming up for renewal. How can I move this mailbox to Zoho Mail and continue to have other mail boxes continue to use Office365 mail? Thanks, -Naveen

    • Best sales insights for target accounts?

      Question for all the sales power-users out there: I would like to gain insights from Zoho CRM for a rotating list of target accounts. Each Outside Salesperson has 5 target accounts, and they can change these targets quarterly with management approval.

    • WhatsApp Vendors

      Hello, so WhatsApp works with the below, mainly with the customer side modules. Can we get functionality on the vendor side modules? WhatsApp is often the preferred method of communication with some vendors. Credit Notes Payment Receipts Sales Receipts

    • Text on Zoho Sign confirmation dialouge is very small compared to text used everywhere else on Zoho Sign.

      I've reported multiple times through Zoho's support email that the text on this notification is very small in contrast to all the other text on the Zoho Sign app. I think it's a bug and it just needs the font size to be increased. It's very minor but

    • Time Zone is incorrect

      Time zone is not working properly...I've checked it twice. I'm eastern U.S. time it's currently 12:22 pm EST. CRM shows 3:22 pm EST.

    • Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates for V3 Attendee Apps | Zoho Backstage

      Keeping participants on the latest version of your event app shouldn’t depend on App Store or Play Store review timelines. With Over-the-Air (OTA) updates for our V3 attendee app, the latest version is delivered directly to participants through an in-app

    • Please Remove the Confirmation Popup

      Currently, every time a recruiter changes the status of a candidate in Zoho Recruit, a popup confirmation appears that requires clicking “OK, Got it” before proceeding. This creates unnecessary friction in the workflow, especially for users handling high

    • Zoho Projects: Q2 Updates 2026

      Dear Users, During the first quarter, we launched our most advanced version of Zoho Projects, namely Zoho Projects Infinity. With support for Custom Modules, Custom Dashboards & Reports, along with built-in AI tools, we enabled users to create their own

    • Overview on users IMAP settings

      We have about 30 users who all have the channels/email/email configuration/IMAP integration/O365 enabled and emails are synchronized. Here my problem: Passwords for the email accounts are expiring on individual bases and most of the users forget to update

    • What is a realistic turnaround time for account review for ZeptoMail?

      On signing up it said 2-3 business days. I am on business-day 6 and have had zero contact of any kind. No follow-up questions, no approval or decline. Attempts to "leave a message" or use the "Contact Us" form have just vanished without a trace. It still

    • crm to books

      We currently sync CRM Contacts to Zoho Books Customers using two-way sync. We now wish to change to "Accounts & their Contacts". What happens to existing Books customers? Will they be merged with CRM Accounts, duplicated, left unchanged, or recreated?

    • Alternate color rows

      After I changed the background color to a dark gray and changed the alternate rows to a light gray. I have discovered that I can no longer change the text in the light gray rows to Bold.

    • Tax/Vat Number Field As Standard - Customer & Vendor

      Hello, when are you'll going to have the customer & vendor tax/vat number as a standard field under the relevant profile pages? I find it strange that after 6 years of using Zoho Inventory that I still have to use a custom field for a tax/vat number,

    • Restricting coupon codes and plans to specific customers

      Having the ability to restrict coupon codes, plans and add ons to specific customers (new or existing) e.g. sending an invite link out to a certain customer or allowing a certain group of customers the ability to use a certain promo code or sign up to

    • Coupon Management Lacks functionality

      Hey Zoho Team, Let me start of by saying I'm a huge fan of the entire Zoho suite. I have a couple of thoughts about the way coupons are handled and believe there they are in need of some improvement. There are a couple of key issues: 1. Coupons need to

    • Free Webinar Alert! Zoho Mail + Zoho CRM: Turn inbox replies into CRM deals

      Hello Zoho Community! Are your sales conversations happening in Zoho Mail while your customer data lives in Zoho CRM? Join our upcoming webinar to learn how integrating the two can help you automate follow-ups, capture leads faster, and keep every customer

    • Introducing the Employee Portal for internal job posting

      Employee referrals and internal applications are one of the most trusted hiring channels. But in many organizations, employees only hear about openings through messages, word of mouth, or after the role has already been open for a while. When employees

    • Marketing Tip #42: Keep policy pages updated and accessible

      Policy pages may not be the most exciting part of your store, but they play a big role in building trust. Before buying, many customers look for information on shipping, returns, refunds, privacy, and terms. If these pages are missing, outdated, or hard

    • Extend the Image Choice Field

      Hi, The New Yes/No field is great for what it does, and the Image Choice Field is good but could be better with some functions from the Yes/No field. Take an example, rather than just Yes/No you want Yes/No/Maybe (Or more than 3 choices), but unlike the

    • Migrate from Zoho Mail to G Suite

      I am unable to find any documentation on how one can migrate from Zoho Mail to another platform, like G Suite or Office 365. Please point me to the right documentation. Thank you.

    • Next Page