Kaizen #149: Using GraphQL APIs to fetch data in a consolidated way

Hello everyone!

Welcome to this week's post in the Kaizen Series! This week, we will discuss GraphQL APIs, a query language that provides an efficient, powerful, and flexible method for fetching and manipulating data from Zoho CRM.

Let us consider the scenario of a large industrial equipment manufacturer,  Zylker Manufacturing.  They utilize Zoho CRM to streamline their sales processes and customer relationship management. Their sales support team uses a legacy system to manage their activities. When a contact seeks support, the support team must have access to the latest data from Zoho CRM to assist them better. They need:

• details of the contact, such as email, phone, and Account details
• details of the ongoing deals of the contact, including potential revenue and stages .
  

With GraphQL APIs, with a single API call, you can create custom unified view that combine information from multiple Zoho CRM modules. This allows the support team to view all relevant information in one place, making it easier to manage sales processes and customer interactions. To create the view, metadata of the fields is also required.  This structured approach in GraphQL allows Zylker Manufacturing to efficiently aggregate data.

You need to construct a GraphQL query to fetch specific data related to a contact and associated deals, as well as metadata about the fields in the Contacts and Deals modules. Let's break down each part of the query that can achieve this.

1. Fetching Contact and Deal Information

Records: Records comprises the records from the different Zoho CRM modules. Contacts: Specifies that we want to query the records of the Contacts module. The where clause filters the contacts based on their email address. _data: This indicates the fields we want to retrieve from the records. In this case: Email: Fetches the email of the contact. Full_Name: Fetches the full name of the contact. Deals__r: Fetches the related deal record of the Contact.  Expected_Revenue: Fetches the expected revenue from each deal. Deal_Name: Fetches the name of each deal. Stage: Fetches the current stage of each deal.

Records {     Contacts(where: { Email: { equals: "krismarrier@noemail.com" } }) {         _data {             Email {                 value}             Full_Name {                 value}             Deals__r {                 _data {                     Expected_Revenue {                         value}                     Deal_Name {                         value}                     Stage {                         value                     }}}}}}

2. Fetching Metadata for Contacts

Meta: This fetches the details of the metadata for Contacts module. It uses the alias "contact_meta" Modules(filter: { api_name: "Contacts" }): Specifies that we want to fetch the metadata of the Contacts module. _data: This indicates the fields we want to retrieve. In this case: id: The unique identifier for the module. api_name: The API name for the module. module_name: The name of the module. description: The description of the module. plural_label, singular_label: Labels used for the module. fields: Retrieves metadata for specific fields within the module. filter: { api_names: ["Last_Name", "Email"] }: Specifies which fields' metadata to retrieve.For each field, it retrieves: id: Field identifier. api_name: API name for the field. display_label: The display name of the field. json_type: The data type as represented in JSON. data_type: The Zoho CRM data type of the field.

contact_meta: Meta {     Modules(filter: { api_name: "Contacts" }) {       _data {         id         api_name         module_name         description         singular_label         plural_label         fields(filter: { api_names: ["Last_Name", "Email"] }) {           _data {             id             api_name             display_label             json_type             data_type           }         }       }     }  }

3. Fetching Metadata for Deals

Meta: This fetches the details of the metadata for Deals module. It uses the alias "deal_meta" Modules(filter: { api_name: "Deals" }): Specifies that we want to fetch the metadata of the Deals module. _data: This indicates the fields we want to retrieve. In this case: id: The unique identifier for the module. api_name: The API name for the module. module_name: The name of the module. description: description of the module. plural_label, singular_label: Labels used for the module. fields: Retrieves metadata for specific fields within the module. filter:  api_names: ["Expected_Revenue", "Deal_Name","Stage"] }: Specifies which fields' metadata to retrieve.For each field, it retrieves: id: Field identifier. api_name: API name for the field. display_label: The display name of the field. json_type: The data type as represented in JSON. data_type: The Zoho CRM data type of the field.

deal_meta: Meta {     Modules(filter: { api_name: "Deals" }) {         _data {             id             api_name             module_name             description             singular_label             plural_label             fields(filter: { api_names: ["Expected_Revenue", "Deal_Name","Stage"] }) {                 _data {                     api_name                     id                     display_label                     json_type                     data_type                 }             }         }     } }

The complete query will look this:

query {   Records {     Contacts(where: { Email: { equals: "krismarrier@noemail.com" } }) {       _data {         Email {           value         }         Full_Name {           value         }         Deals__r {           _data {             Expected_Revenue {               value             }             Deal_Name {               value             }             Stage {               value             }           }         }       }     }   }   contact_meta: Meta {     Modules(filter: { api_name: "Contacts" }) {       _data {         plural_label         id         api_name         module_name         description         singular_label         fields(filter: { api_names: ["Last_Name", "Email"] }) {           _data {             id             api_name             display_label             json_type             data_type           }         }       }     }   }   deal_meta: Meta {     Modules(filter: { api_name: "Deals" }) {       _data {         plural_label         id         api_name         module_name         description         singular_label         fields(           filter: { api_names: ["Expected_Revenue", "Deal_Name", "Stage"] }         ) {           _data {             api_name             id             display_label             json_type             data_type           }         }       }     }   } }

If you were to fetch this data using REST APIs, it will involve multiple calls to the 

• Query API
• Related Records API
• Modules meta API, and 
• Fields meta API.
  

Using the GraphQL query you can fetch the required data alone in a less round trip time. While constructing a query for your custom requirement, please note that you can query up to three levels of depth (nesting levels of a field) for Records and 7 levels of depth for Metadata. 

Constructing GraphQL query using Postman

To construct a GraphQL query in Postman to suit your requirements, type {api_domain}/crm/graphql in the URL box. Postman will automatically fetch the query schema in the schema explorer, which can be used to explore the types of queries that can be made, including what fields are available on each type, what arguments those fields accept, and what other types they return.   

Constructing a Zoho CRM GraphQL query in Postman using schema explorer

You can refer to the help documentation on GraphQL APIs for more details on GraphQL APIs. 

Update 25th Sep 2024:

GraphQL APIs are now open across all DCs including IN DC for Enterprise, Zoho One Enterprise, CRM Plus and Ultimate edition orgs. Please note that GraphQL APIs are not available for Trial Edition of these editions.

We hope you found this post useful. We will meet you next week with another interesting topic!

If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section or reach out to us directly at support@zohocrm.com.

Further Reading.                                                                                                                                

• Kaizen Series
  
• GraphQL Documentation
  

Previous Kaizen Post

• Kaizen #148 - 'trigger' in Records APIs

• Topic Participants

• Mable Mary M P

  

• 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

• Function #9: Copy attachments of Sales Order to Purchase Order on conversion

  This week, we have written a custom function that automatically copies the attachments uploaded for a sales order to the corresponding purchase order after you convert it. Here's how to configure it in your Zoho Books organization. Custom Function: Hit

• Free webinar: Security that works: Building resilience for the AI-powered workforce

  Hello there, Did you know that more than 51% of organizations worldwide have experienced one or more security breaches, each costing over $1 million in losses or incident response? In today’s threat landscape, simply playing defense is no longer enough.

• "Subject" or "Narration"in Customer Statement

  Dear Sir, While creating invoice, we are giving in "Subject" the purpose of invoice. For Example - "GST for the month of Aug 23", IT return FY 22-23", "Consultancy", Internal Audit for May 23". But this subject is not coming in Customer Statement. Only

• Apply Vendor Credit Automatically

  Hello!!! Is there a way where in we can apply vendor credits automatically on the FIRST OUTSTANDING BILL of the vendor?? We have lots of VENDOR CREDITS ISSUES mostly!!! Applying it manually is a pain for us. Would be great if we have a way to apply the

• Zoho Notebook Sync problem

  I'm facing a problem with syncing of notebook on android app. It's not syncing. Sometimes it syncs after a day or two.  I created some notes on web notebook but it's not syncing on mobile app. Please help!!!!

• Apply Vendor Credits Automatically

  We are bulk importing Vendor credits in Zoho Books!!! Is there a way to apply vendor credits automatically to the first UNPAID bill of the Vendor?

• Cant Save Gauge on Creator Page

  How to Save Gauge on Creator Page see movie https://vimeo.com/1116410860?share=copy#t=0

• Apply Advance option not shown in report

  We are facing an issue in Zoho Expenses. While approving an Expense Report, the "Apply Advance" option is not appearing under the three dots (More Options). Details: Module: Expense Reports Issue: "Apply Advance" option not visible Status of Report: Awaiting

• Auto Capitalize First Letter of Words

  Hi I am completely new to ZOHO and am trying to build a database. How can i make it when a address is entered into a form field like this: main st it automatically changes is to show: Main St Thank You

• Follow-up emails via Workflow Automation not staying in the same thread

  Dear Zoho Support Team, I am currently using Workflow Automation in Zoho Campaigns to send follow-up emails. In my test case, I noticed the following behavior: All emails in the automation have the same subject line. If the follow-up email is sent within

• Client Script refuses to set an initial value in Subform field

  I tried a very simple, 1 line client script to set a default value in a custom subform field when the "Add Row" button is clicked and the user is entering data. It does not work - can someone tell me why? ZDK documentation suggests this should be doable.

• Emails Are Not Being Delivered to My Inbox

  Hello Zoho Support Team, I am experiencing an issue with my Zoho Mail account. The most important problem is that emails are not being delivered to my inbox. Details: My Zoho Mail address: info@coreforcelife.com What happens: I am not receiving any incoming

• Help Center IFrame Issue

  I have had a working Help Center on my website using an iframe for a while. But now for some reason the sign in page gets a refused to connect error. Can someone please help. If I go to the url manually it works correclty

• Comment Templates

  Is it possible to add a template option for comments? We have some agents in the process who's responses require a pre-formatted layout. It would be incredibly handy to have a template for them where they can insert the template and then add their responses

• [ZohoDesk] Improve Status View with a new editeble kanban view

  A kanban view with more information about the ticket and the contact who created the ticket would be valueble. I would like to edit the fields with the ones i like to see at one glance. Like in CRM where you can edit the canvas view, i would like to edit

• Adding Markdown text using Zoho Desk API into the Knowledge Base

  Hi Zoho Community members, We currently maintain the documentation of out company in its website. This documentation is written in markdown text format and we would like to add it in Zoho Knowledge Base. Do you know if there is REST API functionality

• An Exclusive Session for Zoho Desk Users: AI in Zoho Desk

  A Zoho Community Learning Initiative Hello everyone! This is an announcement for Zoho Desk users and anyone exploring Zoho Desk. With every nook and corner buzzing, "AI's here, AI's there," it's the right time for us to take a closer look at how the AI

• Shared values: From classroom lessons to teaching moments in customer service

  While the world observes Teachers’ Day on October 5, in India, we celebrate a month earlier, on September 5, to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a great teacher, renowned scholar, educationist, and advocate for empowerment.

• Create a list of customers who participated in specific Zoho Backstage events and send them an email via Zoho CRM

  How to create a list of customers who participated in specific Zoho Backstage events and send them an email via Zoho CRM? I was able to do a view in CRM based on customer that registered to an event, but I don't seems to be able to include the filter

• Zoho Desk blank page

  1. Click Access zoho desk on https://www.zoho.com/desk/ 2. It redirects to https://desk.zoho.com/agent?action=CreatePortal and the page is blank. Edge browser Version 131.0.2903.112 (Official build) (arm64) on MacOS

• I hate the new user UI with the bar on the left

  How can I reverse this?

• Question regarding import of previous deals...

  Good afternoon, I'm working on importing some older deal records from an external sheet into the CRM; however, when I manually click "Add New Deal" and enter the pertinent information, the deal isn't appearing when I look at the "Deals" bar on the account's

• Client Script also planned for Zoho Desk?

  Hello there, I modified something in Zoho CRM the other day and was amazed at the possibilities offered by the "Client Script" feature in conjunction with the ZDK. You can lock any fields on the screen, edit them, you can react to various events (field

• One person/cell phone to manage multiple accounts

  Hi. I have a personal Free account to keep my own domain/emails. Now I need to create a Business account to my company's own domain, but I have only one mobile phone number I use to everything. How do I do to manage this? Can I manage a Free domain and

• Tracking KPIs, Goals etc in People

  How are Zoho People users tracking employee targets in People? For example, my marketing assistant has a target of "Collect 10 new customer testimonials every month". I want to record attainment for this target on a monthly basis, then add it to their

• Zoho Desk: Ticket Owner Agents vs Teams

  Hi Zoho, We would like to explore the possibility of hiding the ‘Agents’ section within the Ticket Owner dropdown, so that we can fully utilise the ‘Teams’ dropdown when assigning tickets. This request comes from the fact that only certain agents and

• Can not Use Attachment Button on Android Widget

  this always pops up when I touch the attach button on android widget. going to settings, there is no storage permission to be enabled. if I open the app, and access the attach feature there, I can access my storage and upload normally.

• Announcing new features in Trident for Mac (1.24.0)

  Hello everyone! Trident for macOS (v.1.24.0) is here with interesting features and thoughtful enhancements to redefine the way you plan and manage your calendar events. Here's a quick look at what's new. Create calendar events from emails. In addition

• Vendor Master Enhancements for Faster Purchase Entry

  I’d like to suggest a few features that will improve accuracy and speed during purchase voucher entry: Automated Item Tax Preference in Vendor Master Add an option to define item tax preference in the vendor master. Once set, this preference should automatically

• Mass Mail Statistics - Number of unsent emails

  How do I find out which emails were not sent?

• Est-il possible d'annuler l'envoi d'un mail automatique ?

  Bonjour, Lorsque je refuse un candidat, il reçois un mail dans les 24h pour l'informer que sa candidature n'est pas retenue. J'ai rejeté un candidat par erreur. Savez-vous s'il possible d'annuler l'envoi de ce mail ? Merci d'avance pour votre aide.

• embed a form in an email

  Hello, how to embed a form in an email that populates Zoho CRM cases? I would like to send emails to a selected audience offering something. In the same email the recipients - if interested - instead of replying to can fill in a Zoho CRM form that creates

• Zoho Bookings - Reserve with Google

  Does Zoho Bookings plan to to integrate with Reserve with Google?

• How to add Zoho demo site page designs to my Zoho Sites website

  Hi, I would like to add the design from the following demo URLs into my current Zoho website. I have already created two new pages on my site, named “Menu2” and “Menu3.” For the “Menu2” page, I want to use the design from this demo: https://naturestjuice-demo.zohosites.com/menu

• Digest Août - Un résumé de ce qui s'est passé le mois dernier sur Community

  Bonjour chère communauté ! Voici le résumé tant attendu de tout ce qui a marqué Zoho le mois dernier : contenus utiles, échanges inspirants et moments forts. 🎉 Découvrez Zoho Backstage 3.0 : une version repensée pour offrir encore plus de flexibilité,

• Global Sets for Multi-Select pick lists

  When is this feature coming to Zoho CRM? It would be very useful now we have got used to having it for the normal pick lists.

• Text snippet

  There is a nice feature in Zoho Desk called Text Snippet. It allows you to insert a bit of text anywhere in a reply that you are typing. That would be nice to have that option in Zoho CRM as well when we compose an email. Moderation Update: We agree that

• Kaizen #206 - Answering your Questions | Displaying Related Purchase Orders from Zoho Books in CRM Deals using Queries

  Hello everyone! We're back with another post in the Kaizen series. We're grateful for the feedback we received from all of you! One of the questions we received was "I would like to see the list of Purchase Orders in Zoho Books for a Deal in CRM." We

• Add Analytics function for Title case (capitalising each word in a string)

  At present, you can only capitalise each word in a string in Analytics during data import. It would be really useful to be able to do this with a formula column, but there is no Title Case function.

• How to conditionally embed an own internal widget with parameters in an html snippet?

  Hello everyone, I'm trying to create a dynamic view in a page using an HTML snippet. The goal is to display different content based on a URL parameter (input.step). I have successfully managed to conditionally display different forms using the following

• Next Page