Kaizen #181 - Mandating Subform Data for Blueprint Transitions using Widget

Hello Developers!

Welcome back to another week of Kaizen! 

This time, we are tackling a common challenge on how to enforce subform data from a different module before allowing a blueprint transition in Zoho CRM Deals module.

Many CRM workflows require checking and collecting related records' data across modules before advancing a deal, case, or order to the next stage. Zoho CRM Blueprint natively support subforms from Quotes, Sales Orders, and Invoices for the Deals module with the help of Associated Items in the transition settings. 

Let us explore how to mandate custom subforms' data from a different module for a blueprint transition.

Why Mandate Subform Data from a Different Module?

In Zoho CRM, subforms manage multiple data entries under a single parent record. However, certain blueprint transitions may depend on subform data from related modules, such as:  

• A Deal's transition may depend on the document data stored in the associated Contact’s subform.
• A Service Request requiring validation against a subform in the related Account before processing.  
• A Loan Application requiring income proof from the Customer’s subform before approval.  

Since blueprint transition rules only validate fields within the same module, you can use a custom widget to check and update subform data across modules before proceeding.

Business Scenario: Insurance Deals Qualification

Consider Zylker, an insurance company, using Zoho CRM to manage customers and streamline processes. Their sales process follows this blueprint when a deal reaches the Qualification stage:

Insurance Sales Blueprint

Steps to Build a Blueprint Widget

Step 1 - Review Basics

Refer to our earlier Kaizen on CLI Installation, Creating a Widget Project, and Internal hosting of the same.

Step 2 - Develop your Widget

After setting up the widget project using CLI, implement the logic based on your business case.

Here’s the logic for the sample use case we are discussing:

Widget Execution During Transition

• When the user clicks the Collect Requirements transition, the widget loads.
• Using the PageLoad event listener, retrieve the current record's ID and module name.
• Use the GET Records API via its JS SDK to fetch the Contact ID linked to the Deal. 
  

ZOHO.embeddedApp.on("PageLoad", function(data) {       // Fetch the current page's record details       const recordId = data.EntityId;       const moduleName = data.Entity;       ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({Entity: moduleName, RecordID: recordId})         .then(function(response) {           const record = response.data[0];           console.log("Current Record Details:", record);           // Fetch the associated contact ID  contactId = record.Contact_Name.id;

Check and Collect Required Document Details

• Using the Contact ID, run a COQL query using Connection JS SDK to check if each Document Category has at least one entry in the Document Details subform.

Notes
In invoke connection JS SDK, use param type 2 for the API request payload inside the parameter key and param type 1 for regular parameters.

Explore the Working with Connections help page and create a connection with the necessary scopes to invoke the COQL API.

• If all four categories (Address Proof, ID Proof, Income Proof, Medical Report) have at least one entry, the widget allows the transition immediately.
• If any category is missing, the widget prompts the user to enter the details in a table that mirrors the Document Details subform in the Contacts module.
  

// Make a query API call            const query = {             "select_query": `select Document_Category,COUNT(id) from Document_Details where id is not null and Parent_Id='${contactId}' group by Document_Category`           };           ZOHO.CRM.CONNECTION.invoke("crm_oauth_connection", {             method: "POST",             url: "https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v7/coql",             parameters: query,             param_type: 2,             headers: {               "Content-Type": "application/json"             }  }).then(function(response) {      const data = response.details.statusMessage.data;             if (response.details.statusMessage === "" || (data && data.length < 4)) {               createSubformUI();               document.getElementById('contentContainer').style.display = 'block';             } else if (data && data.length === 4) {               document.getElementById('messageContainer').style.display = 'block';               // Enable the "Move to Next State" button if all files are already updated               const nextStateButton = document.querySelector('.nextStateButton');               nextStateButton.disabled = false;               nextStateButton.style.backgroundColor = '';              }  })

Update the Contact's Subform

• The user enters the document details and clicks the Save button in the widget. 
• Since subform updates act like a PATCH request, any existing record IDs must be included in the update payload to retain them. To get the existing subform record IDs make a  GET Records API call via its JS SDK. 
  

async function getExisitingSubFormRecords(contactId) { let exisitingRecords = []; awaitasync function getExisitingSubFormRecords(contactId) { let exisitingRecords = []; await ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({ Entity: "Contacts", RecordID: contactId }) .then(function (response) { const record = response.data[0]; console.log("Current Record Details:", record); if (record.Document_Details) { record.Document_Details.forEach(function (document) { exisitingRecords.push({id: document.id}); }); } }) .catch(function (error) { console.error("Error fetching records:", error); }); return exisitingRecords; } ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({ Entity: "Contacts", RecordID: contactId }) .then(function (response) { const record = response.data[0]; console.log("Current Record Details:", record); record.Document_Details.forEach(function (document) { exisitingRecords.push({id: document.id}); }); }) .catch(function (error) { console.error("Error fetching records:", error); }); return exisitingRecords; }

• Clicking the Save button executes the following actions:
  -> Uploads the selected file to Zoho File System (ZFS) using the Upload File API through its JS SDK.
  -> Updates the Document Details subform in the associated Contact record by adding the file ID from the upload response and each row's entry using the Update Records API (via the Update Record JS SDK).
• Once the subform is successfully updated, the widget allows the transition to next Blueprint state.
  

async function updateRecord(event) { event.preventDefault(); // Collect user entries from each row const rows = document.querySelectorAll('#documentsTable tbody tr'); const documentDetails = await Promise.all(Array.from(rows).map(async (row, index) => { const documentCategory = row.querySelector('select[name="documentCategory"]').value; const documentNumber = row.querySelector('input[name="documentNumber"]').value; const documentName = row.querySelector('input[name="documentName"]').value; const documentFile = row.querySelector('input[name="upload"]').files[0]; const fileId = await uploadFile(documentFile); return { Document_Category: documentCategory, Document_Number: documentNumber, Document_Name: documentName, Upload: [ { file_id: fileId } ] }; })); // Get the existing subform records const existingRecords = await getExisitingSubFormRecords(contactId); // Merge the existing records with the new records existingRecords.forEach(record => documentDetails.push(record)); // Prepare the payload for the update API call const payload = { id: contactId, Document_Details: documentDetails }; // Make the update API call ZOHO.CRM.API.updateRecord({ Entity: "Contacts", APIData: payload }).then(function (updateResponse) { console.log("Update response:", updateResponse); const saveButton = document.querySelector('.saveButton'); saveButton.textContent = "Saved"; saveButton.disabled = false; saveButton.style.backgroundColor = 'grey'; // Enable the "Move to Next State" button after saving const nextStateButton = document.querySelector('.nextStateButton'); nextStateButton.disabled = false; nextStateButton.style.backgroundColor = '';  })

Step 3 - Validate and Pack the Widget

• Follow the steps given in the Widget help page to validate and package the widget.
• Go to Zoho CRM > Setup > Developer Hub > Widgets and click Create New Widget.
• Fill in the required details as shown in this image and ensure to select Blueprint as the widget type.
  
  Creating a Blueprint Widget

Step 4 - Associate the Widget with the Blueprint

• Navigate to Setup > Process Management > Blueprint and open the Deals Blueprint created for this use case.
• Click on the Collect Requirements transition.
  
  Associate Widget to a Blueprint Transition
• In the During tab on the left pane, select Widgets and associate the newly created widget.
• Publish the Blueprint to activate the changes.

Try it Out! 

A complete working code sample of this widget is attached at the bottom of this post for reference. 

 

Now, let us see how this Blueprint works from the Deals page:  

1. All required document details are available: The widget validates the Contact’s subform and allows the transition.  
   
   
   
   
2. Missing or incomplete document details: The widget prompts the user to enter the missing details, updates the Contact’s subform, and then enables the transition.  
   
   
   
   

This approach ensures that required subform data from another module is validated and captured before proceeding with a Blueprint transition.  

Would you like us to address any of your pain-points or have a topic to discuss? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us via support@zohocrm.com.

Until next time, Happy Coding! 

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Additional Reading

1. Blueprint - An Overview, Designing a Blueprint, FAQs
2. Custom Fields - Working with Custom Fields, Building Subform
3. Connections - An Overview, Invoke APIs via Connections
4. Widget - An Overview, CLI Installation, Working with Widgets, JS SDKs, Mobile Compatibility of Widgets, Kaizens
5. Entity APIs - GET Records, Update Records, Upload Files
6. Query API - An Overview, Records through COQL Query, JOINs in COQL, Subquery, Limitations

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Previous Post: Kaizen #180 - Automating Data Transfer from Zoho Sheets to Zoho CRM Subforms | Kaizen Collection: Directory

More enhancements in the COQL API are now live in Zoho CRM API Version 7. Check out the V7 Changelog for detailed information on these updates.

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