Kaizen #183 - COQL API's Enhancements in Zoho CRM API Version 7

Kaizen #183 - COQL API's Enhancements in Zoho CRM API Version 7

Hello everybody!

Welcome back to another post in our Kaizen series.
In this post, we will discuss the latest COQL API enhancements introduced in Zoho CRM Version 7.



COQL API

Query API lets you query for records based on queries using the CRM Object Query Language(COQL). COQL is based on the SQL query syntax, and supports the SELECT query to fetch records. Using this API, you can query for data across different modules that are linked using lookup fields. 

1. Enhanced Field Limits in the SELECT Clause

You can now retrieve up to 500 fields in a single query. Previously, the limit was 50. This allows you to fetch more data in a single request, reducing the number of API calls and improving performance.

Sample query:
{
  "select_query": "select Last_Name, Email, Phone, Industry, Revenue, ... (500 fields) from Leads where id is not null"
}

2. Enhanced Value Limits for IN and NOT IN Operators

The IN and NOT IN operators now support up to 100 values each, doubling the previous limit of 50. This enhancement allows for more comprehensive filtering in your queries. Users can now include a larger set of criteria in a single query, making it easier to retrieve your data without needing multiple queries.

Sample query for IN:
{
  "select_query": "select Account_Name from Accounts where Industry in ('IT', 'Finance', 'Healthcare', ... (100 values))"
}

Sample query for NOT IN:
{
  "select_query": "select Account_Name from Accounts where Industry not in ('IT', 'Finance', 'Healthcare', ... (100 values))"
}

3. Custom View support in COQL API

No more manual filtering! Simply use a custom view ID directly in the FROM clause. Retrieve custom view IDs using the Custom View API and include them in your queries to retrieve specific-custom view data.


Unsupported Custom Views
  • Custom View in Other Modules : The following custom views are not supported in any module.
    • Shared By Me
    • Co-owner
    • Shared To Me
In the Custom View API response for a module (e.g., Leads), search for the key "system_name". If the value matches any of the unsupported custom views (Shared By Me, Co-owner, Shared To Me), that view is not supported.

Example : Shared By Me

Key and Value Structure
 "system_name": "{module_name}SHAREDBYME" 
Example
"system_name": "LEADSSHAREDBYME"


COQL supports CVID in the following format: FROM {module_API_name}#{CVID}. 
See the sample query below for reference.

Sample query:
{
    "select_query": "select Lead_Status from Leads#5725767000000087501 WHERE id is not null"
}
//CVID: 5725767000000087501 - This is the Custom View ID in the Leads module.


4. Retrieve Corresponding Field Metadata via COQL

Need to retrieve field details? You can fetch both the required data and field metadata in a single query. Just add "include_meta" key to your query to retrieve field metadata. This key fetches metadata for the fields specified only in the SELECT column. Also, it eliminates making an additional GET - Fields Metadata API call to know the field metadata and save API credits.

Sample query:
{
    "select_query": "select Lead_Status, Phone from Leads where id is not null",
    "include_meta": [
        "fields"
    ]
}

Ensure you have the ZohoCRM.settings.fields.READ scope to avoid an OAUTH_SCOPE_MISMATCH error.

Sample Response:

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Lead_Status": "Attempted to Contact",
            "Phone": "555-555-5555",
            "id": "5725767000000420480"
        },
        {
            "Lead_Status": "Contact in Future",
            "Phone": "555-555-5555",
            "id": "5725767000000420481"
        },
        .
        .
        .
        
    ],
    "fields": {
        "Lead_Status": {
            "webhook": true,
            "operation_type": {
                "web_update": true,
                "api_create": true,
                "web_create": true,
                "api_update": true
            },
            "colour_code_enabled_by_system": false,
            "field_label": "Lead Status",
            "tooltip": null,
            "type": "used",
            "table_name": "CrmLeadDetails",
            "field_read_only": false,
            "required": false,
            "display_label": "Lead Status",
            "read_only": false,
            "association_details": null,
            "multi_module_lookup": {},
            "id": "5725767000000002611",
            "created_time": null,
            "filterable": true,
            "visible": true,
            "refer_from_field": null
             "auto_number": {}
        }
    },
    "info": {
        "count": 200,
        "more_records": true
    }
}


5. Field Limit Restriction in the ORDER BY Clause

The fields limit has been restricted in the ORDER BY clause. You can specify up to 10 fields in the ORDER BY clause for more precise sorting. Previously, there was no limit. This restriction helps improve query performance.

sample query:
{
    "select_query" : "select Last_Name from Leads where id is not null order by Lead_Source, Lead_Status, Email, ... (up to 10 fields)"
}

6. Duplicate fields restriction 

Duplicate fields are restricted in ORDER BY, GROUP BY, and AGGREGATE clauses. That is, if the same field is specified multiple times within the same clause, leading to unnecessary repetition and potential errors. This ensures cleaner and more accurate query results. Previously, this restriction applied only to the SELECT column. 

Bad query:
{
"select_query":"select id from Contacts where id is not null order by id,id"
}

Duplicate aggregate fields in a query will result in a "DUPLICATE_DATA" error in the response.

7. Retrieve territory information

You can now retrieve territory information from a module by including the territory field API name in the SELECT column. This is useful to understand where your data has been distributed in various geographical locations.

Sample query 1 :
{
  "select_query": "select Account_Name, Territories from Accounts where id is not null"
}

Sample query 2 :
{
 "select_query" : "select Territories, Account_Name.Territories from Contacts where id is not null" 
}

Sample response:

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Account_Name.Territories": [
                {
                    "name": "USA",
                    "id": "5725767000000454003"
                }
            ],
            "id": "5725767000000420261",
            "Territories": [
                {
                    "name": "China",
                    "id": "5725767000000454981"
                }
            ]
        },
        .
        .
        .
       
    ],
    "info": {
        "count": 174,
        "more_records": false
    }
}


Supported modules to retrieve territory details: Contacts, Accounts, Leads, and Deals.

Note: 
The territory field API names differ by module:
  • Accounts, Contacts, and Leads : Territories
  • Deals : Territory

8. "Full_Name" retrieval based on user preferences 

The full name can be retrieved based on the current user's display name pattern, as set in their preferences. This ensures that the full name format aligns with the user's settings.
The "Full_Name" field contains the concatenated values of the First_Name and Last_Name fields. This is a read-only field available only in the Leads and Contacts modules.

Sample query:
{
    "select_query": "select Full_Name from Contacts where id is not null"
}

9. Support for Multiple Modules in "what_id"

A Multi-Module Lookup (MML) field is a special type of lookup field that allows you to establish a relationship between a record in one module and records from multiple other modules. Unlike a standard lookup field that references a single module, an MML field can point to multiple module types.

Currently, an MML field is available in the Appointments module. The Appointment_For field is an MML field that can reference multiple modules, such as Leads and Contacts.

Sample query:
{
 "select_query": "select 'What_Id->Leads.Company','What_Id->Accounts.Account_Type' from Calls where id is not null"
}

9.1 Support to query Multi-module Lookup (MML)'s inner field

You can now retrieve inner fields of linked modules within the MML field. This provides deeper insights into related fields data in a module. 

For example, you can now query specific fields from a related module that is linked through a Multi-Module Lookup, making your data retrieval more precise and informative. 
{
 "select_query": "select 'Appointment_For->Contacts.Lead_Source' from Appointments__s where id is not null"
}
This query retrieves the Lead Source field from the Contacts module within the Appointment_For MML field. 

9.2 Support for Querying Multi-Module Lookup Module Name

Retrieve the module name associated with each record in a Multi-Module Lookup (MML) field. This helps in identifying the source module of the linked records, providing a better context for your data.

Sample query:
{
"select_query": "select Appointment_For.module.api_name, Appointment_For from Appointments__s where id is not null"
}
The Appointment_For.module.api_name returns the module name (e.g., Contacts or Accounts) for each record linked in the Appointment_For MML field.

10. Retrieving Consent-Related Information

You can now retrieve consent-related information using the Consents Lookup fields in a module. This is particularly useful for GDPR compliance, ensuring you have consent records.
For more details, refer to the Consent Management documentation. This is particularly useful for GDPR compliance, ensuring you have all necessary consent information.

Note:
  • Once GDPR is enabled and configured for a module, a new Data Processing Basis Details field will be created in the respective module with the data type consent_lookup ("data_type": "consent_lookup").
  • You can retrieve the Data Processing Basis Details field created in the module using the GET Fields Metadata API. 
  • To know all available fields in the Consents module, make another GET Fields Metadata API call.
Sample query:
{
"select_query": "select Data_Processing_Basis_Details.Contact_Through_Survey, Data_Processing_Basis_Details.Data_Processing_Basis from Leads where Data_Processing_Basis_Details is not null"
}

11. Enhanced Lookup Field Response 

Previously, when a lookup field was included in the SELECT column JOIN, only the lookup field’s ID was displayed. From V7, the corresponding display field value is also provided. Now, when you specify a lookup field in the SELECT column, the response includes the id of the Lookup record ID and the display field value of the lookup record. 

This eliminates the need for an additional SELECT column JOIN to fetch the display value (e.g., Owner.last_name).

Sample query:
{
"select_query" : "select Owner from Accounts where id is not null"
}


Sample response
                                               V6
                                      V7      
{
    "data": [
        {
            "Owner": {
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "id": "5725767000000420169"
        },



        {
            "Owner": {
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "id": "5725767000000420170"
        },
        .
        .
        .
    ],
    "info": {
        "count": 23,
        "more_records": false
    }
}
{
    "data": [
        {
            "Owner": {
                "name": "Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "id": "5725767000000420169"
        },


        {
            "Owner": {
                "name": "Kate",
                "id": "5725767000000411482"
            },
            "id": "5725767000000420170"
        },
        .
        .
        .
    ],
    "info": {
        "count": 23,
        "more_records": false
    }
}


Note:
  • If you query the Users lookup field in the SELECT column, the corresponding record’s last name (display field) will be displayed in the name key of the corresponding lookup JSON (e.g. Owner) response, from V7. 
  • Display field value will not be available for Consent Lookup and Multi-Module Lookup (MML) fields.

12. Increasing "Profile Image" field comparators

The Profile Image field now supports additional comparators.

                                                                         V6
                                    V7
      is null, is not null
 is null, is not null, =, !=, in, not in, like, not like

You can use a record image's ID to fetch related data. For example, if you only have a record image's ID and want to retrieve the respective record's last name, you can include the record image ID in your query. 
Refer to the COQL document for more details.

Sample query:
{
 "select_query" : "select Record_Image from Leads where Record_Image = 'siwz79472749456ff433f8b88d0a795ae9855' " 
}

13. Enhanced "Rollup Summary" field comparators

The Rollup Summary field now supports additional comparators, making it easier to filter and analyze your data with more precision.
                                                                                              V6                                                     V7
   is null, is not null
 =, !=, >=, >, <=, <, between, not between, in, not in, is null, is not null

Sample query:
{
 "select_query" : "select Last_Name from Leads where Total_Calls between 5 and 10"
}

13.1 Enhanced response for the Date and Datetime return types of the Rollup Summary 

The Date and Datetime return types in the Rollup Summary field are now provided in ISO date and ISO datetime formats based on the user's time zone.

Sample query:
{
"select_query": "select Last_Note_Added from Leads where id is not null"
}

Response
                                                 V6                                       V7
{
    "data": [
        
        {
            "Last_Note_Added": "1721302770000",
            "id": "5725767000003160016"
        },
        .
        .
        .
        
    ],
    "info": {
        "count": 200,
        "more_records": true
    }
}   

{    
"data": [
        
        {
             "Last_Note_Added": "2024-07-04T03:49:48-07:00",
            "id": "5725767000003160016"
        },
        .
        .
        .
        
    ],
    "info": {
        "count": 200,
        "more_records": true
    }
}    

14. Enhanced LIMIT and OFFSET Value Limit

You can now retrieve up to 100,000 records using pagination with the LIMIT and OFFSET clauses. This significantly increases the amount of data you can handle in a single query, making it easier to work with large datasets. Previously, the maximum limit was 10,000. For the next set of records, add another criteria id > {1,00,000th record ID} with the "AND" operator, and go on to fetch the next 1,00,000 records.

Sample query:
{
"select_query" : "select Last_Name, Created_Time from Leads where (Last_Name is not null and id > 5725767000003160016)"
}


15. Enhanced JOIN Support Limit

Base Column JOIN
If a query contains any lookup_field.{any_field} in any clause other than the SELECT column such as ORDER BY, GROUP BY, or AGGREGATE columns, then it will be treated as Base JOIN. The Base JOIN support limit has been increased from two to five. This enhancement enables more complex queries across multiple modules, improving data retrieval flexibility.

Sample query: 
{
 "select_query" : "select id from Contacts where id is not null order by Owner.role, Created_By.profile"
}

Refer to the Base JOIN section in the COQL API document for more details. 

15.1 Introducing the SELECT Column JOIN

A new SELECT column JOIN has been introduced, with a maximum limit of 15.

Advantages of SELECT Column JOIN
  • If a lookup field is included in the SELECT column and another lookup field is used in the Base column JOIN, they will be treated as separate JOINs. This ensures that the SELECT column JOIN does not affect the Base JOIN.
  • Previously, when two lookup fields in the SELECT pointed to the same module (e.g., Users), they were treated as separate JOINs. From V7, they are now considered a single JOIN, optimizing query performance and reducing redundancy.

Sample query:
{
"select_query" : "select Owner.last_name, Created_By.role from Contacts where id is not null"
}

Refer to the JOINs in COQL Queries for more details on both the JOINs.

16. Subquery in COQL

A subquery support has been given in COQL. A subquery is a child query that is nested or embedded within a parent query i.e., outer query. Subqueries can be used as an alternative to JOINs in a query. Use subqueries when a JOIN field is only needed in the criteria, i.e., in the WHERE clause. The primary reason for using subqueries is to improve performance by saving time and memory.  

Sample query:
{
"select_query" : "select Lead_Source,Email from Leads where Contacts in (select id from Contacts where Email='patricia@mail.com')"
}
You can retrieve up to 100 records per subquery in a single query. A maximum of 5 subqueries can be queried in a parent query. 
Refer to the Subquery documentation for more details. A detailed post on Subquery will be covered in an upcoming Kaizen post.


We trust that this post meets your needs and is helpful. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com.

Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts! 






    • Recent Topics

    • The Grid is here!

      Hey Zoho Forms Community! 👋 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a feature that’s been on your wishlist for a while: Grids What is Grids? Grids let you place form fields side by side in multiple columns to create a more concise and organized form

    • Steuerberater der Zoho benutzt in Deutschland

      I write in English because the issue is related to German regulations. Wir sind ein Unternehmen, welches aktuell keine Pflicht zur doppelten Buchführung hat. Aktuell bucht unser Steuerberater jeden Beleg, auch unsere Auslagen. Wir würden dies gerne selbst

    • GraphQL in new Send Webhooks feature

      Hello, is it possible to use GraphQL apis in the new Send Webhooks feature?

    • # 2 Why do we need a billing system when accounting covers billing?

      In today's evolving financial tech stack, businesses use a mix of tools to manage their day-to-day operations, from invoicing to full-fledged accounting. While accounting platforms typically come with built-in invoicing features, specialized billing systems

    • How to insert an Excel/Zoho Sheet table in a chat?

      Hello, is there a way to paste an excel/zoho sheet table to a conversation without loosing table lines. I tried to paste a piece of a table and all the columns and rows were gone. How to easily paste a table without a need of sending a file? Katarzy

    • Mass Update Application Status

      How to update application statuses of Multiple Applications at once? Is that possible? If not then why please consider adding it It can save hours of manual work Thats the only Option I see

    • Free webinar: Streamlining customer service paperwork with the Zoho Sign extension for Zoho Desk

      Hi there! Wondering how to bridge the gap between digitized customer service and business paperwork? Attend our free webinar to learn how you can do this by connecting Zoho Sign, our digital signature app, with Zoho Desk, our online customer service help

    • Mail Search Not Working

      Hello, Mail search is not working at all. I've tried Chrome and Mozilla. I can try and search for an exact term, or even an email that is 1st in my email list. All search does is sit and spin, or it comes up with no results. I've also tried it on my android

    • Cannot Send Email to a Gmail Account

      Hello, I have a zoho-hosted email account, alex@chirochannelnetwork.com that has trouble sending to gmail accounts.  But not all gmail accounts, only some of them. I've tried to figure this out with clients, and they don't appear to be going into their

    • Unblock ME

      info@pentekykloi.gr Unable to send message;Reason:554 5.1.8 Email Outgoing Blocked. Learn more. I purchase additional storage

    • Cannot Print Landscape with Zoho Sheet

      I am noticing that when using the Zoho Sheet desktop for Mac, that even when selecting landscape as the print option, once you choose "Print", a second system dialog opens that automatically makes the view portrait again, and does not allow printing in

    • Power of Automation : Enhancing custom date field calculations by excluding Weekends and Holidays

      Hello Everyone, A Custom function is a user-written set of code to achieve a specific requirement. Set the required conditions needed as when to trigger using the Workflow rules (be it Tasks / Project) and associate the custom function to it. Requirement:

    • Stock count by bin location

      Is there a configuration to make a stock count by bin or area and not by product. these is useful to manage count by area Regards

    • Temporary Outage in Zoho Cliq Affecting US Users – July 23, 2025

      We experienced a service disruption in Zoho Cliq that impacted core functionality for users in the US region. The issue occurred between Jul 23, 2025, 06:54:00 PM IST and 07:13:13 PM IST, lasting approximately 19 minutes. To restore service stability,

    • portal.assignUserInProfile - Não esta adicionando

      Estou encontrando problema com este comando portal.assignUserInProfile Não esta incluindo o usuário no portal Alguém pode me dizer o que pode ser thisapp.portal.assignUserInProfile("teste@gmail.com","Customer");

    • CRM emails vs Campaigns

      Please help me understand this. I am having a difficult understanding of "Campaigns" sent through CRM (real emails) or Zoho One (blast "potentially junk" emails) This is what I currently think emails sent via CRM are "real" emails sent through linked real personal email accounts and therefore are more likely to get delivered.  We use this for critical updates for our "Approved " accounts and certain other preferred statuses emails via Campaigns are sent through the Zoho server (like MailChimp, Campaign

    • Setting up property management in Zoho Books

      Hi, I run a property management business that manages property complexes. There are multiple owners, some owning more than one property on the same complex. My role is to manage the fees they pay for maintenance of common areas, such as the swimming pool

    • Reverse proxy

      We have a web application in the creator platform. When I launch a particular DNS, I would like that DNS to redirect to the web page of the application in creator app. Has anyone achieved it and if yes, please share how to do it.

    • Still client need to download .exe?

      Hello, the client for use zoho assist need everytime download .exe file and launch it?

    • Splitting a ticket's entire thread

      Hi, When you split a ticket it only splits the individual reply that you clicked "Split as new ticket" on. Is it not possible to split the entire ticket thread from that point into the new ticket (every reply from the split point forward)? Or is there

    • Editing the text on the Help Center home page

      Is it possible to edit the "Welcome to Help Center" message anywhere? This one: We'd like to be able to tailor it a little more ourselves.

    • WHMCS for Zoho Flow

      Can we use WHMCS for Zoho flow?

    • Online meetings through Calendar Booking form with options

      This is great to see and particularly for those users who don't have Zoho BOOKINGS. The shame of it all though is that it could have been better. Why do we have to set up separate booking forms for each type of meeting and for each online conferencing

    • Agents permission per department

      Hi Team, can I setup permission for each agent what they can do in each department, for example I want account department agents to only have view access to support department tickets and not allowed to assign or reply to clients. I am sure this would

    • CRM notes

      I want to be able to add notes to a task that do not necessarily get rolled up into an account or contact.   For example, I tasks to work on a Court Order for John Doe divorce account.  There might be lots of updates (in the form of notes) that employees

    • Introducing parent-child ticketing in Zoho Desk [Early access]

      Hello Zoho Desk users! We have introduced the parent-child ticketing system to help customer service teams ensure efficient resolution of issues involving multiple, related tickets. You can now combine repetitive and interconnected tickets into parent-child

    • Function #8: Add additional charges to invoices

      Here goes one of the highly sought-after custom functions in Zoho Books. If you find yourself needing to apply additional charges to customers on their invoices (say credit card surcharges, or fuel charges applicable to customers from a certain region,

    • Alternative / optional Position

      How do you create an alternative position or an optional position (article) in offers?

    • جمود في الصفحة عند حفظ عمل

      عندما اقوم باضافة ايقونة الى صفحة النموذج تجمد الصفحة ولا تعمل وتصبح مثل المظلة احدث الصفحة لا تعمل انتظر قليلا لا تعمل اقوم بنسخ رابط الصفحة والصقه في الرابط فيعمل

    • ZOHO Books Canadian payroll Integration

      Hello, I know ZOHO books doesn't have Canadian payroll and I dont believe its coming anytime soon. My question is there a Canadian payroll software that could be integrated with Zoho Books? Thank you HD

    • Zoho Desk Time Tracking and the Salary Privacy Issue

      Hello colleagues, Just wondering if anyone did hit the same wall? In the Desk, when the agent-specific hourly rates are enabled (Zoho Desk → Setup → Time Tracking → Billing Preferences), these Time Entries are being displayed in the Ticket History tab.

    • How to Delete, Disable, or Remove Streams from the Mail App?

      Is there a way to remove Streams from the mail app sidebar? I get too many notifications, it doesn't add any value to Zoho's functionality (especially since you can just make comments inside an email), and is distracting. I do not want notifications/alerts

    • Delay in MX updates

      Hi, I set MX Records 12 hours ago, and I am receiving email normally, but I still get notification MX record is not pointing correctly. Error: The MX records of your domain is not yet pointed to Zoho Mail. Why there is a delay in detecting MX records,

    • Bigin iOS and macOS app update: Link email messages to pipeline records.

      Hello everyone! In the latest version of the Bigin iOS(v1.11.9) and macOS(1.8.9) app, we have brought in support for an option to link email to pipeline records. This helps you to view emails specific to a deal, especially when a contact is associated

    • make.com integration

      Just wondering if anyone on Zoho One account connecting apps to Make.com We're on Canadian server (.com) and when connecting to Make.com, it keeps having error of Invalid Client ID. I have contacted both Zoho and Make and both sides said it's not an error

    • Article Numbers for KB articles

      Hello, I was wondering if it's possible to turn on article numbers/ part numbering for KB articles. If this is not already a feature, we'd like to request it. Frequently a solution will require multiple articles so tracking which articles are referenced

    • Refund Request ,Zoho Mail Subscription (zoho suport is not replying)

      Hi Zoho Team, I recently subscribed to the Zoho Mail yearly plan, but after evaluating it, I found that the interface does not suit my workflow. I’ve already canceled the subscription from my end. As I’m well within your 30-day refund window, I’m requesting

    • File Encryption - Zoho Desk iOS app update

      Hello, Everyone! We have now introduced the 'File Encryption' option within the Zoho Desk app as part of the HIPAA Compliance. This option allows the user to encrypt the attachments within the Desk mobile app, which acts as an additional layer of security.

    • Data encryption - Zoho Desk iOS

      Hello, Everyone! In the recent iOS version(v2.8.23) of the Zoho Desk app, we have supported data encryption. As a part of HIPAA Compliance, the Zoho Desk mobile app now allow users to encrypt the Desk mobile database as an additional layer of security.

    • Notify Admin when a user forgets to check-in or check-out at the designated time.

      Hello, I would like notify the Admin via email when a user forgets to check-in or check-out at the designated time. What is the best way to setup this email notification?

    • Next Page