Leverage layout rules to customize workflow

Leverage layout rules to customize workflow

Layout rules in Zoho Sprints primarily aim to customize the field layout of your creation forms to meet complex requirements. But it doesn't stop there. Its customization can push the boundaries of how your fields behave, how data is gathered, how processes are branched out, and how workflow is channeled.

Based on conditions, you can tailor field behavior, direct the life cycle of an item, mandate specific actions, restrict the field options, or auto-assign users. The possibilities are aplenty.

We've tried to provide a few sample scenarios that help you automate your data collection and progress tracking flow. If you have any specific requirements, please state them in the comments, and we'll find out if layout rules can help you.

Use case 1: Restricting item statuses based on work item types

With layout rules, each item type can have its own workflow. This means it can have its own unique set of statuses that align with its specific lifecycle.

Let's assume you have three item types: Bug, Story, and Task.
Each type follows its own lifecycle, represented by the following statuses.
  • Bug goes through the To Do, In Progress, Bug Fixing, Bug Testing, and Done statuses.
  • Story has To Do, Ideation, In Progress, Development, Review, and Done.
  • And Task moves through a simple To Do, In Progress, and Done.
To align with these flows, certain statuses should not be available to specific item types. For instance, a story or a task should not be moved to the Bug Fixing status. Similarly, a bug or a task should not be moved to the Development status.

To enforce this, we can create layout rules that control which statuses are available based on the item type.

So, we'll create three conditions with each item type as the primary field.
  • If the item type is Bug, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to To Do, In Progress, Bug Fixing, Bug Testing, and Done.
  • If the item type is Story, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to To Do, Ideation, In Progress, Development, Review, and Done.
  • If the item type is Task, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to To Do, In Progress, and Done.
Together, these conditions control the status progression for each item type. So, when you create a bug, it will only progress into the statuses that belong to the Bug lifecycle.


Use Case 2: Restricting future statuses based on the item's current status

When your team requires a pre-defined strict workflow where an item can be moved from a specific status to only a few statuses, layout rules can help implement this. For example, an item in the Bug Fixing status should only move to Bug Testing, and no other status. This way, each status controls the next status in the workflow.

To ensure this, create layout rules specifying conditions for each of the item status:
  • If the status is To do, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to In progress and Rejected.
  • If the status is In progress, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to In progress and Development.
  • If the status is Development, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to Review Level 1.
  • If the status is Review Level 1, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to Reopen and Review Level 2.
  • If the status is Reopen, specify the condition with the trigger action to restrict the status pick list to In progress.

Use case 3: Making a field mandatory based on item status or item type

Let's assume you want a field to be made mandatory only when the item is moved to one particular status. Which implies the field will remain non-mandatory during other statuses and will be mandatory only at that particular status. So, the progress to that status must be allowed only when the mandatory field is updated.

For instance, when an item is moved to the Done status, the Approver field must become mandatory to record completion approval. To ensure that this process is executed, you can create a layout rule where the primary field is the Status Name. If the status field is updated to Done, specify the condition with the trigger action to set the Approver field as mandatory.



Use case 4: Showing or hiding a section or field based on item types

Layout rules enable you to show or hide fields or sections based on item type conditions.

Let's say a section with fields related to a new feature should only be visible when the item type is New Feature.

Similarly, when the item type is Security Issue, the section with fields related to Security issue must be visible.

To achieve this, create a layout rule with Item Type as the primary field.
  • Create a condition for the New Feature item type with a trigger action to show the New Feature Details section.
  • Create a condition for the Security Issue item type with a trigger action to show the Security Issue Details section.

Use case 5: Selecting specific assignees for item types and priorities

Layout rules can help you assign users based on the item type and priority. Let's say your team has a group of developers with varied levels of experience and expertise. You want to assign the high priority items to a more experienced member like John, while assigning low priority items to a novice like Peter.

If the item type is Bug and the priority level is Critical, you can assign the bug to John. If the priority level is High, it goes to Peter.

To meet this requirement, you can create a layout rule with Item Type as the primary field.
  • Create a condition for the item type Bug with a subcondition where the priority level is Critical and the trigger action has the Set Field Value Assignee as John.
  • For the same condition, add a subcondition where the priority level is High and the trigger action has the Set Field Value Assignee as Peter.
Similarly, say you want the Task item type with a medium priority level to go to Helen, and a low priority level should go to James.
  • Create a condition for the item type Task with a subcondition where the priority level is Medium and the trigger action has the Set Field Value Assignee as Helen.
  • For the same condition, add a subcondition where the priority level is Low and the trigger action has the Set Field Value Assignee as James.


These are just a few examples of how layout rules can streamline your project management. Do you have any particular scenario that needs resolution? Please share it with us.

Thanks,
Zoho Sprints Team

    • Sticky Posts

    • Tip #48: An exclusive system for risk management

      Zoho Sprints' risk management feature gives teams a structured, industry-grade system for identifying, quantifying, and mitigating risks to eliminate probable impact. Project or product teams that run on Zoho Sprints might be using sprints, work items,

    • Comprehensive guide to add users

      We've received quite a few questions regarding adding users to the Zoho Sprints workspace. So we decided to address it through a comprehensive post covering the locations (modules or tabs) from which you can add your users. Adding users to your workspace

    • Leverage layout rules to customize workflow

      Layout rules in Zoho Sprints primarily aim to customize the field layout of your creation forms to meet complex requirements. But it doesn't stop there. Its customization can push the boundaries of how your fields behave, how data is gathered, how processes

    • Tip #40 - Control entity and field permissions using profiles

      Building profiles using permission sets equips you with the ability to permit and restrict data access to members belonging to those profiles. Creating different profiles with different combinations of permission sets allows you to set a hierarchical

    • Recent Topics

    • Stop Zoho Projects From Automatically Adding Client Users

      I have a custom function that creates a Zoho Project for every Quote attached to a Deal when it moves to Closed Won. Everything works fine, except for the fact that connecting a Zoho Project to the CRM automatically takes the Contact associated with the

    • Global "Search" in FSM

      I'm missing the global Search function like in CRM. This should save us a lot of time. We don't now upfront if the customer is a Contact or a Company. So now we have to guess in what module to start a search/filter. Also looking up an address, phone number,

    • Canvas not working

      I have a canvas running. I selected it as the default for all options, but mainly want it for Portals. It isn't working. I selected Assign Canvas in both the Dtailed View and in the module itself. Nothing has happened. Any help?

    • LinkedIn RSC is now live in Zoho Recruit

      LinkedIn Recruiter System Connect (RSC) is here. Your Zoho Recruit data (candidates, jobs, notes, stage updates, resume attachments, and more) now syncs with LinkedIn in real time. Note: LinkedIn RSC is included with your LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate

    • Add the Zoom Option to the Camera

      Hi, I use the ZOHO Forms Camera so I can manage metadata, compression, etc. but this doesnt have the zoom parameter activated, so when we have photos in a tight space and want to use 0.5 for example, we can't, can this be enabled please. Thanks Dan

    • The Social Wall: July 2026

      Hello everyone! We're halfway through the year, and we bring to you three new updates designed to help you experiment with your content, discover your top-performing posts, and automate your engagement workflow. Instagram Trial Reels Instagram trial reels

    • What's New in Zoho Invoice | April – June 2026

      Hello everyone! We're back with the latest updates and enhancements we've rolled out in Zoho Invoice from April to June 2026. Here's what's new this quarter: Connect Zoho Invoice to AI Using Zoho MCP Customize Accessibility Preferences Attach Annexure

    • Help with SEO

      Hi There, I have recently published a site and added some Keywords in the SEO settings. Searching Google I currently don't find my site though. When do these settings take effect? In the SEO settings there is also a section "Sitemap" I can change settings for "frequency" and "Priority" What do these settings do? Kind regards

    • Transform your line of items into line items: ICR can now record your table values as subform values

      Enhancement in Zoho CRM Dear Customers, We hope you're well! Zia Vision’s ICR capability can now recognize, extract, and store tabulated values in your subforms. An ideal example is a university application form. It has printed fields and handwritten

    • All new Address Field in Zoho CRM: maintain structured and accurate address inputs

      Availability Update: 29 September 2025: It's currently available for all new sign-ups and for existing Zoho CRM orgs which are in the Professional edition exclusively for IN DC users. 2 March 2026: Available to users in all DCs except US and EU DC. 24

    • Data Export is forcing Creation/Modified date just like reports

      The data export now forces you to select a created or modified date. There is not an All-Time option. This severely cripples the whole function of data export for audit purposes. If the data export (or reports for that matter), requires a date, there

    • HR Helpdesk Cases

      We have Zoho One Enterprise. I'm trying to find HR Helpdesk Cases, but my UI does not match the documentation. I'm not sure how to move forward.

    • Zoho Books Placeholder: Inventory Counts

      I was hoping to figure out how to find the placeholders for inventory counts by item. We use Location based inventory tracking, so I dont know if that affects things. I want my PDF and Printed PICK LISTS to show the Quantity Available to Pick. I have

    • Undocumented Books API error message - 1000 - The requested action could not be completed. Please try again. | Unexpected error

      This code sometimes throws this error 1000 - The requested action could not be completed. Please try again. | Unexpected error What does it mean? result = zoho.books.updateRecord("salesorders",organization.get("organization_id"),salesorder_id,sales_

    • Reporting Tags and COGS

      Is there any way to get COGS recorded against reporting tags? The use cases seems very straightforward to me. If I'm running a P/L report against a specific reporting tag (I use mine for customer type, but it could be used for regions, etc.), the revenue

    • Please critique my CRM design

      I run a disability healthcare business with 2 business units. We run on Zoho One and are re-designing our CRM. We have developed the design concept ourselves, and I am hoping to get some critical feedback: 1) Noting that this is an early design of the

    • CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users

      Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage

    • Error in Batch Details Stock Reportt

      I am a new user of zoho inventory. When extracting batch details stock report as of dec 2025, the report takes into account transactions that happen this year. Thus causing discrepancies when comparing with Stock Report. Is this a global error? Can zoho

    • Invoice template, how to change the text under "Notes" and "Terms and Conditions"

      In "Invoice templates", there are two text/info sections at the bottom:"Notes" and "Terms and Conditions". It is possible to change the names of these two headings, but how is it possible to change/alter the text under it. As a standard it says "Thank you for your business" under Notes - I need to change it into something different- How? Thank you.

    • Zoho Commerce B2B

      Hello, I have signed up for a Zoho Commerce B2B product demo but it's not clear to me how the B2B experience would look for my customers, in a couple of ways. 1) Some of my customers are on terms and some pay upfront with credit card. How do I hide/show

    • Need complete Zoho Commerce theme ZIP example and safe staging workflow

      I want to build a complete custom Zoho Commerce storefront through Edit Code, including: • Global header and footer • Responsive homepage • Category, search and filter pages • Product cards and product-detail pages • Cart and checkout wrapper • Mobile

    • Conflict with Google Sheets

      While I was working on a google sheet in Firefox, I suddenly started getting an error dialog in Google sheets: "Loading issue. Troubleshoot this issue by clearing application resources". It then says to clear cookes etc. etc. which didn't help. Disabling

    • 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

    • Add Large Lists to Choice-Based Field Rules

      Hi, The new Large List is good, but you can't then use the Choice-Based Field Rules with it to limit the Group Choices or Choices? Thanks Dan

    • Auto-fill from logged-in user's profile for Name Fields in Subforms

      Hi, The Name field is great, but I see you can't tick the Initial Value option of "Auto-fill from logged-in user's profile" when it is on a Subform, why not? Thanks Dan

    • [Free webinar] Creator Tech Connect – Creator product updates (Part 1), August 2026

      Hello everyone, We are excited to invite you to another edition of the Creator Tech Connect webinar. About Creator Tech Connect The Creator Tech Connect series is a free monthly webinar comprised of pure technical sessions, where we dive deep into the

    • Is there a way to show contact emails in the Account?

      I know I can see the emails I have sent and received on a Contact detail view, but I want to be able to see all the emails that have been sent and received between all an Accounts Contacts on the Account Detail view. That way when I see the Account detail

    • Mail Id’s backup

      Dear Zoho Team, Kindly share the backup of my all mail id’s associated with Zoho account. Thanks, Saurabh Sharma +91 8851066915

    • Recurring Events Not Appearing in "My Events" and therefore not syncing with Google Apps

      We use the Google Sync functionality for our events, and it appears to have been working fine except: I've created a set of recurring events that I noticed were missing from my Google Apps calendar. Upon further research, it appears this is occurring

    • Stock Based Sort-by option in Category Pages

      In a category page product with In-Stock should come in the top of the categories product list rather than out-of-stock products. No having this option is extremely disappointing, I made the initial request about 7 months ago but still not even an update

    • Stock based sort-by option

      I have more than 300 products in a category with out of stock items count of 150. The out of stock items are coming on top of the category product page list, is there a way to show the in-stock items on top of the list & move the out -of stock items in

    • Out of Stock items showing in Commerce

      I have over 6000 items and most are not in stock, but all items are showing up in Commerce whether they are inventory or not. What option or feature can you use to hide items in Commerce at zero or negative quantities? I currently am using Commerce for

    • Creating Email template that attaches file uploaded in specific field.

      If there's a way to do this using Zoho CRM's built-in features, then this has eluded me! I'm looking to create a workflow that automatically sends an email upon execution, and that email includes an attachment uploaded in a specific field. Email templates

    • What's New in Zoho Billing | July 2026

      July brings a new set of updates to Zoho Billing to make your billing operations more efficient. These include a redesigned checkout experience, expanded Hosted Payment Page capabilities, compliance improvements, enhanced reporting, and more. Enhancements

    • 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,

    • Zoho CRM - Email/Message icon for Deal List View

      Hi Team, My idea is to include a message icon at the start of the row of Deals when an unread message has been received. This would really help highlight the Deals where urgent action is required. Thanks for considering this request. Regards, Ashley

    • Email notification for followers

      Is there a way to enable email notification for followers of a support ticket? ie: Ticket #123 is owned by Agent#1, Agent#2 adds themselves as a follower. Whenever ticket #123 receives an email from the customer, Agent#1 receives an email. Agent#2 would

    • 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

    • Desk Contact Name > split to First and Last name

      I am new to Zoho and while setting up the Desk and Help Center, I saw that new tickets created or submitted from the Help Center used the Contact Name field. This would create a new Contact but put the person's name in the Last Name field only. The First

    • Vendor payment unexpectedly routed through Prepaid Expenses instead of Accounts Payable

      Hello, We are investigating an unexpected accounting behavior in Zoho Books. We created vendor bills and vendor payments for two suppliers using what appears to be the same workflow, but the journal entries are different. Vendor 1 – UZ Store (works correctly)

    • Next Page