Managing Picklists and Enabling History Tracking via Zoho CRM APIs

Managing Picklists and Enabling History Tracking via Zoho CRM APIs

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to another post in our Kaizen series. 

In this post, we will look at how you can manage picklist fields in Zoho CRM using APIs. This topic was raised as feedback to Kaizen #200, so we are taking it up here with more details.



In this post, we will cover the following:
  • What is a picklist field in Zoho CRM?
    • Picklist vs Multi-select Picklist
  • Working with picklist fields via APIs
  • History tracking for picklists
    • What is history tracking for picklists in Zoho CRM?
    • Use case
    • Enabling history tracking for a picklist using the Create Custom Fields API

What is a picklist field in Zoho CRM?

A Picklist field is a drop-down field in Zoho CRM that contains a predefined list of values. While creating or updating a record, you can select one value from this list instead of entering it manually. This helps you avoid typing errors.

Example :
A Region field with values East, West, North, and South.
If a lead is from the East, the user simply selects East from the picklist instead of typing it manually. 

Picklist vs Multi-select Picklist
                                                         
                                                            Picklist

                                                   Multi-select Picklist

  Users can select only one value from the list. 

   Users can select multiple values at once. 

  A standard Region picklist works when a record belongs to only one region.

  Example : East

   A Multi-select Region picklist works when a record spans multiple regions.
   Example : East, North

Global picklist / Global set : User can create a picklist in common and associate the created picklist across the modules to maintain accuracy. Refer to Kaizen #161: Global Sets using Zoho CRM APIs for more details.

Working with picklist fields via APIs

Creating a picklist field using the Create Custom Field API

You can create a new Picklist field in a module by calling the Create Custom Field Metadata API. For example, you can create a picklist field named Region with the values: East, West, North, South.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/fields?module=Leads
Request Method : POST


Sample Input
When creating a picklist field, set its data type as picklist and provide the list of options, each with a mandatory display_value. You can also configure additional properties such as actual_value, lexical sorting, and color coding.


{
    "fields": [
        {
            "field_label": "Select Region",
            "data_type": "picklist", // Specify the data type as picklist
            "tooltip": {
                "name": "info_icon",
                "value": "Select your region here"
            },

    "profiles": [
                {
                    "id": "5725767000000026011",
                    "permission_type": "read_write" 
                }
 ],
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "East",  //The unique display value for the picklist, which will be displayed in the CRM UI. Use the display_value in API requests during create, update, and upsert operations.

                    "actual_value": "IN_East" //The unique reference value associated with the particular option.
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "West",
                    "actual_value": "IN_West"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "North",
                    "actual_value": "IN_North"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "South",
                    "actual_value": "IN_South"
                }
            ],
            "pick_list_values_sorted_lexically": true,   //Sorts options alphabetically. Default value is false.
            "enable_colour_code": true    //Allows color coding for picklist options. Default value is false.
        }
    ]
}


Note : To create a multi-select picklist field, set the data_type key to multiselectpicklist in the request body ("data_type": "multiselectpicklist").

Sample Response
{
    "fields": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "details": {
                "id": "5725767000007613005"
            },
            "message": "field created",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]
}

Updating a picklist field using the Update Custom Field API

The PATCH - Field Metadata API lets you modify an existing Picklist field. Use the Get Fields Metadata API to get your picklist field ID. 

You can:
Here is a sample request that updates the Select Region dropdown field in the Leads module.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/fields/5725767000007613005?module=Leads
Request Method : PATCH

Adding a new option to the existing picklist field 

Sample Input 

{
    "fields": [
        {
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "Central", //adding a new option to the existing picklist field
                    "actual_value": "IN_Central"
                }
            ],
        }
    ]
}

Updating picklist 

{
    "fields": [
        {
            "profiles": [
                {
                    "id": "5725767000000026011",
                    "permission_type": "read_only" //updating the permission_type
                }
            ],
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "South Region", //updating the display field's value
                    "id": "5725767000007613010" //unique ID of the option 
                }
            ],
            "enable_colour_code": false //disabling color code for the options
        }
    ]
}

Note : Use the actual_value or unique ID of a picklist option to update its display value. Use the Get Fields Metadata API or Get Layouts Metadata API to get the details.

Removing existing options using Update Custom Layout API

To remove picklist values, keep only the required options in your input. Any options not included in the request will automatically move to the unused section.
First, fetch the required layout, section, field, and option IDs using the Get Layouts Metadata API. Then, in your request body, specify only the picklist values you want to retain.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/layouts/5725767000000091055?module=Leads
Request Method : PATCH

Sample Input 
{
    "layouts": [
        {
            "id": "5725767000000091055", //layout id
            "sections": [
                {
                    "id": "5725767000000209001", //section id
                    "fields": [
                        {
                            "id": "5725767000007613005", //field id
                            "pick_list_values": [
                                {
                                    "display_value": "Central",
                                    "id": "5725767000007626001"
                                },
                                {
                                    "display_value": "East",
                                    "id": "5725767000007613004"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}


Here, Central and East regions remain as active picklist options, and West, North, and South regions are moved to the unused section.

Updated response
Use the Get Fields Metadata API to check the updated response. The Central and East are still active options (type: used), and North, South, and West are inactive options (type: unused)
{
    "fields": [
        .
        .
        .
        {
            "field_label": "Select Region",
            "id": "5725767000007613005",
            "api_name": "Select_Region",
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "-None-",
                    "sequence_number": 1,
                    "reference_value": "-None-",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "-None-",
                    "id": "5725767000007613013",
                    "type": "used"   //default option
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Central",
                    "sequence_number": 6,
                    "reference_value": "Central",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_Central",
                    "id": "5725767000007626001",
                    "type": "used"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "East",
                    "sequence_number": 2,
                    "reference_value": "East",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_East",
                    "id": "5725767000007613004",
                    "type": "used"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "North",
                    "sequence_number": 4,
                    "reference_value": "North",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_North",
                    "id": "5725767000007613008",
                    "type": "unused"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "South",
                    "sequence_number": 5,
                    "reference_value": "South",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_South",
                    "id": "5725767000007613010",
                    "type": "unused"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "West",
                    "sequence_number": 3,
                    "reference_value": "West",
                    "colour_code": null,
                    "actual_value": "IN_West",
                    "id": "5725767000007613006",
                    "type": "unused"
                }
            ],
            "data_type": "picklist"
        }
    ]
}



Assigning picklist values using the Insert Records API

When you insert a record, you can directly pass the picklist option’s display value (not the ID) in the request body.

Request URL : {api-domain}/crm/v8/{module_api_name}
Request Method : POST

Sample Input 
{
    "data": [
        {
            "Company": "Zylker",
            "Last_Name": "David",
            "Select_Region": "Central"   // Picklist value to assign
        }
    ]
}

Note: 
  • When creating, updating, or upserting records, 
    • You can either pass an existing picklist value or add a new one, through the API. Please note that the new value will only be stored in that record, and will not be added to the picklist field’s metadata.
    • In the UI, you can only select from the available dropdown options.
    • Always use the display_value of the picklist option, not the picklist option’s ID.
    • You can also assign the default option (-None-). In this case, the picklist field’s value will be stored as null ("Select_Region": null)
Sample Response

{
    "data": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "details": {
                "Modified_Time": "2025-08-23T04:51:39-07:00",
                "Modified_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                },
                "Created_Time": "2025-08-23T04:51:39-07:00",
                "id": "5725767000007623017",
                "Created_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                }
            },
            "message": "record added",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]

}



Updating picklist values in existing records using the Update Records API

When updating, you also use the picklist display value in the field.

Request URL : {api-domain}/crm/v8/Leads/5725767000007628002
Request Method : PUT

Sample Input 

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Select_Region": "West" // New picklist value
        }
    ]
}

This will replace the existing picklist value with West.


History tracking for picklists

What is history tracking for picklists in Zoho CRM?

You can enable history tracking for a picklist field using the Create Custom Field API. Once enabled, Zoho CRM automatically creates a related list for the tracked picklist and a separate module.
Every time the picklist value changes, Zoho CRM creates a new entry in this related list. Each entry shows the old value, the new value, who made the change, and when it was made, and how long the record stayed in the previous value before moving to the next one.

Use case

Zylker's sales team tracks lead progress through the statuses such as New, Contacted, Qualified, and Converted. The team wants to know how long a lead remains in each status and identify if follow-ups are delayed or leads are not progressing. 
You can achieve this by enabling history tracking on the Status picklist. You can also monitor every status change, who made it, and how long the lead stayed in the previous status. This helps the team monitor, identify delays, and improve the follow-up process.

The log stores:
  • New Value - updated region in the Moved_To__s key.
  • Changed By - user who made the update  in the Modified_By key.
  • Changed On - date and time when the region was changed  in the Last_Activity_Time key.
  • Duration  - how long the record stayed in the previous value before the change  in the Duration_Time and Duration_Days keys.

Enabling history tracking for a picklist using the Create Custom Fields API

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/fields?module=Leads
Request Method : POST

Sample Input
{
    "fields": [
        {
            "field_label": "Status",
            "data_type": "picklist",
            "pick_list_values": [
                {
                    "display_value": "New",
                    "actual_value": "New"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Contacted",
                    "actual_value": "Contacted"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Qualified",
                    "actual_value": "Qualified"
                },
                {
                    "display_value": "Converted",
                    "actual_value": "Converted"
                }
            ], 
            "history_tracking_enabled": true, //(mandatory) Enables history tracking for the picklist
            "history_tracking": {
                "related_list_name": "Status History", //Lets you give a custom name to the history related list that CRM creates.
                "duration_configuration": "time", //Decides how to track the timing of changes: days - History is tracked by days and time - History is tracked by time. 
 
              Note : Before specifying the time value, enable the duration customization feature in your organization by contacting support@zohocrm.com.

                "followed_fields": [  // The followed_fields lets you retrieve additional field values whenever the picklist value changes.
                    {
                        "api_name": "Owner"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ]
}

Sample Response in UI 


Sample Response via API
Whenever a picklist option changes, the system creates a new record in the related list module. In this example, Status History is the related list module. The sample response below shows how a particular change looks when retrieved using the Get Records API.

Request URL : {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/Status_History/5725767000007739323
Request Method : GET

Sample Response

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Status": "Contacted",
            "$approval": {
                "delegate": false,
                "takeover": false,
                "approve": false,
                "reject": false,
                "resubmit": false
            },
            "Modified_Time": "2025-08-28T06:35:15-07:00",
            "$currency_symbol": "$",
            "$field_states": null,
            "$review_process": null,
            "$editable": true,
            "Duration_Time": "6568847", //The system stores the duration in milliseconds.
            "$sharing_permission": "full_access",
            "Lead_Owner": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "Moved_To__s": "Qualified",
            "$orchestration": false,
            "Last_Activity_Time": "2025-08-28T08:24:44-07:00",
            "Full_Name": {
                "name": "Zylker",
                "id": "5725767000007735001"
            },
            "Modified_By": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001",
                "email": "patricia@zoho.com"
            },
            "$review": null,
            "$process_flow": false,
            "$in_merge": false,
            "id": "5725767000007739350",
            "$approval_state": "approved",
            "$pathfinder": false,
            "$zia_visions": null
        }
    ]
}



Note :
  • You can select up to 10 fields in total, with a maximum of 5 user fields for all modules except Deals.
  • Encrypted fields cannot be specified.
  • In the Deals module,
    • History tracking is enabled by default for the Stage picklist field.
    • You cannot enable history tracking for any other picklist field in the Deals module.
    • You can only update the existing Stage picklist field using the Update Custom Field API.
    • You can add up to 6 followed fields, with a maximum of 5 user fields.



We hope this post helps you confidently manage picklists and track their history in Zoho CRM. Try it out, and let us know your experience in the comment section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com 

Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts!
Cheers!






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