Building Extensions #15: Creating widgets with the JS SDK bundle in Zoho Desk—Inter-widget communication

Building Extensions #15: Creating widgets with the JS SDK bundle in Zoho Desk—Inter-widget communication

This series aims to equip developers with all they need to build extensions for Zoho Desk in Zoho Sigma and publish them in Zoho Marketplace.

Hello Developers!

In our previous post, we briefed the use of Hooks API and explained it with an example on how to use them in a Desk extension. In this post, we'll learn about the inter-widget communication feature and how it can be used in your extensions with an example.

Inter-widget communication

There are scenarios where an extension could have multiple widgets. In such cases, it is important to have communication between these widgets for the extension to be more user-friendly. The inter-widget communication feature of Zoho Desk helps you create a connection between widgets and facilitate communication between them. When two widgets are communicating, there are a few points to remember during implementation. Let’s consider one widget as the sender and the other as the receiver.

Sender widget
  1. This widget should know the receiving widget's identity.
  2. When it knows that identity, it can send the desired data to the receiving widget.
Receiving widget
  1. This widget needs to be active to receive data from any sender.
  2. It can then process the received data.
You can achieve this with the help of a couple of SDK methods provided by the Zoho developer platform.
  1. App.instance.getWidgets(): The getWidgets() method will return an array of all the widgets available in the extension, including the one from where this call is made.
  2. siblingwidgetId: Every widget associated to the extension will have a unique ID. You can use the code widgets[0].widgetID to get the widget ID of the desired widget from the array of widgets available. The array index for the widget is defined based on the order in which the widgets are listed in the plugin-manifest file of the extension.
  3. var siblingWidget = App.instance.getWidgetInstance(siblingwidgetId): This returns the whole instance of the selected widget.
  4. siblingWidget.emit('event', data): This sends the data from the selected widget on the event occurrence.
Once we pass the data from the first widget (sender), we need to enable the other widget (receiver) to receive the event sent from the first widget. The following code snippet needs to listen to an event emitted by the sibling widget.

App.instance.on('event', function(data){});

Sender Widget
Receiving Widget
Need to know the receiving widget's IdentityNeed to be active to receive the data
Get the instance of the desired widgetReceive data and process it as required
Send the data

Let’s learn about inter-widget communication with an example.

Scenario

Consider a scenario where an agent is provided with detailed information about a particular customer within Zoho Desk itself that is easily accessible. Wouldn’t it be useful for the agents to understand the value of their customer easily? Yes, this can be done using an extension.
  1. Fetch the details of the customer from Zoho CRM.
  2. Showcase the required customer’s information in Zoho Desk.

Platform features

To implement the above scenario, the following Desk platform features are used.
  1. Background widget: This widget runs on its own in the background by default. In our use case, as soon as an agent opens a ticket, the customer's email ID needs to be fetched and the corresponding details are imported from Zoho CRM accordingly. In this case, we can use the background widget feature to fetch the data from Zoho CRM. This can be implemented using the background widget.
  2. Tickets subtab widget: In our example use case, we need the customer’s details to be shown to the agent. Let’s choose the ticket's subtab location to display the same.
  3. Inter-widget communication: Because there are two widgets being used, we can use the inter-widget communication feature for a seamless data flow between the two widgets.

Subtab widget

An agent opens a ticket. Now the background widget gets loaded by default. When the agent moves to the subtab widget to view the customer details, the subtab widget is loaded and we communicate to the background widget about the same. The customer data transferred to the subtab widget will be displayed to the agent.


Background widget

As soon as the background widget gets a communication from the subtab widget, the customer's details are fetched and transmitted back to the subtab widget.





We have attached the entire code of our sample in this post. You can download the same and reuse, if required.

Sample output



Hope you found this post to be useful. Stay tuned for more posts in this space!

See Also



    Access your files securely from anywhere







                            Zoho Developer Community





                                                  Use cases

                                                  Make the most of Zoho Desk with the use cases.

                                                   
                                                    

                                                  eBooks

                                                  Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho Desk.

                                                   
                                                    

                                                  Videos

                                                  Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho Desk.

                                                   
                                                    

                                                  Webinar

                                                  Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho Desk basics, from customization to automation and more

                                                   
                                                    
                                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                  • Meetups


                                                  • Ask the Experts


                                                  • Kbase


                                                  • Resources


                                                  • Glossary


                                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                                  • MVP Corner






                                                            Manage your brands on social media



                                                                  Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                      Zoho CRM Plus Resources

                                                                        Zoho Books Resources


                                                                          Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                                                                            Zoho Projects Resources


                                                                              Zoho Sprints Resources


                                                                                Qntrl Resources


                                                                                  Zoho Creator Resources



                                                                                      Zoho CRM Resources

                                                                                      • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                                        CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                                      • Kaizen

                                                                                        Kaizen

                                                                                      • Functions

                                                                                        Functions

                                                                                      • Meetups

                                                                                        Meetups

                                                                                      • Kbase

                                                                                        Kbase

                                                                                      • Resources

                                                                                        Resources

                                                                                      • Digest

                                                                                        Digest

                                                                                      • CRM Marketplace

                                                                                        CRM Marketplace

                                                                                      • MVP Corner

                                                                                        MVP Corner







                                                                                          Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                          Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                          Get Started Now


                                                                                            Zoho Show Resources


                                                                                              Zoho Writer Writer

                                                                                              Get Started. Write Away!

                                                                                              Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                                                                                                Zoho CRM コンテンツ








                                                                                                  Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


                                                                                                      ご検討中の方




                                                                                                            • Recent Topics

                                                                                                            • 【Zoho CRM】CRM for Everyoneに関するアップデート:関連データ機能

                                                                                                              ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの中野です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、CRM for Everyoneの新機能「関連データ機能」をご紹介します。 関連データ機能は、あるタブのデータを別のタブに柔軟に関連付け、異なるタブで管理されている情報を1か所にまとめて表示できます。 たとえば、組織タブとチームタブのデータを関連付けることで、必要な情報に効率よくアクセスでき、顧客理解を深めながら他チームとの連携もスムーズに行えます。 目次 1. 関連データの設定方法
                                                                                                            • Inventory to Xero Invocie Sync Issues

                                                                                                              Has anyone had an issue with Invoices not syncing to Xero. It seems to be an issue when there is VAT on a shipping cost, but I cannot be 100% as the error is vague: "Unable to export Invoice 'INV-000053' as the account mapped with some items does not
                                                                                                            • How to activate RFQ? What if a price list has ladder price for items?

                                                                                                              Where can I find the option to activate request for quotation? How does it work? If the item has ladder price, does it gets calculated depending on how many items are in the cart?
                                                                                                            • Cannot access KB within Help Center

                                                                                                              Im working with my boss to customize our knowledge base, but for some reason I can see the KB tab, and see the KB categories, but I cannot access the articles within the KB. We have been troubleshooting for weeks, and we have all permissions set up, customers
                                                                                                            • Can't join canal Developers Zoho User

                                                                                                              Hello, I received an invitation to join this channel, but I get an error when I try to join it, and I get the same error when I go to the Zoho Cliq interface > Search for a channel. Is this because I don't have a license linked to this email address?
                                                                                                            • Desk Email reply - set default font / use custom font

                                                                                                              Hello, in our e-mails, which we send to our customers, a certain font must be used (Corporate Design): Segoe UI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segoe#Segoe_UI How can this be included? How can this be set as the default font to ensure that this font is
                                                                                                            • Notes created in mobile can no longer be accessed in desktop

                                                                                                              Working with a 2013 Mac running OS 10.14.6; Desktop Notebook version 4.5.3. Using Motorola Moto G Power 5G - 2024; Android app version 6.7 I have been using Notebook for some years. Starting several weeks ago, the notes newly created ion the phone can
                                                                                                            • PDF Templates - Checkbox Borders

                                                                                                              Is there a way to remove the border of a radio/checkbox on a PDF? I'd like to use the function of checkbox but if there's no easy way to remove the border (the PDF form already has a rectangle so it gets cluttered), then I'm forced to create a single
                                                                                                            • Zoho CRM's custom views are now deployable from sandboxes

                                                                                                              This feature is now available for users in the AU, JP, and CN DCs. New update: This feature is now available for users in CA and SA DCs. Hello everyone, We're excited to announce that you can now deploy custom views from sandboxes to your production environment
                                                                                                            • Generate a link for Zoho Sign we can copy and use in a separate email

                                                                                                              Please consider adding functionality that would all a user to copy a reminder link so that we can include it in a personalized email instead of sending a Zoho reminder. Or, allow us to customize the reminder email. Use Case: We have clients we need to
                                                                                                            • Settings Icon No Longer in ZOHO Desk?

                                                                                                              In ZOHO desk, there has been a gear icon for settings. as of yesterday, it is no longer there. I showed up briefly this morning but is gone again. Anybody else experiecing this?
                                                                                                            • Introducing the all-new email parser!

                                                                                                              Greetings, We are pleased to introduce to you, a brand-new, upgraded version of the Zoho CRM Email Parser, which is packed with fresh features and has been completely redesigned to meet latest customers needs and their business requirements. On that note,
                                                                                                            • Tip #43 - Track, Review, and Analyze Your Assist Sessions with Reports-'Insider Insights'

                                                                                                              Did you know you can generate detailed reports for both remote support sessions and unattended access sessions in Zoho Assist? This makes it easy to monitor technician activity, measure efficiency, and review customer interactions. Let us now take a closer
                                                                                                            • Can we generate APK and IOS app?

                                                                                                              Dears, I want to know the availability to develop the app on zoho and after that .. generate the APK or IOS app  and after that I added them to play store or IOS store.. Is it possible to do this .. I want not to use zoho app or let my customers use it. thanks 
                                                                                                            • Simplified Call Logging

                                                                                                              Our organization would like to start logging calls in our CRM; however, with 13 fields that can't be removed, our team is finding it extremely cumbersome. For our use case, we only need to record that a call happened theirfor would only need the following
                                                                                                            • Sub form doesn't as formula field

                                                                                                              Is it possible to get formula field in sub form in futures?
                                                                                                            • Week date range in pivot table

                                                                                                              Hello, I need to create a report that breakouts the data by week.  I am using the pivot table report, and breaking out the date by week, however the date is displayed as 'Week 1 2014' format.  Is there anyway to get the actual dates in there? ex. 1/6/2014-1/12/2014 Thanks,
                                                                                                            • How do I get Status History data of my Projects?

                                                                                                              I want to build a table in Zoho Analytics that Groups by Date, when Projects entered a certain status. I cannot find Status History or any such useful data available in the Setup of my Data Source sync. Please advise how I can achieve this?
                                                                                                            • Is it possible to hide fields in a Subform?

                                                                                                              Since layout rules cannot be used with Subforms, is there another way, or is it even possible, to hide fields in a subform based on a picklist fields within said subform? For example, if the Service Provided is Internet, then I do not want to see the
                                                                                                            • Single Task Report

                                                                                                              I'd like a report or a way to print to PDF the task detail page. I'd like at least the Task Information section but I'd also like to see the Activity Stream, Status Timeline and Comments. I'd like to export the record and save it as a PDF. I'd like the
                                                                                                            • Weekly Tips :Instantly find what you need with Attachment Viewer

                                                                                                              Your inbox must be packed with project emails, shared notes, and scattered attachments. You are looking for one specific file—a presentation slide or maybe a media clip from a team update—but don’t want to dig through endless email threads or switch between
                                                                                                            • Putting Watermark on Zoho Sheet

                                                                                                              Can this be done?
                                                                                                            • Missing Zoho Desk integration option for form workflows

                                                                                                              According to the help page "Configure Zoho Desk integration in form workflows" we should be able to select Zoho Desk as an integration target but when I open the integrations list then Zoho Desk is not being listed in it. We are on the Premium plan which should already support Zoho Desk integrations.
                                                                                                            • CRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive

                                                                                                              Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage files
                                                                                                            • Gantt for 2 or more projects

                                                                                                              Hello, I'm trying the free version of your produtc. It is veryyy good!!!! I don't know if in the Standard plan, I can overview a Gantt Graph for 2 or more Projects Milestone. This would be very helpfull for managing teams and taking decisions about who I will assign a task to. In the paid plan Do I have this possibility? Thank you.
                                                                                                            • Integrating a Zoho Project Gantt Chart into Reports

                                                                                                              Is is possible to integrate a Zoho Project Gantt Chart into a Zoho Report Dashboard. I am in the process of creating Project Status Dashboards for the projects that we track in Zoho Projects and I would like to incorporate the gantt chart within Reports.  Please let me know! Thanks
                                                                                                            • ZOHO BOOKS - EXCESSIVELY SLOW TODAY

                                                                                                              Dear Zoho Books This is not the first time but it seems to be 3 times per week now that the system is extremely slow. I work on Zoho Books 95% of my day so this is very frustrating. Zoho you need to do something about this. I have had my IT guy check
                                                                                                            • Gantt Chart - Zoho Analytics

                                                                                                              Are there any plans to add Gantt Charts capabilities to Zoho Analytics?
                                                                                                            • Displaying related quotes in sales order and back

                                                                                                              Hi, My colleague liked to see to which sales orders, the quote has been converted. Quote shows Invoices, but not SO. Same, they would like to see the quotes in the sales order, as they can see invoices, packages, shipment, How can we achieve this ? Thank
                                                                                                            • Tip of the Week #71–Auto-move incoming messages to the right inboxes with keywords

                                                                                                              We all know that customer-facing teams, especially your sales and support teams, can’t afford to miss even a single customer conversation. But sometimes, sales queries or support requests can easily get lost in a crowded inbox or even end up in the wrong
                                                                                                            • Clearing Fields using MACROS?

                                                                                                              How would I go about clearing a follow-up field date from my deals? Currently I cannot set the new value as an empty box.
                                                                                                            • Migrating a Zoho Forms form into Zoho Creator

                                                                                                              Hi, How can I migrate my Zoho Forms form into Zoho Creator? Thanks. Truly, Emad
                                                                                                            • Is there any way to recall an email sent using Zoho CRM?

                                                                                                              If an email is sent using Zoho Mail, there is a recall option/functionality that is available to the sender. Is there any way to recall an email if it was sent using Zoho CRM? I can't seem to find that option. Any help would be appreciated.
                                                                                                            • Quick Create needs Client Script support

                                                                                                              As per the title. We need client scripts to apply at a Quick Create level. We enforce logic on the form to ensure data quality, automate field values, etc. However, all this is lost when a user attempts a "Quick Create". It is disappointing because, from
                                                                                                            • is it possible to add more than one Whatsapp Phone Number to be integrated to Zoho CRM?

                                                                                                              so I have successfully added one Whatsapp number like this from this User Interface it seems I can't add a new Whatsapp Number. I need to add a new Whatsapp Number so I can control the lead assignment if a chat sent to Whatsapp Phone Number 1 then assign
                                                                                                            • Problem with reports due to "Connected" items change - Yes this IS a problem

                                                                                                              Now that the change has been made to use "connected" items I can no longer run the reporting I need in CRM. I should be able to start with Deals as the parent, connect down to the Account (Account_Name) on the deal as the child, then to any child items
                                                                                                            • Zoho sheet desktop version

                                                                                                              Hi Zoho team Where can I access desktop version of zoho sheets? It is important as web version is slow and requires one to be online all the time to do even basic work. If it is available, please guide me to the same.
                                                                                                            • Introducing notifications in the vendor portal

                                                                                                              Imagine this: You're a recruiter working with multiple vendors on a high-volume hiring project. You’ve just updated a job description after a last-minute change from the hiring manager. One of your vendors, however, is still working off the older version
                                                                                                            • CRM limit reached: only 2 subforms can be created

                                                                                                              we recently stumbled upon a limit of 2 subforms per module. while we found a workaround on this occasion, only 2 subforms can be quite limiting in an enterprise setting. @Ishwarya SG I've read about imminent increase of other components (e.
                                                                                                            • LESS_THAN_MIN_OCCURANCE - code 2945

                                                                                                              Hi I'm trying to post a customer record to creator API and getting this error message. So cryptic. Can someone please help? Thanks Varun
                                                                                                            • Next Page