Extension Pointers - JS SDK Series #8: Use the SearchRecord API in a widget to simplify business operations
Looking up relevant business information is easier when you have an internal search feature that targets certain keywords or phrases. Often times, this information will be worked with and manipulated to be useful for the current task the searcher is doing, which means that a faster internal search process will lead to better productivity.
The SearchRecord API is used to retrieve records that match your search criteria. It performs a module-level search based on either a phone number, email address, word, or other piece of criteria. It's most helpful to search for text in the fields of data type "string", "phone", or "Email".
In this post, we will look at an example that involves searching for and updating records using the searchRecord and updateRecord APIs. We'll first give the syntax followed by an example scenario.
SearchRecord API
Syntax
ZOHO.CRM.API.searchRecord(config, page, per_page) |
Here, config refers to the configuration object of the 'object' type, page refers to the page number, and per_page refers to the number of records to be generated per page.
Configuration Object
Name | Type | Description |
Entity | String | SysRefName (of the module) |
Type | String | Allowed values "email|phone|word|criteria" |
Query | String | Query string |
delay | Boolean | Query string |
UpdateRecord API
Syntax
ZOHO.CRM.API.updateRecord(config) |
Here, config refers to the configuration object of the 'object' type.
Configuration Object
Name | Type | Description |
Entity | String | SysRefName (of the module) |
Trigger | list | The trigger input can be "workflow", "approval", or "blueprint". If the trigger is not mentioned, the workflows, approvals, and blueprints related to the API will get executed. Enter the trigger value as [] to not execute the workflows. |
API data | String | The data to be updated is constructed as updateRecord's API Data parameter. |
Let's take a simple scenario where a Zoho CRM user is handling a customer case. They would like to check if a similar problem has already been addressed in another case and if they can use any of those solutions for their own case. In our example, we will see:
- How the SearchRecord API can help the user find solutions using keywords related to the current case
- How the Search API returns the description and the solution of cases based on the keywords we enter
- How the user can update the correct solution to the current case if the relevant solution is found
SearchAPI.js code snippet
Util={}; var EntityIds; var EntityName; var inputtext; var solutiontext; var solutiondescription; //Subscribe to the EmbeddedApp onPageLoad event before initializing the widget ZOHO.embeddedApp.on("PageLoad",function(data) { EntityIds=data.EntityId; EntityName=data.Entity; //Search for solutions using input search words Util.search=function() { inputtext=document.getElementById("inputword").value; //Searches across the cases module for the input text entered ZOHO.CRM.API.searchRecord({Entity:"Cases",Type:"word",Query:inputtext}) .then(function(data){ console.log(data); rec=data.data; $('#solutionlist').empty(); //Looping through the solutions for (i = 0; i < rec.length; i++) { /*populating the solution list list with the solutions and description of all the cases associated with the input text provided*/ solutionsid=rec[i].id; solutionname=rec[i].Solution; solutiondescription=rec[i].Description; solutionsname=rec[i].Description+"-"+rec[i].Solution; /* Add the description-solution to the list only if the description or solution field is not null for the cases searched based on the input text */ if(solutionname!=null && solutiondescription!=null) { var solutionlist = document.getElementById("solutionlist"); var option = document.createElement("OPTION"); option.innerHTML = solutionsname; option.value = solutionsid; solutionlist.appendChild(option); } } }) } //Updates the solution to the solution field of the current case and changes the case status to closed Util.update=function() { solutiontext=document.getElementById("solutiontext").value; var config={ Entity:"Cases", APIData:{ "id": EntityIds[0], "Solution":solutiontext, "Status":"Closed" }, Trigger:[] } ZOHO.CRM.API.updateRecord(config) .then(function(data){ console.log(data) }) } // Closes the widget popup Util.cancel=function() { ZOHO.CRM.UI.Popup.close() .then(function(data){ console.log(data) }) } }) |
In the above code snippet, the input text keyed in is retrieved and passed as the Query parameter to the searchRecord API. The type parameter is passed as 'word', and the Entity parameter as 'Cases'. This searches across the Cases module for the input text and returns all the cases with the word present.
From the retrieved cases, the descriptions and solutions are fetched and populated into a select list. The user can have a look at the solutions and choose one if it resolves the current case issue.
The chosen solution is populated in the 'Enter solution here' textbox. The user can choose to edit the solution further according to their needs in the textbox and then click the 'Update Solution and close Case' button.
The updateRecord API will then update the solution entered to the solution field of the current case, and will change the status of the case to "Closed".
Sample Widget:
The user handles a case about a hardware issue. In the widget, they enter the word 'hardware' in the input field because it is a relevant word associated with the current case.
When the user clicks the 'Check for solutions' button, the searchRecord API returns all the descriptions and solutions involving 'hardware'. The user chooses a solution if it is relevant and makes further edits relevant to their case in the solution textbox. The 'Update Solution and close Case' button will update the solution to the solution field of the current case and close the ticket.
This was just an example, but there are many similar ways you can use the SearchRecord API to suit your specific business needs.
We hope you found this information useful. Keep following this space for more info!
SEE ALSO
Access your files securely from anywhere
New to Zoho Recruit?
Zoho Developer Community
New to Zoho LandingPage?
Zoho LandingPage Resources
New to Zoho Survey?
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho CRM Plus?
Deliver unforgettable customer experiences
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Zoho Marketing Plus?
Everything you need to run your marketing
New to Bigin?
Topic Participants
Nanditha Somasundaram Somasundaram
Sticky Posts
Kaizen #217 - Actions APIs : Tasks
Welcome to another week of Kaizen! In last week's post we discussed Email Notifications APIs which act as the link between your Workflow automations and you. We have discussed how Zylker Cloud Services uses Email Notifications API in their custom dashboard.Kaizen #216 - Actions APIs : Email Notifications
Welcome to another week of Kaizen! For the last three weeks, we have been discussing Zylker's workflows. We successfully updated a dormant workflow, built a new one from the ground up and more. But our work is not finished—these automated processes areKaizen #152 - Client Script Support for the new Canvas Record Forms
Hello everyone! Have you ever wanted to trigger actions on click of a canvas button, icon, or text mandatory forms in Create/Edit and Clone Pages? Have you ever wanted to control how elements behave on the new Canvas Record Forms? This can be achievedKaizen #142: How to Navigate to Another Page in Zoho CRM using Client Script
Hello everyone! Welcome back to another exciting Kaizen post. In this post, let us see how you can you navigate to different Pages using Client Script. In this Kaizen post, Need to Navigate to different Pages Client Script ZDKs related to navigation A.Kaizen #210 - Answering your Questions | Event Management System using ZDK CLI
Hello Everyone, Welcome back to yet another post in the Kaizen Series! As you already may know, for the Kaizen #200 milestone, we asked for your feedback and many of you suggested topics for us to discuss. We have been writing on these topics over the
New to Zoho TeamInbox?
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
Design. Discuss. Deliver.
Zoho Show Resources
Get Started. Write Away!
Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.
Zoho CRM コンテンツ
-
オンラインヘルプ
-
Webセミナー
-
機能活用動画
-
よくある質問
-
Ebook
-
-
Zoho Campaigns
- Zoho サービスのWebセミナー
その他のサービス コンテンツ
Nederlandse Hulpbronnen
ご検討中の方
Recent Topics
UI Improvement - Ability to Collapse Flow
The UI for Flow is generally pretty good. However, when multiple decision trees are used, the layout can get pretty convoluted and hard-to-follow (see one of my Flows below): In these cases, even the auto-arrange fails to make this something that a normalTasks Statuses
Hi, The task status "Completed" is a final status which closes the task. We need to have a status "Cancelled". However, when the status is set to "Cancelled", the task prompt still has a blue button to Close Task. When the customer clicks that and closesAdd Lookup Field in Tasks Module
Hello, I have a need to add a Lookup field in addition to the ones that are already there in the Tasks module. I've seen this thread and so understand that the reason lookup fields may not be part of it is that there are already links to the tables (Create New Tasks Layout in CRM
I am able to do this in Leads, Contacts, Meetings, Calls - every other module, but cannot create a new layout in tasks. I have the appropriate access but it's simply not appearing as an option. Only "Standard" option shows. Please help!Whatsapp Connection Status still "Pending" after migration
Hello, I migrated my WhatsApp API to Zoho from another provider a day ago. So far the connection status is still “Pending”. There is a problem? How long does it usually take?Multi file upload
Hi, I just wonder if one could upload multiple files in one shot, say between one and three files, without adding multiple File Upload fields? Thanks, AlalbanyUsing IMAP configuration for shared email inboxes
Our customer service team utilizes shared email boxes to allow multiple people to view and handle incoming customer requests. For example, the customer sends an email to info@xxxx.com and multiple people can view it and handle the request. How can I configureAuto-sync field of lookup value
This feature has been requested many times in the discussion Field of Lookup Announcement and this post aims to track it separately. At the moment the value of a 'field of lookup' is a snapshot but once the parent lookup field is updated the values diverge.Zoho Recruit Subscription
Hello Zoho Recruit Team, Good day! I would like to inquire about your recruitment subscription plans and would also like to verify the current subscription our company is enrolled in under Zoho Recruit. Thank you, and I look forward to your response.Keyboard shortcut M key
I'm trying to customize my keyboard shortcuts and assign the "m" key. But it says the key is already assigned. I've looked through all my shortcuts and can't see any assigned "m". When I select an email and press the M key, nothing happens. What is theIs it possible to create a meeting in Zoho Crm which automatically creates a Google Meet link?
We are using Google's own "Zoho CRM for Google" integration and also Zoho's "Google Apps Sync" tools, but none of them provide us with the ability to create a meeting in Zoho CRM that then adds a Google Meet link into the meeting. Is this something thatEnsure Consistent Service Delivery with Comprehensive Job Sheets
We are elated to announce that one of the most requested features is now live: Job Sheets. They are customizable, reusable forms that serve as a checklist for the services that technicians need to carry out and as a tool for data collection. While onAutomatic Portal invite
We have numerous customers we move through a blueprint in deals, when they get to a certain point we need to give them portal access, how can this be done through deluge or a workflow? Latest Update (December 2025): The option to automate portal invitationsMarketer's Space: Why mobile optimization deserves a place in your email strategy
Hello Marketers, Welcome back to Marketer's Space! Today, we'll talk about the importance of creating mobile-friendly email designs. While mobile phones were once used only to make phone calls, today they're used for almost everything, including texting,Enhancements in Canvas
Dear All, Greetings! Canvas lets you design the record details page to suit your brand or business preferences. We are glad to introduce the following enhancements to uplift your design experience. Reusable Components Style Presets Let's go! ReusableIntroducing Dark Mode / Light Mode : A New Look For Your CRM
Hello Users, We are excited to announce a highly anticipated feature - the launch of Day, Night and Auto Mode implementation in Zoho CRM's NextGen user interface! This feature is designed to provide a visually appealing and comfortable experience forABN with Legal Entity Name
Hi, How can I execute this? The ABN number is entered in Accounts Module and ideally, it should display or suggest the correct Legal Entity Name based on the ABN lookup. ex. Account Name: JPG Resources ABN Number: 65 067 761 871 Legal Entity Name: (autoZoho Cliq not working on airplanes
Hi, My team and I have been having this constant issue of cliq not working when connected to an airplane's wifi. Is there a reason for this? We have tried on different Airlines and it doesn't work on any of them. We need assistance here since we are constantlyPrepopulating Fields
Hello, I have a form (Assets) with 2 lookup fields: Client (from Clients) Site (from Client Sites) I modified the code (highlighted in red below), so the Site dropdown shows the list of sites related to the Client. must have Client_Site ( type = picklistUnify Overlapping Functionalities Across Zoho Products
Hi Zoho One Team, We would like to raise a concern about the current overlap of core functionalities across various Zoho applications. While Zoho offers a rich suite of tools, many applications include similar or identical features—such as shift management,Detailed Account Reports - Add Running Balance
When one clicks into an account from a report (say P/L or Balance Sheet), the default reports have the Debit, Credit, and then the Amount. The Amount column (last one) is duplicate information. It would be far better and fit more peoples' use cases ifStart Workflow from Deluge Script
I have developed a customized process from our CRM that leverages a deluge script to create a statement of work document. Once the document has been created via the merge and store function, I would like the ability to start a workdrive review & approveIssue: Ticket Export Does Not Include Ticket Threads
Dear Zoho Desk Support Team, I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to bring to your attention that the current ticket export feature in Zoho Desk does not seem to include the ticket threads or conversation history. When exporting tickets, only the summaryPushover Notification Module
Hello, it would be good if there would be a "Pushover" (https://pushover.net/) module besides the standard SMS module. Pushover is now very well known, especially in IT, and is becoming more and more popular. The biggest advantage are the customizableForward - no Ticket Number
Hello, when I send an email to Zoho Desk via Reply or Reply All, the ticket number is in the subject line. But if I use forward then not. Is there an option to change this? We often forward e-mails and a reply to this will of course create a new ticketCheckout: Adding Images
Hello everyone, I’m trying to add a small GoGreen logo in the shipping section of the checkout to promote our sustainable shipping. While I can insert text without any issues, it seems that adding images is not supported in this area. Is there currentlySortie de Zoho TABLE ??
Bonjour, Depuis bientôt 2 ans l'application zoho table est sortie en dehors de l'UE ? Depuis un an elle est annoncée en Europe Mais en vrai, c'est pour quand exactement ??[solved] #original_sender trick not working for us
Hello community ! We really like DESK.. it's working like a charm for us but I have a request. Some users are sending emails personnaly to me (instead of using the support adress).. and I saw there was a possibilty to use : #original_sender {mail@mail.com}SalesIQ Chat Notifications
I am the admin of our salesIQ implementation. About two weeks ago, I started hearing/seeing notification for ALL chats messages from monitored agents/chat participants. I don't need to see these, we have a manager who deals with this. I can't stop theCorrelated subqueries not supported in Zoho Analytics. This creates huge limitations
Running into a major limitation in Zoho Analytics: correlated subqueries simply don’t work, even in completely standard SQL patterns inside a JOIN. Example: LEFT JOIN "Bills" b ON d."Id" = b."Deal ID" AND EXISTS ( SELECT 1 FROM "BillUnknown table or alias 'A1'
I would like to create a subquery but i am getting the following error: Unknown table or alias 'A1' used in select query. This is the sql statement: SELECT A1.active_paying_customers, A1.active_trial_customers, A1.new_paying_signup, date(A1.date_active_customers),HubSpot CRM to Zoho Creator Integration
I'm trying to create an integration between HubSpot CRM and Zoho Creator with HubSpot being the push source (if a contact is created or updated in HubSpot, it pushes the information to Zoho Creator). I have two questions: 1- Is it best to use Zoho FlowBatch Emails in CRM Plus without using a template?
Hi guys. Is it possible to send the same email to multiple people at the same time within CRM Plus without using an email template? At the moment we create a custom view in Contacts to display the people that we need. We then click the boxes on the left, and click 'Send Mail', but always need to select a template. Sometimes its better to write a quick one off message, without needing to set up a template first. Thanks.bank charge
a charge to my account was made that I did not authorize, of $16.46, for something that looks like "computer maintenance or something to that matter". please refund.[Free Webinar] Product Updates: Quick Catch-Up Session - Part II - Creator Tech Connect
Hello Everyone! We welcome you all to the upcoming free webinar on the Creator Tech Connect Series. The Creator Tech Connect series is a free monthly webinar featuring deep-dive technical sessions designed for developers, administrators, and app builders.Introducing Liquid Glass UI on the Zoho Mail iOS app
Hello everyone! We're excited to announce that the Zoho Mail app is now fully optimised for iOS 26's Liquid Glass design on both iPhone and iPad! The updated interface features transparent layers, smooth animations, and refined visual elements that enhanceJobs at multiple locations
Hi A lot of times we have same job open at multiple locations. So I would like an option where we can create a job and choose multiple locations. Currently we have to create individual jobs for each location. If we can create one job and mention multipleZoho Creator customer portal users
Hi, I'm in a Zoho One subscription with our company. I'm running a project now that involves creating a Zoho Creater application and using the Zoho Creator Customer Portal. At most we need 25 customer portal users. In our Zoho One plan we only get 3Plan change from Zoho One to Zoho Workplace
Hello Zoho, Following the recent pricing update for Zoho One, we are interested in transitioning to Zoho Workplace products. Please inform us about the necessary steps for this process so we can proceed promptly. Kind regards,Partner with HDFC And Sbi Bank.
Hdfc and sbi both are very popular bank if zoho books become partner with this banks then many of the zoho books users will benefit premium features of partnered banks.Next Page