Extension Pointers #7: Build third-party integrations by incorporating Custom variables into Widgets
There are currently a number of third-party applications that can be integrated with Zoho CRM to help improve the existing functionality of the product. Amongst this diverse collection, there are certain applications that only support API key forms for user authentication. If the third-party application that you choose to integrate supports API key forms, Custom variables are the best way to integrate with Zoho CRM. Custom variables are of major importance in scenarios where data needs to be globally accessed across an entire extension, as well as during third-party integrations where security-related, user-specific data needs to be passed in order to establish a successful integration.
Just as custom variables help to integrate Zoho CRM with third-party applications, widgets are built-in UI components that help you customize your own UI interface and perform certain functions using third-party data.
In this post, we'll look at how to use custom variables while building widgets, in order to synchronize the third-party data seamlessly into Zoho CRM components in a personalized format.
Consider, for example, a widget that needs to display the services and technologies of the company to which a Zoho CRM lead belongs. These details help to target and serve the leads based on a data-driven approach, and thereby run b2b marketing efficiently. In our example, Clearbit is the third-party application that is used as a source of data enrichment.
Let's go through the steps to achieve the above-mentioned functionality.
Create a Custom Variable to store the API key value
In order to establish a connection with the Clearbit application and retrieve its data, we first need to register with Clearbit and obtain the API Secret Key. Upon successful acquisition of the API Key, we'll create a custom variable to store its value in the extension.
1. Go to the Extension's Detail page in Zoho Developer Console.
2. Choose Custom Properties from the left panel of the Zoho Developer console under Build, then click Create your first CRM variable.
3. Provide the Custom Variable Name and the Clearbit API secret key as the value.
4. Click Save.
The custom variable "API Key" will be created with an auto-generated API name.
Note: clearbitextension__API_Key is the API Name in our example.
Create a widget that fetches the details of a company
- Create a widget called "ClearbitProject" in ZET CLI.
- Add the necessary HTML and CSS files (handle the UI) along with the JS file (business logic) to get the company details of the lead. Refer here to check out the step-by-step guide to create a widget in ZET CLI .
Clearbit.js code snippet
var comp; var json; var jsonObj; var orgVal; function initializeWidget() { // PageLoad listener that returns the entity details of the active page ZOHO.embeddedApp.on("PageLoad",function(data) { console.log("inside function"); id = data.EntityId; console.log("id===="+id); entity = data.Entity; // Get the record details of the entity using the value returned by pageload listener ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({ Entity: entity, RecordID: id }).then(function(data) { // Fetch the company detail from the response obtained through getRecord API var recorddata= data.data[0]; comp=recorddata.Company; // Get the API Key detailsfrom the custom variable ZOHO.CRM.API.getOrgVariable("clearbitextension__API_Key").then(function(data){ org=data.Success; //Store the API key value to a variable based on the format required by Clearbit API orgVal="Bearer "+org.Content; }) setTimeout(function(){ // Construct the params as required by Clearbit API var request ={ headers:{ Authorization : orgVal, } } // Invoke HTTP get to receive the response of the initiated request i.e the Clearbit API call ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.get(request).then(function(data) { jsonObj = JSON.parse(data); console.log(jsonObj); respPrint(jsonObj); }) },500) }) }) // Extract the required information from Clearbit API response and format the data in UI function respPrint(jsonObj){ jsonObj.tags.map(function(value,index){ var sub_list = document.createElement('div'); sub_list.classList.add('sub-list'); sub_list.innerText = value; document.getElementById('list_tags').appendChild(sub_list); }); jsonObj.techCategories.map(function(value,index){ var sub_list = document.createElement('div'); sub_list.classList.add('sub-list'); sub_list.innerText = value; document.getElementById('list_technologies').appendChild(sub_list); }); } ZOHO.embeddedApp.init(); } |
Multiple Zoho CRM APIs are a part of the above-mentioned Clearbit Javascript code snippet. Collectively, these APIs help to implement the business logic of retrieving the company details of the selected lead. Let's take a look at these APIs.
ZOHO.embeddedApp.on("PageLoad",function(data)) - An event listener that is triggered whenever an entity Page (Details Page) is loaded.
ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord(config) - API that gets all details of a record when providing the entity and record ID information.
ZOHO.CRM.API.getOrgVariable()- API that returns the data with respect to the custom variable passed to it.
ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.get(request) - The API invokes HTTP GET and returns a response based on the request object passed to it as a parameter. The request object is constructed as a combination of request params and request headers of the respective API.
- In our example, PageLoad listener is used to fetch the entity and ID of the record in an active page. Upon passing the retrieved entity and ID to the getRecordAPI, the complete record information is gathered, from which we fetch the company name of the selected lead.
- The retrieved company's name is passed to the URL call as the domain, along with the headers required by Clearbit API. This is bundled together and constructed as the request parameter for the HTTP GET API.
- The HTTP GET API is invoked, and it returns the response (enriched company details) based on the request parameter.
- Finally, the required data is extracted from the response and displayed in the widget UI, as per your requirement.
After adding all the necessary files, validate and pack the project.
Associate the widget with a connected app and host it
After successfully building the widget, we can now associate it with a connected app in the extension.
1. Choose Connected Apps from the left panel of the Zoho Developer console, under Utilities.
2. Provide the necessary details for the Connected App. Upload the ClearbitProject.zip file from the dist folder and click Save.
Embed the widget as a related list in Zoho CRM
Now that the widget is associated with a connected app, let's embed it inside Zoho CRM. In our example, we'll embed the widget as a related list called Company Enriched Data in the Leadsmodule.
1. Choose Components from the left panel of the Zoho Developer console, under Build.
2. Choose the Related Details tab and select Add Widgets.
3. Provide the necessary details, choose the "Leads" module, and click Save.
4. Test the widget's functionality locally in an isolated sandbox environment using Test your Extension option.
Note: It's important to keep the localhost running in ZET CLI using the zet run command.
In the sandbox environment:
1. Click the Leads module and choose a lead. Here, we have chosen the lead "TestCustomer New" belonging to the company "Microsoft".
2. Select the related list Company Enriched Data that includes our ClearbitProject widget.
The resulting data of the ClearbitProject widget, namely the services, tags, and technologies offered by Microsoft, to which our lead "TestCustomer New" belongs, will be populated and displayed .
Note: As part of the development process of the extension, we have set the value of the custom variable "API Key" with the API secret key obtained. After development, when planning to publish and share the extension either publicly or privately, it's important to make sure that the value is set empty to ensure that users provide their own secret API key while installing the extension.Refer here to learn more about handling custom variables.
With these steps, custom variables can be incorporated into widgets to perform third-party integrations. You can alter and enhance the widget's functionality as per your requirement. Keep following this space for more info!
SEE ALSO
Access your files securely from anywhere
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
Client Script | Update - Introducing Commands in Client Script!
Have you ever wished you could trigger Client Script from contexts other than just the supported pages and events? Have you ever wanted to leverage the advantage of Client Script at your finger tip? Discover the power of Client Script - Commands! CommandsKaizen #165 : How to call Zoho CRM APIs using Client Script
Welcome back to another exciting Client Script post! In this post, we will discuss one of the most frequently asked questions: How do you call Zoho CRM APIs from Client Scripts? In this kaizen post, 1. Ways to make calls to Zoho CRM APIs using ClientKaizen#162 : Add Tags and Open Pre-filled Email Drafts via Client Scripts
Hello everyone! Welcome to another informative Kaizen post. In this post, let us see how to accomplish the following using Client Script. 1. How to auto-tag a record based on field update? 2. How to Open a pre-filled email draft This post will provideExtension Pointers - JS SDK series #4: Managing data from a widget using ZOHO.CRM.HTTP
Handling and managing the data between two applications is a major factor for an efficient business. There are a variety of ways to handle data between Zoho CRM and other third-party applications. You can use deluge CRM tasks, create connectors, use APIKaizen #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 achieved
New to Zoho TeamInbox?
Zoho TeamInbox Resources
Zoho DataPrep Resources
Zoho CRM Plus Resources
Zoho Books Resources
Zoho Subscriptions Resources
Zoho Projects Resources
Zoho Sprints Resources
Qntrl Resources
Zoho Creator Resources
Zoho Campaigns 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
Top Menu Disappeared from Blog Page
Hi, Our top menu disappeared at Blog Posts page. However, it's still visible any other page on the website. I attached two screenshots, so it can be understood clearly. How can we bring back top menu? Thanks, K.Managing Prepaid Hours for Consulting
We are a consulting firm that bills clients a flat upfront annual fee plus an hourly rate and offer a discount for pre-paying a block of hours. Hours that surpass the pre-paid block are billed monthly at the normal rate. If there are any pre-paid hours remaining at the end of the project they are banked for future use. I'm not seeing a method of doing this in Projects/Books/CRM... thoughts?ZOHO Widget SDK not loading in html
I have this code below, I have imported the widgetsdk however I get the error shown in the image, I have tried many different ways of importing and initiating the function ZOHO but nothing is working. can someone explain what I'm doing wrong, if I amEnhancements to Zoho Corp Help Center "Team Requests" View
Dear Zoho Team, I hope this message finds you well. The ability to view both my tickets and my team’s tickets in the Zoho Corp Help Center is a fantastic feature, especially as the focal point for Zoho in our organization. However, we’ve encountered aAllow Multiple Scheduled Appointments with Zoho Support
Dear Zoho Team, I hope you're doing well. First, thank you for introducing the option to schedule support calls via the Zoho CRM booking link. This has been a fantastic enhancement, eliminating the need for back-and-forth coordination when schedulingProjectwise budget ---
Can we have a Project wise subject in addition to the Monthly, and quarterly ACCOUNT LEVEL budget?WorkDrive API Documentation
WorkDrive provides users and developers an extensive set of APIs to help integrate functionalities of Zoho WorkDrive with other Zoho applications and third-party tools. We have published the official WorkDrive API Documentation page for all external users.Error 403: Forbidden When Updating Email Signature via API
Hi Zoho Desk team, First, congratulations again on the excellent Zoho API. But, I’m encountering an issue while attempting to update an email signature via the API. Whenever I make a request to update the signature, the response returns an HTTP 403 ForbiddenWho can see draft replies on tickets?
We have noticed that we are able to see draft replies made by other agents. Which settings can limit this visibility? It makes sense to me that admins and the agent who created the draft would be able to see the draft, but no one else. How can we makeSerious question: Are there actually "solo-preneurs"/small business owners who made Zoho-one work well for them?
L.S. After already many years of continued struggle with Zoho-One, I am seriously wondering if there are actually solo-preneurs (one person small business owners - without a large, dedicated IT dept.) who got it (Zoho-One) to work well for their businesses.Major iOS issues when accessing forms via the browser
Hi, We have been using forms for some time, while the office staff are accessing the forms via the app on Android mobiles, we have a fleet of sub contractors that we would not like them having access to the main app as some of the forms are confidentialAll notes disappeared
I've been using the notebook app for over five years on my phone without being logged into an account. A few days ago I opened the app and all my notes had disappeared. Since then I tried restarting my phone, updating the app and logging into my account,How to Iterate a Function in Zoho Desk Workflow with Delay Between Calls?
Hi everyone, I’m working on a function in Zoho Desk that searches for a specific ticket record. If the ticket is not found, I need to retry the search multiple times with a delay between each attempt until the ticket is located or a maximum number ofHow to Iterate a Function in Zoho Desk Workflow with Delay Between Calls?
Hi everyone, I’m working on a function in Zoho Desk that searches for a specific ticket record. If the ticket is not found, I need to retry the search multiple times with a delay between each attempt until the ticket is located or a maximum number ofWork Orders / Bundle Requests
Zoho Inventory needs a work order / bundle request system. This record would be analogous to a purchase order in the purchasing workflow or a sales order in the sales cycle. It would be non-journaling, but it would reserve the appropriate inventory ofZoho Books API Limit Is RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The 2,500 API call limit in Zoho Books is about as useful as AOL dialup. Seriously Zoho, not only can I use up 2,500 API calls in no time with my own app but YOUR OWN STUPID IPAD APP blows through them super fast too, so if any one of my clients wantsQR codes in templates
I'm excited about the new QR code generator. I have included a QR code that contains the record ID setting "${ID}" as input data. In the report detail it works perfectly but when printing it in a template the code is not shown.Button Display Conditions
Hi Guys, Is it at all possible to have extra button conditions? Context: We have data in our deals module which has a custom button which converts the deal into contacts + set up relationships between them. At the end of the conversion we set a fieldKnowledge base: The nitty-gritty of SEO tags
A well-optimized knowledge base with great SEO can benefit your company by allowing customers to find help articles and support resources using search engines. This enables customers to quickly and efficiently find the information they need without directSocial Media Simplified with Zoho Social: Make the best out of the publishing calendar
Are you a marketer who likes visualizing your plan of action before you start social media posting? Are you part of a team that works on social media on a rotational basis, so the most important task is to collaborate to avoid overlap and confusion? OrCustom function daily limit and procedural programming
Dearest Zoho Today, support confirmed that if I call a custom function from another custom function then I will use up two, with regards to my daily limit. A few times, we have blown our daily limit and that means that ordinary business processes don't run for the rest of the day. I have to mop these up the following day and there is no guarantee that I will get it right. Therefore, I can't afford to waste any. Procedural programming has been around for over 50 years now and it greatly simplifiesUnified customer portal login
As I'm a Zoho One subscriber I can provide my customers with portal access to many of the Zoho apps. However, the customer must have a separate login for each app, which may be difficult for them to manage and frustrating as all they understand is thatWelcome Link Expired
Hi The links sent to the users didn't get clicked on in time and now all the links have expired. Is there a way to send a new link without deleting them and re-adding them>New enhancements: Changing portal users' email addresses and new customization options for templates
Dear All, Portals have enabled organizations to extend access to various CRM modules to their customers, vendors, partners, and end users, per their business requirements. When a portal is created, an invitation email is sent to portal users with a linkGranular Time Frame Settings for Message Deletion and Editing in Zoho Cliq
Dear Zoho Team, I hope you're doing well. Currently, the settings for message deletion and editing in Zoho Cliq are configured globally under: Admin Panel > Organisation > Configurations > Conversations Delete messages: Time frame to allow message deletionNew Built In QR/Barcode Generator Print Settings
I'm trying out the new QR/Barcode generator field in Creator. I would think most people will want to print these, like I do. I am not seeing any way to control the height or width of the barcode for printing (inside the print/pdf template builder). TheZoho One. Client Script
Hi, I would like to know if the Client Script feature is available in Zoho One. If it's, how can I enable it?Calendar View for Zoho Tickets
Is there a way to view your tickets with due dates on a calendar view? I can not find a way to merge my Zoho Calendar and Tickets. This would be extremely helpful to my team.Delete / Modify Default Career Site - Zoho Recruit
Hello, It would be very useful if we could delete a default career site or change which of our career site is the default. Our Career site was created when there were issues with Zoho Recruit creating English CTA buttons on French Career sites. The onlyWorkflows for Timesheet
Good day, Any way to have timesheet as triggers? I looked into Zoho Flow and into Zoho Project automation but no where can I have timesheet as a trigger. Basically, I would like to trigger something upon timesheet approval. Right now, the only way toIs it possible to hide Developer Space for all user in Zoho Projects
Hello! I am Zoho admin in a company and we want to use Zoho Project to manage projects, but after a few days of testing we are not able to "hide" the Developer Space from all kind of users except the admin. To sum up, I want to hide this for all users.Introducing automation and utility conversations in WhatsApp marketing
We’re excited to announce the addition of two new features to our WhatsApp integration: Automation and Utility conversations. These enhancements will allow you to streamline your marketing efforts and engage with your customers more effectively by automatingExtracting data from cells in zoho sheets for zoho books
I am currently uploading my bank statment in excel format to zoho workdrive. I would like flow to extract certain data and send it to zoho books. Would scripting in zoho flow be able to help me with this? By this I mean should I attempt this in zoho flowWithin the Basic KPI component in Analytics, it is impossible to set "next" day range as a filter
Hi there, I am currently setting up a deal dashboard for the Sales team. While it is possible to filter deal records to show records that were created LAST X days only, it looks like a NEXT X days Closing date filter is not available. Would it be possiblePulling Specific Products from Sales Orders in Books to a CRM Record
We currently process orders directly through our website (woocommerce) as well as through manual sales orders in zoho books. When an order comes through the website, all of the individual products from that order show up in the CRM record of that customer.Você já viu os cursos do Zoho Mind?
Pessoal, Tem uma plataforma da Zoho chamada Zoho Mind, muito interessante os cursos e vídeos tutoriais que lá possui. Para a turma do Zoho Creator, tem uma dica de Buscar dados em Formulário, segue o link e clique em Zoho Creator. https://www.zohomind.com.br/#/videostutoriaisComo gerar gatilhos para pagamento de impostos no Zoho Books?
Olá Pessoal, boa tarde! Gostaria de saber como vocês estão escriturando os impostos a pagar no Zoho Books. Vi que temos a opção de Bills, porém se eu escriturar nesta aba do Zoho Books para gerar lembretes de tempo de vencimento por exemplo vai refletirSubform Time field to string.
Good afternoon All. I have a Subform 'Delivery_Receiving_Hours' that captures Day (Dropdown), Time_Open (Time), and Time_Close (Time). I need to capture this data and send it to a multiline field in the CRM. The code, posted below, below will captureworkflow for bounced email gets triggered, but email is status = opened
Hello, I have a workflow that sends me an email if outgoing email are bounced. Now I got some kind of this emails, but the corrosponding contacts have status = open at the email. Why this bounce-workflow is triggered? Reports > Email Reports > BounceData export
I need to export our customer's data and projects' data for our purpose but am unable to export full data i only get around 3160 projects and around 2k customer can you please help me to get full data, pleaseNext Page