Kaizen #150 : Track and Monitor Activities in Zoho CRM using the Export Audit Log API
Hello all!
Welcome back to another post in our Kaizen series.
This post details how to back up and track history of actions, such as those performed on a module (example: Leads), track actions performed by specific CRM users, and filter entries within a specific time range, using the Export Audit Log API introduced in Version 7.
Use Case
Zylker, a startup IT firm, has hired 10 project trainees for a six-month training program for the role of Technical Support Engineers. The manager at Zylker has added each trainee to the Zoho CRM as a user. These trainees interact with customers by giving product demos, attending meetings and calls, creating tasks, and being responsible for making deals won.
Solution
Zylker uses Zoho CRM's Export Audit Log API to track trainee activities. By exporting audit logs, the manager monitors how many calls, meetings, and tasks each trainee has completed. This helps the manager highlight areas where trainees need improvement and adjust training programs. After six months, the manager reviews the logs to decide which trainees performed well and should be offered permanent positions.
Note:
Users in the Administrator profile or CEO Role can access the audit logs. However, other users can only view their own and their sub-ordinates' audit Logs.
Exporting Audit Log
The Export Audit Log API is an asynchronous API, and an export job will be scheduled to export the audit log details. The exported audit log will be downloaded in either CSV or ZIP format, depending on the number of entries in the result. You can check the job's status using the Get the Status of the Export Audit Log Job API. Once the job is complete, you can download the results using the Download Export Audit Log Result API.
Let us see how Zylker uses the Zoho CRM API to monitor their trainees' performance.
Create Export Audit Log Job:
Sample Request: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/settings/audit_log_export
Request Method: POST
Scope: ZohoCRM.settings.audit_logs.CREATE
Notes:
- The above sample request exports up to the last three years of audit log data across all modules in your Zoho CRM.
- The input request is optional i.e., if you skip the input request, the system will still export all actions in Zoho CRM.
- Use filters to export specific audit entries.
The sample input below is used to export an audit log for all 10 trainees in the Calls, Events, and Tasks modules over a six-month time range.
{ "audit_log_export": [ { "criteria": { "group_operator": "and", "group": [ { "field": { "api_name": "done_by" }, "comparator": "in", "value": [ { "name": "Joe", "id": "5725767000000583089" }, { "name": "Boyle", "id": "5725767000000583000" }, { "name": "John", "id": "5725767000000583001" }, . . . ] }, { "group_operator": "and", "group": [ { "group_operator": "and", "group": [ { "field": { "api_name": "audited_time" }, "comparator": "between", "value": [ "2024-01-05T00:00:00+05:30", "2024-06-04T23:59:59+05:30" ] }, { "field": { "api_name": "module" }, "comparator": "in", "value": [ { "api_name": "Calls", "id": "5725767000000033015" }, { "api_name": "Events", "id": "5725767000000002195" }, { "api_name": "Tasks", "id": "5725767000000002193" } ] } ] } ] } ] } } ] } |
The above input schedules a job to export data that matches the criteria. The response to the above request is given below, and we will discuss how to see the status of the export audit log job and how to download the result in the upcoming sections in this post.
Refer to the Input JSON Keys to Export Audit Log Using Multiple Filters for input keys' explanations.
Note:
With filters (either single or multiple criteria), you can export up to 6 months (180 days) of audit log data. Note that the time range should not exceed 180 days.
Sample Response:
{ "audit_log_export": [ { "status": "success", "code": "SCHEDULED", "message": "ExportAuditlog scheduled successfully.", "details": { "id": "5725767000003525045" //unique job ID of the export audit log job. } } ] } |
The manager has scheduled an export audit log job to review their trainees' activities within the specified time range (six months).
Get the Status of the Export Audit Log Job
The manager at Zylker retrieves the details of the export audit log jobs that were scheduled previously using the POST Export Audit Log API.
- Exporting All Trainees' Activities: By reviewing the complete log, the manager can analyze the overall performance of all trainees.
- Filtering Specific trainees' Activities: Once after reviewing the entire log, the manager could filter data of only those trainees with average performance and provide them with the required training to help them improve.
Zylker retrieves the status of all scheduled export audit log jobs using the following URL:
{api-domain}/crm/{version}/settings/audit_log_export
By default, it returns all the scheduled export jobs.
For retrieving the status of a specific scheduled export audit log job, Zylker uses the following URL:
{api-domain}/crm/{version}/settings/audit_log_export/{export_job_id}
Request Method: GET
Scope: ZohoCRM.settings.audit_logs.READ
Here is the sample response showing the status of the export audit log job for all the trainees:
{ "audit_log_export": [ { "id": "5725767000003525048", "status": "finished", "job_start_time": "2024-08-07T12:12:39-07:00", "job_end_time": "2024-08-07T12:12:44-07:00", "expiry_date": "2024-08-14T12:12:39-07:00", "created_by": { "name": "Jim", //Zylker's Manager "id": "5725767000000411001" }, "criteria": { "group_operator": "and", "group": [ { "comparator": "between", "field": { "api_name": "audited_time" }, "value": [ "2024-01-05T00:00:00+05:30", "2024-06-04T23:59:59+05:30" ] }, { "comparator": "in", "field": { "api_name": "module" }, "value": [ { "api_name": "Tasks", "id": "5725767000000002193" }, { "api_name": "Events", "id": "5725767000000002195" }, { "api_name": "Calls", "id": "5725767000000033015" } ] } ] }, "download_links": [ ] } ] } |
Response JSON Keys explanation:
- audit_log_export (JSON array) : Contains the details for the audit log export request of the trainees.
- id (string) : Represents the unique job ID of the export audit log job.
- status (string) : Represents the status of the export audit log job. Possible values: Progress, Scheduled, Finished, and Failed.
- job_start_time (string) : Represents the time at which the export job started.
- job_end_time (string) : Represents when the export job was completed.
- expiry_date (string) : Represents the expiry time of the exported audit log available in the download links.
- created_by (JSON object) : Represents the ID and Name of the Zoho CRM user who initiated the export job.
- criteria (JSON object) : Represents the conditions specified for a specific export audit log job using the Create Export Audit Log API.
- download_links (JSON array) : Represents the unique downloadable link for the exported audit log. You can use this link to download the log data using the GET - Download Export Audit Log Result API.
Download Export Audit Log Result
The manager at Zylker can download the result logs using the the "download_links" JSON array key in the response Get the Status of the Export Audit Log Job API.
An export audit log will be in either CSV or ZIP format, depending on the number of entries in the result. If the audit log contains 100,000 or fewer entries, the system will automatically export the logs in a CSV file. If there are more than 100,000 entries, the logs will be split into multiple CSV files inside a ZIP file, with each CSV file holding up to 100,000 entries. A maximum of 10,00,000 audit entries will be exported in a ZIP file.
Request Method: GET
Scope: ZohoFiles.files.READ
In our case, download the audit log result in the CSV file format.
Based on the downloaded results, the manager will analyze the trainees' performance to make hiring decisions and identify areas where those with average performance may need additional training. This approach helps the manager at Zylker to keep track of all trainees' activities regularly.
We trust that this post meets your needs and is helpful. Let us know your thoughts in the comment or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com
Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts!
- Previous Kaizen Post: Kaizen #149 : Using GraphQL APIs to fetch data in a consolidated way
- Further Readings:
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
Subramanian K
Sticky Posts
Kaizen #226: Using ZRC in Client Script
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. In today's post, lets see what is ZRC (Zoho Request Client) and how we can use ZRC methods in Client Script to get inputs from a Salesperson and update the Lead status with a single button click. In thisKaizen #222 - Client Script Support for Notes Related List
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. The final Kaizen post of the year 2025 is here! With the new Client Script support for the Notes Related List, you can validate, enrich, and manage notes across modules. In this post, we’ll explore howKaizen #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 achieved
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
Ability to Edit YouTube Video Title, Description & Thumbnail After Publishing
Hi Zoho Social Team, How are you? We would like to request an enhancement to Zoho Social that enables users to edit YouTube video details after the video has already been published. Your team confirmed that while Zoho Social currently allows editing theHow do I remove a data source from Zoho Analytics?
I am unable to find a delte option on a datasource that i put in the system as an error. On teh web it refers to a setup icon but I do not see that on my interface?Add Employee Availability Functionality to Zoho People Shift Module
Hello Zoho People Product Team, Greetings and hope you are doing well. We would like to submit a feature request to enhance the Zoho People Shift module by adding employee availability management, similar to the functionality available in Zoho Shifts.Bigin, more powerful than ever on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and watchOS 26.
Hot on the heels of Apple’s latest OS updates, we’ve rolled out several enhancements and features designed to help you get the most from your Apple devices. Enjoy a refined user experience with smoother navigation and a more content-focused Liquid GlassReally want the field "Company" in the activities module!
Hi team! Something we are really missing is able to see the field Company when working in the activities module. We have a lot of tasks and need to see what company it's related to. It's really annoying to not be able to see it.🙈 Thx!Delay in rendering Zoho Recruit - Careers in the ZappyWorks
I click on the Careers link (https://zappyworks.zohorecruit.com/jobs/Careers) on the ZappyWorks website expecting to see the job openings. The site redirects me to Zoho Recruit, but after the redirect, the page just stays blank for several seconds. I'mIs Desk Down?
Across department - always an error. [Status Mode] - error [Table View and the rest] - workingWe Asked, Zoho Delivered: The New Early Access Program is Here
For years, the Zoho Creator community has requested a more transparent and participatory approach to beta testing and feature previews. Today, I'm thrilled to highlight that Zoho has delivered exactly what we asked for with the launch of the Early AccessCan the Product Image on the Quote Template be enlarged
Hello, I am editing the Quote Template and added ${Products.Product Image} to the line item and the image comes up but it is very tiny. Is there anyway that you can resize this to be larger? Any help would be great! ThanksHow do I change the wording of the tile of SignForm?
When my user opens a SignForm url, the title that is presented is always "SignForm signer Information" and a form is displayed asking for the username and email address. This can be confusing to the end user. How can I change the title at least (Or atHow to link tickets to a Vendor/Vendor Contact (not Customer) for Accounting Department?
Hi all, We’re configuring our Accounting department to handle tickets from both customers and vendors (our independent contractors). Right now, ticket association seems to be built around linking a ticket to a Customer / Customer Contact, but for vendor-originatedProblem with CRM Connection not Refreshing Token
I've setup a connection with Zoom in the CRM. I'm using this connection to automate some registrations, so my team doesn't have to manually create them in both the CRM and Zoom. Connection works great in my function until the token expires. It does not refresh and I have to manually revoke the connection and connect it again. I've chatted with Zoho about this and after emailing me that it couldn't be done I asked for specifics on why and they responded. "The connection is CRM is not a feature toAutomatic Matching from Bank Statements / Feeds
Is it possible to have transactions from a feed or bank statement automatically match when certain criteria are met? My use case, which is pretty broadly applicable, is e-commerce transactions for merchant services accounts (clearing accounts). In theseClone Recurring Expenses
Our bookkeeping practices make extensive use of the "clone" feature for bills, expenses, invoices, etc. This cuts down significantly on both the amount of typing that needs to be done manually and, more importantly, the mental overhead of choosing theUnify 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,Automation #7 - Auto-update Email Content to a Ticket
This is a monthly series where we pick some common use cases that have been either discussed or most asked about in our community and explain how they can be achieved using one of the automation capabilities in Zoho Desk. Email is one of the most commonlyTicket to article and Ticket to template
Hello! I would like to know if it is possible (and how) to do the following actions: 1. To generate an article from a ticket (reply + original message) 2. Easy convert an answer to an email templateIs there API Doc for Zoho Survey?
Hi everyone, Is there API doc for Zoho Survey? Currently evaluating a solution - use case to automate survey administration especially for internal use. But after a brief search, I couldn't find API doc for this. So I thought I should ask here. ThanWindows Desktop App - request to add minimization/startup options
Support Team, Can you submit the following request to your development team? Here is what would be optimal in my opinion from UX perspective: 1) In the "Application Menu", add a menu item to Exit the app, as well as an alt-key shortcut for these menusCreating Parent Child relationship in Accounts
We have customers with multiple locations, I setup the HQ as an account, then I setup the different sites marking the HQ as the parent to that location. If I then do a Deal for one of the locations, is there a way to show by looking at the parent accountKaizen #225 - Making Query-based Custom Related Lists Actionable with Lookups and Links
Hello everyone! Welcome back to another post in the Kaizen series! This week, we will discuss an exciting enhancement in Queries in Zoho CRM. In Kaizen #190, we discussed how Queries bridge gaps where native related lists fall short and power custom relatedWebDAV / FTP / SFTP protocols for syncing
I believe the Zoho for Desktop app is built using a proprietary protocol. For the growing number of people using services such as odrive to sync multiple accounts from various providers (Google, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, etc.) it would be really helpfulCRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users
Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storageNon-responsive views in Mobile Browser (iPad)
Has anyone noticed that the creator applications when viewed in a mobile browser (iPad) lost its responsiveness? It now appears very small font size and need to zoom into to read contents. Obviously this make use by field staff quite difficult. This is not at all a good move, as lots of my users are depending on accessing the app in mobile devices (iPads), and very challenging and frustrating.[Free Webinar] Learning Table Series - AI-Enhanced Logistics Management in Zoho Creator
Hello Everyone! We’re excited to invite you to another edition of Learning Table Series, where we showcase how Zoho Creator empowers industries with innovative and automated solutions. About Learning Table Series Learning Table Series is a free, 45-60Learner transcript Challenges.
Currently i am working on a Learner Transcript app for my employer using Zoho Creator. The app is expected to accept assessment inputs from tutors, go through an approval process and upon call up, displays all assessments associated with a learner inCustomizable UI components in pages | Theme builder
Anyone know when these roadmap items are scheduled for release? They were originally scheduled for Q4 2025. https://www.zoho.com/creator/product-roadmap.htmlFeature Request - Set Default Values for Meetings
Hi Zoho CRM Team, I would be very useful if we could set default values for meeting parameters. For example, if you always wanted Reminder 1 Day before. Currently you need to remember to choose it for every meeting. Also being able to use merge tags toAnalytics <-> Invoice Connection DELETED by Zoho
Hi All, I am reaching out today because of a big issue we have at the moment with Zoho Analytics and Zoho Invoice. Our organization relies on Zoho Analytics for most of our reporting (operationnal teams). A few days ago we observed a sync issue with theHow to use Rollup Summary in a Formula Field?
I created a Rollup Summary (Decimal) field in my module, and it shows values correctly. When I try to reference it in a Formula Field (e.g. ${Deals.Partners_Requested} - ${Deals.Partners_Paid}), I get the error that the field can’t be found. Is it possibleZoho Creator to Zoho CRM Images
Right now, I am trying to setup a Notes form within Zoho Creator. This Notes will note the Note section under Accounts > Selected Account. Right now, I use Zoho Flow to push the notes and it works just fine, with text only. Images do not get sent (thereCRM gets location smart with the all new Map View: visualize records, locate records within any radius, and more
Hello all, We've introduced a new way to work with location data in Zoho CRM: the Map View. Instead of scrolling through endless lists, your records now appear as pins on a map. Built on top of the all-new address field and powered by Mappls (MapMyIndia),Error Logs / Failure logs for Client Scripts Functions
Hi Team, While we are implementing client scripts for the automation, it is working fine in few accounts but not working for others. So, it would be great if we can have error Logs for client scripts also just like custom functions. Is there any way thatAutomate pushing Zoho CRM backups into Zoho WorkDrive
Through our Zoho One subscription we have both Zoho CRM and Zoho WorkDrive. We have regular backups setup in Zoho CRM. Once the backup is created, we are notified. Since we want to keep these backups for more than 7 days, we manually download them. TheyZoho Books blocks invoicing without VeriFactu even though it is not mandatory until 2027
I would like to highlight a very serious issue in Zoho Books for Spain. 1. The Spanish government has postponed the mandatory start of VeriFactu to January 1st, 2027. This means that during all of 2026 businesses are NOT required to transmit invoicesProblem : Auto redirect from zoho flow to zoho creator
Hi there, I've been waiting for zoho team to get back on this for last couple of days. Anyone else have the problem to access zoho flow? everytime I click on zoho flow it redirects me to zoho creator. I tried incognito mode but it still direct me to zohoClient and Vendor Portal
Some clients like keeping tabs on the developments and hence would like to be notified of the progress. Continuous updates can be tedious and time-consuming. Zoho Sprints has now introduced a Client and Vendor Portal where you can add client users and#7 Tip of the week: Delegating approvals in Zoho People
With Zoho People, absences need not keep employees waiting with their approval requests. When you are not available at work, you can delegate approvals that come your way to your fellow workmate and let them take care of your approvals temporarily. Learn more!Trouble with using Apostrophe in Name of Customers and Vendors
We have had an ongoing issue with how the system recognizes an apostrophe in the name of customers and vendors. The search will not return any results for a name that includes the mark; ie one of our vendors names is "L'Heritage" and when entering theWhy am I seeing deleted records in Zoho Analytics syncing with Zoho CRM?
I have done a data sync between Zoho CRM and Zoho Analytics, and the recycle bin is empty. Why do I see deleted leads/deals/contacts in Zoho Analytics if it doesn't exist in Zoho CRM? How can I solve this problem? ThanksNext Page