Kaizen 175 - Leverage Settings Widget for Zoho CRM Extensions
Howdy, innovators!
Welcome back to a fresh week of Kaizen.
This week, we will delve into configuring a Settings widget in Zoho CRM for the effective functioning of extensions. It centralizes around key configurations that will be carried out to various integrations in an extension. A user-friendly settings widget enhances the usability and flexibility of your extensions.
Why use a Settings Widget?
A Settings Widget plays a crucial role in making extensions user-friendly and adaptable to specific business needs. Following are a few key advantages of using the settings widget:
- Seamless Setup Post-Installation: Users can configure critical parameters right after installing the extension.
- Dynamic Customization: Users can revisit and modify configurations at any time, ensuring that the extension adapts to changing needs without re-installation or development
- Improved User Experience: Allows the end-users to control how the extension interacts with their workflows and data.
- Enhanced Control: Provides an overview and centralized control, making maintenance, troubleshooting, and updates simpler and faster.
Business Scenario: Notification Settings for Lead Import Extension
Let’s take a real-world use case to understand the value of this settings widget.
Imagine an organization named Zylker, using Zoho CRM along with a lead import extension. This extension pulls in leads from multiple sources like web forms, social media, or third-party marketing tools.
Requirement
Whenever a new lead enters a Zoho CRM organization through this extension, the sales team wants to receive an instant notification on a specific Zoho Cliq channel for that organization. This ensures they never miss a lead.
Solution
By adding a Settings Widget to the extension, users can:
> Select a Preferred Zoho Cliq Channel: From the settings page, users can choose the channel where notifications should be sent.
> Modify the Channel Anytime: Based on team restructuring or communication preferences, users can revisit the settings and update the channel as needed.
With this setup, the settings widget becomes the control center, ensuring the efficient functioning of both the extension and the sales process.
Building a Settings Extension Widget
Let us create a sample settings widget for the above business scenario.
Create a Private Extension Widget
1. Log into Zoho CRM, navigate to Setup > Marketplace > Extension Builder, and create a new extension by selecting Zoho CRM as the service.
2. The private extension that you have created will be listed in the Extensions page. Choose your extension and click the edit icon.
You will then be redirected to the Zoho Developer Console.
Dependency Configuration
Now, let us configure a couple of dependencies required for this use case in the developer console.
Connectors
To notify a Zoho Cliq channel, Connectors authorize the end user's Zoho Cliq account with the extension and grant access to the necessary data. Follow these steps to create a connector with the required APIs for the widget.
3. In the console, navigate to Utilities > Connectors on the left-side menu.
4. Click Create Connector and provide the required details using the guidance available on the Server-based Application help page.
5. Use the generated Redirect URL to register your application in Zoho's API Console. After registration, enter the Client ID and Client Secret in the developer console.
6. Create Connector APIs for the following:
- GET List of all Channels to fetch all the available channels from your Zoho Cliq Account.
The Authorization header is automatically added to all the Connector APIs. - POST Message in Channel to notify the incoming leads in the channel.
You can include dynamic place holders in the URL, header, or request body using this format ${place_holder}.
7. Once the APIs are configured, publish and associate the connector with the extension.
Refer to the Connectors help document to learn more.
Variable
Variables are required to store the admin's preferred channel details and retrieve them when a lead enters Zoho CRM through the extension. Upon installing the extension, this variable is automatically created in your Zoho CRM org.
8. Go to Build > Custom Properties and create a variable.
Set the variable's permission to Hidden to prevent the CRM users from accessing/modifying the variable data from the Zoho CRM Variables page. This ensures that variables can only be configured through the extension.
For more information, refer to the Custom Variables help document.
Tip
In your Zoho CRM, go to Setup > Security Control > Profiles and restrict permissions for your extension to prevent unauthorized access to the settings page.
In your Zoho CRM, go to Setup > Security Control > Profiles and restrict permissions for your extension to prevent unauthorized access to the settings page.
Building a Connected App
9. In the console, go to Utilities > Connected Apps on the left-side menu.
10. Follow the steps provided in this kaizen to create a new Zoho CRM widget for this use case.
Code Logic for the Settings Panel
- Create a drop-down field called Select Cliq Channel to the settings panel. This dropdown should dynamically list the channels from your Zoho Cliq account by invoking the GET Cliq Channels API. Follow the given Invoke Connector method to execute Connector APIs.
// Initialize Zoho Embed SDK ZOHO.embeddedApp.on("PageLoad", function () { fetchCliqChannels(); }); ZOHO.embeddedApp.init(); // Fetch Cliq channels async function fetchCliqChannels() { const channelDropdown = document.getElementById("cliqChannel"); try { console.log("Fetching channels from Zoho Cliq..."); const req_data = { "parameters": {} }; const response = await ZOHO.CRM.CONNECTOR.invokeAPI("leadgeneration.zohocliq.listofallchannels", req_data); console.log("Response from Zoho Cliq:", response); const parsedResponse = JSON.parse(response.response); const channels = parsedResponse.channels; if (channels && Array.isArray(channels)) { channelDropdown.innerHTML = channels.map(channel => `<option value="${channel.unique_name}">${channel.name}</option>`).join(''); } else { throw new Error("Invalid response structure"); } } catch (error) { console.error("Error fetching channels:", error); if (error.code === '403') { console.error("Authorization Exception: Please check your API permissions and authentication."); } channelDropdown.innerHTML = '<option value="">Failed to load channels</option>'; } } |
- Add a Save Configuration button that stores the selected channel name and channel ID in the variable created earlier. To save the selected data into the variable, use the invokeAPI() function, with the namespace as crm.set.
// Save configuration async function saveConfiguration(event) { event.preventDefault(); const channelDropdown = document.getElementById("cliqChannel"); const selectedChannelUniqueName = channelDropdown.value; const selectedChannelName = channelDropdown.options[channelDropdown.selectedIndex].text; if (!selectedChannelUniqueName) { alert("Please select a channel."); return; } const settings = { unique_name: selectedChannelUniqueName, name: selectedChannelName }; const data = { "apiname": "leadgeneration__Cliq_Channel", "value": JSON.stringify(settings) }; try { const response = await ZOHO.CRM.CONNECTOR.invokeAPI("crm.set", data); console.log("Updated settings:", response); document.getElementById("setupStatus").innerText = "Configuration saved successfully!"; } catch (error) { console.error("Error saving configuration:", error); document.getElementById("setupStatus").innerText = "Failed to save configuration."; } } |
- When a lead enters Zoho CRM through the extension, it should trigger a function that:Retrieves the saved channel details:
> Retrieves the saved channel details: Uses the Get Organization Variable JS SDK to call the Zoho CRM GET Variable API to fetch the saved channel details.
> Notifies the channel: Sends a message to the retrieved channel using the Post Message API.
Info
-> A complete working code sample for the use case is attached at the end of this post for your reference.
-> The test function for triggering notifications is also included in the attachment. You can use the same snippet in your extension to initiate the notification process.
-> Ensure to replace the unique names of your Connector APIs and Variable.
11. Fill in the details of the application as shown in this image and upload the widget ZIP file packed using the Zoho CLI command.
12. Click Save.
Configure the Settings Widget
13. Navigate to Build > Settings Widget in the left menu.
14. Provide a Name and the Resource Path of your widget.
15. Click Save.
The Settings Widget for Extension is available upon request. Contact support@zohocrmplatform.com to enable it for your account.
Packaging, Publishing and Deploying
16. Go to Package > Publish on the left-side menu and publish the extension.
17. The review process for listing an extension in the Marketplace will take from three weeks to one month.
For the demo, we will proceed with deploying the extension using the private plugin deployment link.
18. Now, replace the URL of your Zoho CRM page with the deployment link from the Developer Console and approve the extension installation.
Try it Out!
Once installed:
> A pop-up will appear, prompting you to authorize Zoho Cliq for the required configurations.
If you do not already have a Zoho Cliq account, you can sign up directly from the pop-up and proceed with the authorization.
> After authorization, you will be redirected to the Settings widget page, where you can select and save your preferred Cliq channel.
> If you need to update the settings later, you can find them on the Installed Extensions page under the respective extension.
Note
The demo videos above use a testing function to notify the channel. You can deploy it anywhere in your extension to trigger a notification whenever a lead enters a Zoho CRM organization through the extension.
Find the function in the attachments at the end of this post.
Similar Scenarios
- Sales Territory Management: An extension that auto-assigns incoming leads to sales reps can use a settings widget to allow managers to define territories and sales rep mappings dynamically.
- Custom Field Mapping: For extensions that sync data between Zoho CRM and external systems, a settings widget can let users map CRM fields to external system fields.
- Automated Email Preferences: In email automation extensions, the settings widget can allow users to specify email templates, recipients, or trigger conditions for follow-ups and campaigns.
Adding a Settings Widget to your Zoho CRM Extensions not only enhances user experience but also boosts the flexibility and efficiency of your extension. Whether it is notifying sales teams or customizing field mappings, a well-designed settings page is a game-changer for your extensions.
Explore the Widget section in our Kaizen collection to try out various widget types and discover their unique use cases.
If you have any queries or a topic to be discussed reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com or drop your comment below.
Until next time, keep innovating!
Cheers!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Reading
- Zoho CRM Widget - An Overview, Installation and Creation, Mobile Compatibility, Telephony Widget Extension, and other Kaizens.
- Widget SDKs - An Overview, Invoke Connector and Get Organization Variable.
- Zoho Developer Console - An Overview, Creating Extensions, Building Connected Apps, and A Quick Start Guide.
- Zoho Extensions - Custom Variables and Connectors
- Zoho Cliq - GET List of Channels and POST Message in Channel.
- Zoho Marketplace - An Overview
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous Kaizen: Kaizen #174 - Client Script Commands | Kaizen Collection: Directory
More enhancements in the COQL API are now live in Zoho CRM API Version 7. Check out the V7 Changelog for detailed information on these updates.
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
Kiruthiga G
Sticky Posts
Kaizen #197: Frequently Asked Questions on GraphQL APIs
🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint
Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.Celebrating 200 posts of Kaizen! Share your ideas for the milestone post
Hello Developers, We launched the Kaizen series in 2019 to share helpful content to support your Zoho CRM development journey. Staying true to its spirit—Kaizen Series: Continuous Improvement for Developer Experience—we've shared everything from FAQsKaizen #193: Creating different fields in Zoho CRM through API
🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.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! Commands
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
New integration: Track booking page appointments in Google Analytics 4
Hello all, Greetings from the Zoho Bookings team! We’re excited to introduce our new Google Analytics 4 (GA4) integration designed to help you track booking activity, understand customer behavior, and measure marketing performance, all in one place. WhatHow to list emails in a folder, e.g. Inbox, on multiple pages when using Zoho mail webpage?
Something as shown in the figure. There are totally 50 emails in Sent folder. If "Mail per page" equals 20, then the Sent folder is split into 3 pages. When I wander through Sent folder, I can just select a specific page to jump to. BTW, it seems thatHow to add image to items list in Invoice or Estimate?
Hello! I have just started using Zoho Invoice to create estimates and, possibly to switch from our current CRM/ERP Vendor to Zoho. I have a small company that is installing CCTV systems and Alarm systems. My question is, can I add images of my "items" to item list in Zoho Invoice and Estimates and their description? I would like to show my clients the image of items in our estimates so they can decide if they like these items. And I tell you, often they choose more expensive products just becauseZoho Calendar soft bounce on @hotmail.com and @yahoo.com email addresses
Hello, our Zoho calendar recently does not send the calendar invites to emails with hotmail and yahoo domains and comes back with a "soft bounce". other domains like Gmail works fine. Also sending "email" to the same emails to the above domains work wellHow can I filter a field integration?
Hi, I have a field integration from CRM "Products" in a form, and I have three product Categories in CRM. I only need to see Products of a category. Thanks for you answers.ERROR CODE :512 - 5.4.4 DNS error:NXDOMAIN.
Suddenly we cant send mail, we are getting this error for all outbound mail to multiple domains.Can Zoho Flows repeat Actions more than once?
I'm attempting to make an intentional Zoho Flow loop using the below layout. However, when "WithinLimit" condition is met, the program fails to execute the action "Get & Add Request Co..." again. Is this by design? Is Zoho Flows unable to repeat actionsUnveiling Cadences: Redefining CRM interactions with automated sequential follow-ups
Last modified on 01/04/2024: Cadences is now available for all Zoho CRM users in all data centres (DCs). Note that it was previously an early access feature, available only upon request, and was also known as Cadences Studio. As of April 1, 2024, it'scustomer data security
We are exploring ways to enhance our within Zoho CRM. Our Goal: We want to fully integrate RingCentral with Zoho CRM to enable click-to-call functionality for our sales team. However, to comply with data privacy regulations and protect customer contactZoho 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 constantlySync CRM inventory data with Zoho Books
I just switched everything over to ZoHo books, but I am trying to find out why the CRM Estimates, Invoices, and Sales Orders created in ZoHo CRM are not then duplicated in ZoHo Books? I had Quickbooks before, and had to do everything twice, I thoughtmask Customer phone number and agents cant see customer phone number
Is there any way we can integrate Zoom Phone with Zoho CRM while ensuring that customer phone numbers remain masked? We need a solution where agents can make outbound calls but cannot see customer phone numbers. Please let us know if there is any solutionEmail Reminders on Shared Calendars
How do we turn off the setting that emails reminders to everyone who has accepted or declined a calendar invite? If 8 of us have been invited to the same meeting, we receive 8 notifications for every step of the process, from invitation to decision.Default Sorting on Related Lists
Is it possible to set the default sorting options on the related lists. For example on the Contact Details view I have related lists for activities, emails, products cases, notes etc... currently: Activities 'created date' newest first Emails - 'createdOne Contact with Multiple Accounts with Portal enabled
I have a contact that manages different accounts, so he needs to see the invoices of all the companies he manage in Portal but I found it not possible.. any idea? I tried to set different customers with the same email contact with the portal enabled andWebDAV / 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 helpful if you implemented standard protocols such as WebDAV / FTP / SFTP so that alternative inc clients can be used.What's New in Zoho Inventory | Q2 2025
Hello Customers, The second quarter have been exciting months for Zoho Inventory! We’ve introduced impactful new features and enhancements to help you manage inventory operations with even greater precision and control. While we have many more excitingHow to refresh a ticket view ?
I am doing a widget where I send a rest api call to make a new draft to the ticket I am viewing. The issue is sometimes it refresh a ticket view and I can see inserted draft right away, but sometimes I do not see it even if it is inserted correctly andUgh! - Text Box (Single Line) Not Enough - Text Box (Multi-line) Unavailable in PDF!
I provide services, I do not sell items. In each estimate I send I provide a customized job description. A two or three sentence summary of the job to be performed. I need to be able to include this job description on each estimate I send as it's a criticalMerge Items
Is there a work around for merging items? We currently have three names for one item, all have had a transaction associated so there is no deleting (just deactivating, which doesn't really help. It still appears so people are continuing to use it). I also can't assign inventory tracking to items used in past transactions, which I don't understand, this is an important feature moving forward.. It would be nice to merge into one item and be able to track inventory. Let me know if this is possible.Supervisor Rules - Zoho Desk
Hi, I have set up a Supervisor Rule in Zoho Desk to send an email alert when a ticket has been on hold for 48 hours. Is there a way to change it so that the alert only sends once and not on an hourly basis? Thank you LauraResponseCode 421, 4.7.0 [TSS04] Messages from 136.143.188.51 temporarily deferred due to user complaints
Had email bounce. Let me know if you can fix this. Thanks. MichaelZoho Canvas - Custom templates for related lists
Hi, I see that the example pages load always one of our related lists in a custom template, but I dont know how to work with that: 1) How can i make my own custom templates for related lists? 2) Where and how can i check out existing custom templates?Automation #15: Automatically Adding Static Secondary Contacts
Rockel is a top-tier client of Zylker traders. Marcus handles communications with Rockel and would like to add Terence, the CTO of Zylker traders to the email conversations. In this case, the emails coming from user address rockel.com should have TerenceNew Zoho triggers Google Dangerous flag due toabnormal charcters
Just signed up and doing my first email test. I sent it to my google email account but it got flagged as Dangerous" due abnormal characters. My DNS setup looks ok. Page snips attached Help Please Thanks, Rick DC PowerWorldIs there a API to fetch tasks in a Board/Section
I am writing a scheduled function that retrieves all the tasks and send an reminder on cliq. I cannot seem to find a API to fetch tasks (by user / board / section) What are the way to fetch tasks?Having trouble fetching contents of Zoho Connect Feeds using the API, requesting alternative API documentation.
I'm trying to retrieve feed/post data from Zoho Connect using the API but facing challenges with the current documentation. What I've tried: OAuth authentication is working correctly (getting 200 OK responses) Tested multiple endpoints: /pulse/nativeapi/v2/feeds,Adding an Account Name to Tasks/Reminders
Does anyone know how to add the related account name to a task? When we look at the list of activities and when the reminders pop up, there is no way of quickly seeing who the account is.Top Bar Shifting issue still not fixed yet
I mentioned in a previous ticket that on Android, the top bar shifts up when you view collections or when you're in the settings. That issue still hasn't been fixed yet. I don't wanna have to reinstall the app as I've noticed for some reason, reinstallingTriggering Zoho Flow on Workdrive File Label
Right now Im trying to have a zoho flow trigger on the labeling/classification of a file in a folder. Looking at the trigger options they arent great for something like this. File event occurred is probably the most applicable, but the events it has arentSendMail to multiple recipients
Hi, I'm trying to send an email to a list of recipients. Right now the "to" field is directed to a string variable. (List variables won't work here). In the string variable, how can I make it work? trying "user@app.com;user2@app.com" or "user@app.com; user2@app.com" just failed to send the emails. RavidPopulate drop down field from another form's subform
Hello, I found how to do that, but not in case of a subform. I have a Product form that has a subform for unit and prices. A product might have more than one unit. For example, the product "Brocoli" can be sold in unit at 3$ or in box of 10 at 25 $. BothUsar o Inventory ou módulo customizado no CRM para Gestão de Estoque ?
Minha maior dor hoje em usar o zoho é a gestão do meu estoque. Sou uma empresa de varejo e essa gestão é fundamental pra mim. Obviamente preciso que esse estoque seja visível no CRM, Inicialmente fiz através de módulos personalizados no próprio Zoho CRM,Signup forms behaviour : Same email & multiple submissions
My use case is that I have a signup form (FormA) that I use in several places on my website, with a hidden field so I can see where the contact has been made from. I also have a couple of other signup forms (FormB and FormC) that slight differences. Allgetting error in project users api
Hello, I'm getting a "Given URL is wrong" error when trying to use the Zoho Projects V3 API endpoint for adding users to a project. The URL I'm using is https://projectsapi.zoho.com/api/v3/portal/{portalid}/projects/{projectid}/projectusers/ and it'sChange total display format in weekly time logs
Hi! Would it be possible to display the total of the value entered in the weekly time log in the same format that the user input? This could be an option in the general settings -> display daily timesheet total in XX.XX format or XX:XX.Different Company Name for billing & shipping address
We are using Zoho Books & Inventory for our Logistics and started to realize soon, that Zoho is not offering a dedicated field for a shipping address company name .. when we are creating carrier shipping labels, the Billing Address company name gets alwaysHow to display historical ticket information of the total time spent in each status
Hi All, Hoping someone can help me, as I am new to Zoho Analytics, and I am a little stuck. I am looking to create a bar chart that looks back over tickets raised in the previous month and displays how much time was spent in each status (With Customer,Zoho Projects iOS app update: Global Web Tabs support
Hello everyone! In the latest version(v3.10.10) of the Zoho Projects app update, we have brought in support for Global Web Tabs. You can now access the web tabs across all the projects from the Home module of the app. Please update the app to the latestZoho Community Weekend Maintenance: 13–15 Sep 2025
Hi everyone, We wanted to give you a heads-up that Zoho Community will undergo scheduled maintenance this weekend. During this period, some community features will be temporarily unavailable, while others will be in read-only mode. Maintenance Window:Next Page