Kaizen #202 - Answering Your Questions | Testing and Using REST APIs in Widgets
Hello Developers!
Welcome back to a fresh week of Kaizen!
Thank you for your active participation in sharing feedback and queries for the 200th milestone. This week, we will look at the following queries related to widget:
- Widget Testing
- Using REST API in Canvas Widgets: Make HTTP calls in widgets (e.g., to external tax or product APIs)
Here are the queries that we have already answered for you from this milestone:
- Kaizen #200 - Answering Your Questions | Token generation using the Python SDK
- Kaizen #201 - Answering Your Questions | Webhooks, Functions, and Schedules
Widget Testing
One of the queries we received was simply stated
Widget Testing
without any specific context. Since the user has not provided detailed input, we are assuming this is about how to test a widget during development.
You can test your Zoho CRM widget locally using the Zoho CLI. Run the following command from the root directory of your widget project:
zet run |
This launches the widget on a local server where you can validate the UI and functionality before pushing it live.
Since the localhost connection opens in a new tab and is not private, you will need to manually authorize it.
Click Advanced, then choose Proceed to 127.0.0.1 (unsafe) to continue.
Note
If your widget needs to access data from your Zoho CRM organization, such as fetching or updating records, it must be deployed within a Zoho CRM iframe. To do this, you should upload the widget through the Zoho CRM Widgets setup page.
We recommend using the sandbox environment in such cases before deploying the widget to your production environment.
Making HTTP Calls from Widget
Following is a query we received from a user:
Using REST API in Canvas Widgets: Make HTTP calls in widgets (e.g., to external tax or product APIs)
Yes. You can make HTTP requests to external services from any type of Zoho CRM widget using the ZOHO.CRM.HTTP object from the Widget JS SDK.
Canvas Widget - What's Supported?
Though full widget support within Canvas is on our roadmap, currently, you can invoke widgets from a Canvas view using Client Script. This lets you render widgets inside fly-outs or pop-ups. Here is a quick start guide on how you can achieve it:
Create a Widget
1. Create a widget project and code your logic using Zoho CLI as explained in our widget help page.
2. In Zoho CRM Developer Hub, create a new widget and set the type as Button.
Create a Client Script
3. Navigate to Client Scripts in Developer Hub and click New Script.
4. You can create your script either in the Modules or Commands category based on your use case.
In the Category Details section, ensure to select Canvas as the page type. Canvas views are supported in the following page contexts: List, Detail, Create, and Clone.
Choose the one that aligns with where your widget needs to appear.
5. Here is the sample script to render widget in a pop-up.
ZDK.Client.openPopup({ api_name: 'Canvas_Widget', type: 'widget', animation_type: 4, height: '450px', width: '450px', }, { data: 'sample data to be passed to "PageLoad" event of widget' }); |
Here is the sample script to render widget in a fly-out.
ZDK.Client.createFlyout('myFlyout', { animation_type: 4, height: '600px', width: '500px' } ); ZDK.Client.getFlyout('myFlyout').open({ api_name: 'Canvas_Widget', type: 'widget' }); |
You can also check out the Kaizen #99 on Rendering Widgets using Client Script for a detailed guide based on a real-time use case.
Using REST APIs from External Applications
The ZOHO.CRM.HTTP object enables you to make secure API calls directly from the Zoho CRM widget. It acts as a proxy, routing requests through Zoho servers, which eliminates the need for external applications to support CORS.
While this SDK is primarily used for integrating third-party services, it also supports Zoho CRM API calls. This provides you with greater flexibility to:
- Customize header and parameter structures
- Maintain a consistent calling pattern for both internal and external APIs within the widget.
Here is a basic syntax of the SDK:
ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.<method>({ url: "<request-url>", headers: { // Request headers as Key-value pairs "Authorization": "Bearer <token>" // example }, params: { // Request params as Key-value pairs "ids": "1234567890" // example }, body: "<stringified JSON>", // Required for POST, PUT and PATCH }) .then(function(response) { console.log("Response:", response); }); |
Supported Methods
- ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.get({ ... })
- ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.post({ ... })
- ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.put({ ... })
- ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.patch({ ... })
- ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.delete({ ... })
For more detail check out the HTTP method section of JS SDK help page.
Samples using Zoho CRM Contact Roles API
Let us explore a complete CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) example using Zoho CRM’s Contact Roles API.
These structures have to be used within the JS function where you are executing your code logic.
POST Contact Roles
POST Contact Roles
// Prepare the API request var request = { url: "https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v8/Contacts/roles", headers: { Authorization: "Zoho-oauthtoken 1000.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX265bcf20e4" }, body: { "contact_roles": [ { "name": "Sales Lead", "sequence_number": 1 } ] } }; // Make API call ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.post(request).then(function(data) { console.log(data); }) |
GET Contact Roles
// Prepare the API request var request = { url: "https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v8/Contacts/roles", headers: { Authorization: "Zoho-oauthtoken 1000.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX265bcf20e4" } }; // Make API call ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.get(request) .then(function(response) { console.log(response); }) |
UPDATE Contact Roles
// Prepare the API request var request = { headers: { Authorization: "Zoho-oauthtoken 1000.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX265bcf20e4" }, body: { "contact_roles": [ { "name": "Evaluator", "id": "5545974000000006871" } ] } }; // Make API call ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.put(request).then(function(data) { console.log(data); }) |
DELETE Contact Roles
// Prepare the API request var request = { params: { ids: "5545974000002617002" }, headers: { Authorization: "Zoho-oauthtoken 1000.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX265bcf20e4" } }; // Make API call ZOHO.CRM.HTTP.delete(request).then(function(data) { console.log(data); }) |
We hope you found this post useful.
Let us know if you have any questions in the comments or drop us an email at support@zohocrm.com.
Cheers!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Related Reading
1. Widget - An Overview, CLI Installation, Working with Widgets, JS SDKs, Mobile Compatibility of Widgets and Kaizens
3. Canvas - Getting Started, Purpose and Benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Previous Kaizen : Answering Your Questions | Webhooks, Functions, and Schedules | Kaizen Directory: Home
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
Haiku Technical Support
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
Timeline Tracking Support for records updates via module import and bulk write api
Note: This update is currently available in Early Access and will soon be rolled out across all data centers (DCs) and for all editions of Zoho CRM. The update will be available to all users within your organization, regardless of their profiles or roles.Shifts in Zoho People vs Zoho Shifts?
Hello Zoho People Team, We hope you are doing well. We are evaluating the Shifts functionality within Zoho People and comparing it to the standalone Zoho Shifts product. We’ve encountered comments and discussions suggesting that the Shifts feature insideDisable fields in During action in Blueprint?
Hi there. I've tried field disable (setReadOnly(true)) using client script and the event is onMandatoryFormLoad on detail page, assuming it'll work on blueprint fields, but it bears no result. Is this the expected behaviour? That we can't do this yet?Develop and publish a Zoho Recruit extension on the marketplace
Hi, I'd like to develop a new extension for Zoho Recruit. I've started to use Zoho Developers creating a Zoho CRM extension. But when I try to create a new extension here https://sigma.zoho.com/workspace/testtesttestest/apps/new I d'ont see the option of Zoho Recruit (only CRM, Desk, Projects...). I do see extensions for Zoho Recruit in the marketplace. How would I go about to create one if the option is not available in sigma ? Cheers, Rémi.Best Email Backup Wizard in 2026
While searching for an email backup solution, my main hesitation was reliability. As a user, I had already seen many tools that looked promising but failed when handling large mailboxes, skipped folders, or caused authentication issues during the backupSubforms and automation
If a user updates a field how do we create an automation etc. We have a field for returned parts and i want to get an email when that field is ticked. How please as Zoho tells me no automation on subforms. The Reason- Why having waited for ever for FSMAllow Managers to Create Shifts for Their Departments in Zoho People
Hello Zoho People Product Team, Greetings and hope you are doing well. This feature request is related to Zoho People - please don't move it to zoho one! We would like to submit a feature request regarding shift management permissions in Zoho People.Zoho Learn and Zoho CRM integration
I would like to see an integration between Zoho Learn and Zoho CRM. 1. To be able to add articles in a related list in all modules 2. Zia to suggest related articles in a Deal or Case or Lead 3. Ability to read / search articles during a call / followMaintain steady traffic to your domain: How Domain Aliasing helps
Consider this scenario: An organization has its primary domain as administrator.com. Now it wants to shorten its domain to admin.com because it's simpler and easier to remember. However, changing the domain completely can cause the following problems:Why Sharing Rules do Not support relative date comparison???
I am creating a Sharing Rule and simply want to share where "Last Day of Coverage" (Date field) is Greater than TODAY (Starting Tomorrow). However, sharing rules don't have the option to compare a date field to a relative date (like today), only to StaticHow do I migrate OLM file to Gmail?
Migrating emails from Outlook for Mac to Gmail can be challenging because Gmail does not support OLM files directly. This limitation often causes confusion and delays, especially when users need quick access to important emails and mailbox data on a web-basedCRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive
Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage filesWorkflow rule only allows 10 workflow per module
Apparently a Zoho professional edition only allows 10 workflow rules per module. This makes workflow allocation literally impossible while allocating potential to different members of the team. I have 15 licenses. Is there a way in which related alerts can be varied? In other words, is it possible to have different related alerts be triggered with different rule criteria. so if I say, if potential is 'x' then trigger related alert 'x' and if potential is 'y' then trigger related alert 'y' Thanks,IF Statement in Zoho CRM Formula Field
Hi, I am attempting to write a formula field that will give me one result if one statement AND another statement are true, then a different value if the first statement AND a different statement are true, else 0. Stated differently: if account = destinationCRM Percent custom fields: When will it show the % symbol and behave like %?
1. Actually Percent custom fields fail to show the % symbol. 2. When in formulas Percent fields work like number: 100 x 5% = 5 ideal world 100 x 5% = 500 what happens actually 3. When importing Percent fields the % symbol has to be removed and the dataFree Webinar: Zoho Sign for Zoho Projects: Automate tasks and approvals with e-signatures
Hi there! Handling multiple projects at once? Zoho Projects is your solution for automated and streamlined project management, and with the Zoho Sign extension, you can sign, send, and manage digital paperwork directly from your project workspace. JoinAutomatically CC an address using Zoho CRM Email Templates
Hi all - have searched but can't see a definitive answer. We have built multiple email templates in CRM. Every time we send this we want it to CC a particular address (the same address for every email sent) so that it populates the reply back into ourEditing the Ticket Properties column
This is going to sound like a dumb question, but I cannot figure out how to configure/edit the sections (and their fields) in this column: For example, we have a custom "Resolution" field, which parked itself in the "Ticket Information" section of this"Total Hours" on Employee Attendance Report
I'm learning that in Zoho jargon, "total hours" does not include paid breaks. Or at least not the way that my setup is working. That seems a little weird to me, since most jurisdictions in the US don't differentiate between time spent on paid break andFixed assets in Zoho One?
Hi, We use Zoho Books and have the fixed asset option in it. I started a trial for Zoho One and I do not see that as an option. Is the books that is part of zoho one equivalent to Zoho Books Elite subscription or is it a lesser version? Thanks, MattIntegration with...
Dear Zoho Commerce team, Please could you consider the integration within Zoho Commerce / Inventory and Qapla'? (https://www.qapla.it/en/) This app is better than Aftership in many ways: - Aftership integration require PRO plan and price start from moreRepeat Column merge in ZOHO writer columns doesn't allow to set max columns per row
I'm using ZOHO writer to merge data from a ZOHO CRM subform and I want it to make a table. We're using Insert Table for Column Repeat, because this is what we need. (Name of column (Teamname) and underneath that a list of names of teammembers). It worksGenerate leads from instagram
hello i have question. If connect instagram using zoho social, it is possible to get lead from instagram? example if someone send me direct message or comment on my post and then they generate to leadAdding Markdown text using Zoho Desk API into the Knowledge Base
Hi Zoho Community members, We currently maintain the documentation of out company in its website. This documentation is written in markdown text format and we would like to add it in Zoho Knowledge Base. Do you know if there is REST API functionalityCreate case via email
Good Afternoon, I have just registered and am taking a look around the system. Is it possible to create a case via email. I.e. an employee/client/supplier emails a certain address and that auto generates the case which then prompts a member of staffNeed a Universal Search Option in Zohobooks
Hello Zoho, Need a Universal Search Option in Zohobooks to search across all transactions in our books of accounts. Please do the needful ThanksLocked Notebook
Hi, I hadn't used my Notebook in some time and was refamiliarizing myself with it. I clicked a lock icon and now I can't unlock. When I hit the information or unlock icons I'm taken to a page with the notebook icon and a keyboard. When I type, nothingUnable to produce monthly P&L reports for previous years
My company just migrated to Books this year. We have 5+ years financial data and need to generate a monthly P&L for 2019 and a monthly P&L YTD for 2020. The latter is easy, but I'm VERY surprised to learn that default reports in Zoho Books cannot createHide fields only for creation
Hello, I'd like to hide some fields only during the creation of a contact in Zoho CRM. In fact I have some fields that are automatically calculated thanks to an automation, so when my users create a contact I don't want them to fill those fields. I knowIssues with Zoho Sheet in Mac
I have downloaded the Zoho App from App Store but It is failing to Save As, Open & Download Operations. App StoreWeekly Sales Summary
Is it possible to generate a weekly report in Zoho Books to show -$$ amount of estimates generated -# of estimates generated by Salesperson -$$ amount of Sales Orders created -$$ amount of Invoices generatedSubject character limit increase
We have an occasional user case where subject lines exceed 500 characters which is the ZeptoMail imposed limit. While I understand long subject lines are not "best practice", these are particular notification emails with specific information for clientCan I write a check in Zoho Books with no associated bill?
This currently does not seem possible, and I have a client that desperately needs this function if I am able to convert them with Quickbooks. Thank you in advance for your reply.OpenAPI Specs are just plain wrong
The provided yml files for generating the OpenAPI specs are absolutely riddled with errors and inconsistencies. From missing fields on the objects, to just incorrectly named resource objects. I'm having to go through and manually changing the spec toAbout Meetings (Events module)
I was working on an automation to cancel appointments in zoho flow , and in our case, we're using the Meetings module (which is called Events in API terms). But while working with it, I'm wondering what information I can display in the image where theCustom Footer – Zoho Writer Document
Hello everyone, I’m having an issue adding a custom footer in a Zoho Writer document. I would like to insert my company information (including a logo + address) in the footer. The problem is that when I add these elements, the main content of my pagesReport grouping
I have added a grouping in a report but it is not working how i had expected. I wanted to group a summary on a field named Size but when i add the grouping the report is still showing me each record and making a summary at the bottom of the report. WhatSocial Media Simplified with Zoho Social: Preview your Instagram grid before posting
For a platform like Instagram that relies on visual appeal, it's important that you plan your image and video content in a way that holds your audience's attention. Planning your grid ahead of time gives you the benefit of understanding how your postsSpreadsheet View click & focus issue in Arabic (RTL) localization
Hello Zoho Support Team, I am facing an issue in Zoho Creator Spreadsheet View when using Arabic localization (RTL). Scenario: My app supports English (LTR) and Arabic (RTL). I created a Spreadsheet View for a form. In English, everything works correctly.VAT rates - exempt and out of scope
Good Evening, UK based company here. I am a bit confused in respect of setting up VAT rates for exempt goods and services; at present I am simply leaving the VAT rate blank in the transactions in order to prevent any VAT appearing in the VAT return. WhenNext Page