Kaizen #21 - Functions in Zoho CRM

Kaizen #21 - Functions in Zoho CRM

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to another week in the Kaizen series!
This week, we will discuss Functions in detail.

What will you learn from this post?
  1. What are Functions in Zoho CRM?
  2. Creating a function
    1. Choosing a function category
    2. Function body
  3. Integration Tasks
  4. Triggering Functions
    1. From Zoho CRM functionalities
    2. From third-party applications
  5. Limits of Functions

1. What are Functions in Zoho CRM?
  • Functions help you accomplish the tasks that are not available by default in Zoho CRM. 
  • You must write custom functions using DELUGE [Data Enriched Language for the Universal Grid Environment]—An online scripting language.
  • Using custom functions, you can automate actions within Zoho CRM, across Zoho products, or between Zoho CRM and any other third-party application.
Note:
Functions are supported only in the enterprise and ultimate editions.

2. Creating a function

To create a function:

Step 1: Go to Setup > Developer Space > Functions


Step 2: Click +New Function


Step 3: Enter details like the Function Name, Display Name, Description, and choose the function category.


2a. Choosing a function category

Functions can fall under five categories:
  • Button: The function gets executed when the user clicks the custom button.
  • Automation: The function gets executed based on workflow rules.
  • Schedule: The function gets executed based on a schedule.
  • Related List: The function gets invoked from a related list.
  • Standalone: A stand-alone function that can be triggered externally.
  • Validation Rule: The function gets executed based on a validation rule.

Step 4: Write the function logic in the console. To know more about DELUGE, refer to Deluge.
Here is an example of a function that automatically generates a quote from a deal on just the click of a button. In DealToQuote() function, the input values are extracted from deals. You can also choose to get them from the users as arguments or JSON request body.


2b. Function Body
potDetails = zoho.crm.getRecordById("Deals",potId.toLong());//integration task
/*Extracting details from the deal*/
quotesubject = ifnull(potDetails.get("Deal_Name"),""); 
contact = ifnull(potDetails.get("Contact_Name").get("id"),""); 
account = ifnull(potDetails.get("Account_Name").get("id"),"");
description = ifnull(potDetails.get("Description"),"");
RelatedProducts = zoho.crm.getRelatedRecords("Products","Potentials",potId.toLong());
product_items = List();
sub = 0.0;
/*Extracting product details from the deal and adding it to quote*/
for each product in RelatedProducts
{
proid = product.get("id");
proname = product.get("Product_Name");
productDesc = ifnull(product.get("Description"),"Manque Description Produit !!!");
quantity = 1;
price = ifnull(product.get("Unit_Price"),"0.0").toDecimal();
listprice = price * quantity;
lineitem = Map();
lineitem.put("product",{"name":proname,"id":proid});
lineitem.put("product_description",productDesc);
lineitem.put("quantity",quantity);
lineitem.put("net_total",listprice);
lineitem.put("total",listprice);
lineitem.put("list_price",listprice);
sub = sub + listprice;
product_items.add(lineitem);
}
/*Storing quote details*/
paramap = Map();
paramap.put("Product_Details",product_items);
paramap.put("Subject",quotesubject);
paramap.put("Contact_Name",contact);
paramap.put("Account_Name",account);
paramap.put("Deal_Name",potId.toLong());
paramap.put("Sub_Total",sub);
paramap.put("Grand_Total",sub);
paramap.put("Description",description);
createResp = zoho.crm.createRecord("Quotes",paramap);
info paramap;
info createResp;
newid = createResp.get("id");
return "Success";

Step 5: Once you have written your logic, click save and execute.


Step 6: Enter the argument values, if any.


Step 7: If your function gets executed successfully, you will get a success message.

Step 7: Click Save.

3. Integration Tasks
Integration tasks are pre-defined functions that allow you to get, create, and update records in Zoho CRM. You can simply use these method names in your Deluge script along with the required data to make API calls. 
In the above example, we have used the getRecordById() integration task that retrieves the details of the deal. For instance, the Deal Name, Contact Name, Account Name, and so on.

Syntax:
<response>=zoho.crm.getRecordById(<module_name>, <record_ID>, <connections>);

Parameters:
Parameter
Description
response
The response with the list of records matching the criteria.
module_name
string, mandatory
The API name of the module you want to fetch the records from.
record_ID
string, mandatory
The unique ID of the record.
connections
string, optional
The connectors that are associated with the function.

Example:
potDetails = zoho.crm.getRecordById("Deals",potId.toLong());

Some of the other available integration tasks are:
To know more about integration tasks, click here.

4. Triggering functions

A function needs a trigger to get executed. You can trigger a function in two ways:
      4a. From Zoho CRM functionality
      4b. From third-party applications

Scenario:
Functions are primarily used to write custom business logic in Zoho CRM. Consider a scenario, where you want your sales representatives to create a quote after reviewing the deal. Instead of letting them create each quote manually, you can add a custom button in the Edit Deal page, which when clicked upon, triggers a function that creates a quote. 

Also, you can configure a third-party system to automatically create a quote in Zoho CRM when the deal amount is less than 1000 OR the deal stage is closed-won. Thus, avoiding manual intervention and enabling them to emphasise on substantial deals. 

Let us discuss how to trigger the DealToQuote() function via a custom button and a third-party application. You can also trigger the same function from a third-party application as a REST API webhook

4a. From Zoho CRM functionality (Custom Button)
  1. Go to Setup > Customization > Modules and Fields.
  2. From the List of Modules, select the required module.
  3. In the Links & Buttons tab, click Create New Button.
  4. In the Create Your Button page, do the following:
    1. Enter the name of the button. The button name should not exceed 30 characters.
    2. Click the Add Description link and specify the details of your custom button. The description should not exceed 250 characters.
    3. Choose the location of your custom button from the drop-down list.
    4. Custom buttons can be placed in 6 different places in your CRM account - Create/Clone page, Edit page, View page, List View page, a button to each record in the list view and Related Lists Page. Note that you can create up to 50 buttons for each module.
  5. Choose an action to be executed when a user clicks the custom button. You can either choose a predefined action from the gallery or the existing functions that were already created by the users in your organization. Also, define your own action by writing a custom function, open a new web tab or invoke a URL based on your needs. It is mandatory to choose the button action. In our case, From Existing Actions in Functions. Choose the function and click Configure.


6. Map the input values to the fields in that module and click Save.


Once the custom button is associated with an action, CRM Administrators can manage permissions by assigning only specific profiles to view and access the custom button.

Similarly, you can associate functions with SchedulesWorkflowsValidation Rules, and Related Lists.

To know more, click here.

4b. From third-party applications

Here, we are going to configure a third-party system to automatically create a quote in Zoho CRM when the deal amount is less than 1000 OR the deal stage is closed-won, thus avoiding manual intervention. 

To achieve this, we are going to trigger the DealToQuote() function from a third-party application (automate.io), whenever the above conditions are met. 



If you want to trigger a function from a third-party application, you must make it available as REST API. 

1. Go to SetupDeveloper SpaceFunctions
2. Choose the function > Click more options > Click REST API


3.Enter the API name for the function. 
4. Enable OAuth 2.0 to share the function as an API within your organization and enable API key to share the function as a webhook with any third-party user.
Click Save.


You must make the API call from the third-party application using the request URL received here.

The DealToQuote() function is triggered from a third-party application (automate.io). You can achieve the same using:
  • Zoho Flow
  • Zoho CRM workflow rule that is triggered whenever a deal is updated
Sample bot configuration in automate.io:


We have triggered the DealToQuote() function using custom button as well as a third-party application. 



5. Limits of Functions
Function calls in Zoho CRM are associated with credits. Each function call results in reduction of one credit from your account. 
Maximum credit limit based on your edition
Edition
Allowed Credits
Maximum credits that can be availed in a 24 hour window
Starter
5,000 credits + (Number of User licenses x 200)
10,000 credits
Standard
5,000 credits + (Number of User licenses x 200)
15,000 credits
Professional
5,000 credits + (Number of User licenses x 200)
20,000 credits
Enterprise/Zoho One/CRM Plus
20,000 credits + (Number of User licenses x 500)
1,00,000 credits
Ultimate
20,000 credits + (Number of User licenses X 1000)
2,00,000 credits

Limits based on properties of a function
Functionality
Description
Limits
Execution Time
Function should be executed within the specified time.
1 minute
Response Limit
Function should return the response within a particular size.
10 MB
Lines of execution
The number of lines in a function code has a limit.
200,000
Send Mail
The number of emails that you can using the send mail syntax has a limit.
1000 per day
Webhooks
GET and POST URLs
50,000 requests per day

For more tips, refer to function tips.

We hope you found this post useful. Stay tuned for more!

Cheers!

Previous 'Kaizen' - Node JS SDK
Next 'Kaizen' - Connections in Zoho CRM

    Access your files securely from anywhere

          Zoho Developer Community




                                    Zoho Desk Resources

                                    • Desk Community Learning Series


                                    • Digest


                                    • Functions


                                    • Meetups


                                    • Kbase


                                    • Resources


                                    • Glossary


                                    • Desk Marketplace


                                    • MVP Corner


                                    • Word of the Day



                                        Zoho Marketing Automation


                                                Manage your brands on social media



                                                      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

                                                                            • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                              CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                            • Kaizen

                                                                              Kaizen

                                                                            • Functions

                                                                              Functions

                                                                            • Meetups

                                                                              Meetups

                                                                            • Kbase

                                                                              Kbase

                                                                            • Resources

                                                                              Resources

                                                                            • Digest

                                                                              Digest

                                                                            • CRM Marketplace

                                                                              CRM Marketplace

                                                                            • MVP Corner

                                                                              MVP Corner





                                                                                Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                Get Started Now


                                                                                  Zoho Show Resources


                                                                                    Zoho Writer Writer

                                                                                    Get Started. Write Away!

                                                                                    Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                                                                                      Zoho CRM コンテンツ






                                                                                        Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


                                                                                            ご検討中の方





                                                                                                  • Recent Topics

                                                                                                  • Add multiple users to a task

                                                                                                    When I´m assigning a task it is almost always related to more than one person. Practical situation: When a client request some improvement the related department opens the task with the situation and people related to it as the client itself, the salesman
                                                                                                  • What is Attendee Status 0 and 1?

                                                                                                    Hi there, I recently stumbled upon the API to get the attendee list and in the return value, there is a parameter called "status", and 0 supposed to mean not_attending, and 1 means attending. I cannot find this representation anywhere in the attendee
                                                                                                  • ZOHO BackStage

                                                                                                    How to get list of events, using ZOHO BackStage APIs. Is it possible OR not?
                                                                                                  • How to Customize Task Creation to Send a Custom Alert Using JavaScript in Zoho CRM?

                                                                                                    Hello Zoho CRM Community, I’m looking to customize Zoho CRM to send a custom alert whenever a task is created. I understand that Zoho CRM supports client scripts using JavaScript, and I would like to leverage this feature to implement the alert functionality.
                                                                                                  • Zoho Meeting iOS app update - Join breakout rooms, access polls, paste links and join sessions, in session host controls

                                                                                                    Hello, everyone! In the latest iOS version(v1.7) of the Zoho Meeting app, we have brought in support for the following features: Polls in meeting session Join Breakout rooms Paste link in join meeting screen Foreign time zone in the meeting details screen.
                                                                                                  • Calculate hours between 2 date/time fields

                                                                                                    Hi, Does anyone know if it is possible to get the number of hours between 2 date/time fields in a zoho crm custom function? Thanks, Michael
                                                                                                  • External ID validation.

                                                                                                    I added an external ID field as below in one of my custom modules: When creating records via the API using some value (eg: 762115b2-097e-43b2-bdba-f3924a5371a6) for this field, it works without any problem. I can create and even see the records on the
                                                                                                  • CRM 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 files
                                                                                                  • Create a button that executes a customized function

                                                                                                    Hello, I have created a summary view in which I combine the data from my items table and suppliers table. I would like to know if there is the possibility of adding a button somewhere in the view to be able to execute a function when clicked on it. I
                                                                                                  • Custom field doesn't fill when converting sales order to invoice

                                                                                                    Hi, When I convert a Sales Order to an Invoice one of the custom fields on a product line names "Subsidie" does not seem to fill in automatically. I manually have to select the product again by clicking on the product name in the order line en re-select
                                                                                                  • Can I use ZOHO calendar to schedule a Youtube video that is already in my youtube account, but listed as private or unlisted?

                                                                                                    I am creating Youtube videos and shorts and then uploading them to our Channel so others can view and approve. Once approved I would like to just schedule them over the next few days within Zoho. So far it looks like I have to re-upload the video to Zoho
                                                                                                  • How to Display a Logo Image on a Public Form?

                                                                                                    I would like to display a logo image in the header of a form. To achieve this, I added an Add Notes field to the form. The code below works perfectly for Zoho users accessing the form. However, when the form is made public, the image does not load properly:
                                                                                                  • Advice for my first project in Zoho

                                                                                                    Hello, how can I design and implement a customized ERP and CRM system using Zoho to automate and manage core business functions, including customer relationship management, property inventory, sales tracking, and financial processes. This is one of my
                                                                                                  • Associate Email API Internal Error

                                                                                                    I am trying to associate an already existing email within a function using the Related Emails API. To provide more context, I also have admin permissions and have ensured that the fields are correct and that I have admin permissions when associating the
                                                                                                  • Profit on Sales order

                                                                                                    Hi, would it be possible to implement a column at the Sales order overview of Purchase amount? So a field with the amount of all purchase related to this Sales order? This is very usefull so you will see the profit you made on this deal. I tried to get
                                                                                                  • Subform Data in v2 REST API

                                                                                                    What is the mechanism for adding subform data in the Creator v2 REST APIs?  There is nothing documented in the Data APIs documentation (https://www.zoho.com/creator/help/api/v2/).   I was able to determine how to GET the subform data by adding it to the
                                                                                                  • Is the filename of an attachment restricted to only certain languages?

                                                                                                    Hi, I tried to create a file card in a notebook, but I encountered an issue: when the filename of an attachment is in languages other than the main ones (such as English, Japanese, or Simplified Chinese......), syncing stops or the filenames become garbled
                                                                                                  • How to create comparison time periods like these examples

                                                                                                    In a Pivot Report I would like to be able to select any date range and show a set of metrics for that date range e.g. revenue, orders, units sold. I would then like to be able to compare to the previous period based on the amount of days on the selected
                                                                                                  • Overwrite Option for custom modules

                                                                                                    Hi Team, I noticed that the overwrite option is unavailable in Zoho Books when importing data for custom modules. This limitation makes it challenging to bulk update old data, as the only option is the 'bulk update' feature, which is restricted to 25
                                                                                                  • Zoho Creator - Zoho Analytics

                                                                                                    I am facing an issue in Zoho Analytics where I am still seeing deleted data from the Zoho Creator form I created. Could you please look into this and let me know what needs to be done?
                                                                                                  • Unable to send emails

                                                                                                    I have this email parth@mrcolumbus.in, but I couldnt send outgoing email. Can you please help?
                                                                                                  • Notifications push : Encourager le réengagement et renforcer la fidélité des utilisateurs efficacement

                                                                                                    Vous avez déjà souhaité engager et communiquer de manière proactive avec les utilisateurs, y compris lorsqu'ils utilisent votre application de manière peu active ? Zoho Apptics vous offre déjà des fonctionnalités qui vous permettent d'évaluer la performance,
                                                                                                  • Easy way to delete attachments

                                                                                                    I've reached my data limit and would like to run a view/report, and mass delete attachments. Is there an easy, fast way to do this? Moderation Update: Post Summary: There are two features the post discusses a) Easy way to remove Email attachments Will
                                                                                                  • How to add new deal to existing contact

                                                                                                    Hi, I want to add new deal to existing contact.
                                                                                                  • Domain verification is in progress... (How long do I need to wait?)

                                                                                                    Trying to setup my first email domain by connecting with GoDaddy. Have been here for quite some time and the screen is not changing. How long should this take?Send DataSend Data
                                                                                                  • email address autocomplete

                                                                                                    Is there a way to eliminate certain addresses from showing up in auto complete when entering an address? Many old and unused addresses currently show up, many of which I would like to get rid of. Thanks
                                                                                                  • Linking an email to a Contact when the email is sent in deluge via sendmail

                                                                                                    The "to:" address in this code is a CRM Contact. Email address is forced unique in CRM This sendmail gets sent via a workflow which is in a custom module. It works, except that the outbound email does not appear (i.e, get linked to) the Contact such that
                                                                                                  • How to restore deleted Field

                                                                                                    I edited a field in zoho form and by accident I deleted a field (email address). The form is ongoing to be filled by respondent. Then, when I checked to the all entries and report, the email address is gone. I checked in audit log, there is a record that
                                                                                                  • How to select multiple notes at once in the PC client?

                                                                                                    In the PC client, you can select notes using ctr+LMB. But why can't you use shift+LMB? PC version 3.2.0
                                                                                                  • How I can add customized Invoice

                                                                                                    Hi, I wanna use a customized Invoice, how i can add that
                                                                                                  • Zoho Analytics Pivot Table - How to compare month vs last year same month

                                                                                                    Hi, I had created a pivot table with setup as below: Column: - Delivery Date Row: - Customer Group Data as column - Total amount (sum > normal) (show data of the month) - Total amount (sum > % difference from previous value) (compare between this month
                                                                                                  • Recorded imported goods

                                                                                                    I have imported some goods from a foreign vendor called ABC. to Bahrain. My Customs duty and VAT are paid by an agency called XYZ to authorities. I have paid the amounts to XYZ and they have paid to authorities in behalf of us using our TRN Number. Now
                                                                                                  • Notes created in mobile app not syncing with web notebook

                                                                                                    I have created certain notes in a new notebook in mobile app. The new notebook is also created using mobile app and when I logged in through web I am unable to see notebook that I have created using mobile app. there is no trace of notes in which i have created in mobile app on the web even after days of creating in mobile app This is not the case vise-a-versa. the notes and note book created on web are accessible on mobile app on real time.  this is very inconvenient and big demotivating factor
                                                                                                  • Match Transaction > Filter | Allow wildcards in search

                                                                                                    The Filter function is useful for narrowing down to a specific set of transactions. It would be useful to have the ability to use wildcards in search. e.g. customer name "starts with" or " * " as a placeholder. e.g. "National * " instead of "National
                                                                                                  • Marketing Automation Emails Going to Spam

                                                                                                    Google is trapping all the marketing automation emails in spam. My domain has a perfect reputation and it looks like Zoho has a low reputation which is sending it to spam. When I pull the email out of spam and click on a link in the email, I get this
                                                                                                  • Convert Request to Forum Topic

                                                                                                    I know you can convert a forum topic to a request and a request to a solution in the knowledge base, but how do you convert a request to a forum topic?  Is this possible?  If not is this a feature coming down the pipe in the near future? Thanks!
                                                                                                  • Zoho Sign / Prefill By You - Editable by Them!

                                                                                                    Zoho Sign seems to have two field options available - an empty field for signer(s) to complete or a field that has been prefilled by you, that becomes read only once sent.  What I would like is an option on the pre-filled by you fields, to leave them
                                                                                                  • Is the Contacts sync between Campaigns and CRM bi-directional?

                                                                                                    Is the Contacts sync between Campaigns and CRM bi-directional?
                                                                                                  • Task does not syncing to google calendar shedual

                                                                                                    Hi why does the tasks activities do not syncing with the google calendar like the event option does?
                                                                                                  • Bug with Zobot Human transfer

                                                                                                    I have configured the brand, the operator, and the Zobot in Spanish. However, no matter what I do, it always says "YES" instead of "Sí" or "Sure, why not " instead of "Claro, ¿por qué no?" when asking if the user wants to contact a human operator. The
                                                                                                  • Next Page