Kaizen #21 - Functions in Zoho CRM
Hello everyone!
Welcome back to another week in the Kaizen series!
What will you learn from this post?
- What are Functions in Zoho CRM?
- Creating a function
- Choosing a function category
- Function body
- Integration Tasks
- Triggering Functions
- From Zoho CRM functionalities
- From third-party applications
- 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.
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:
- zoho.crm.convertLead(): To convert a lead into a contact and and an account.
- zoho.crm.getRelatedRecords(): To get records related to a parent record. Example: The products associated with a deal.
- zoho.crm.updateRelatedRecords(): To update the records related to a parent record.
- zoho.crm.searchRecords(): To search for specific records by specifying the criteria for the search.
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)
- Go to Setup > Customization > Modules and Fields.
- From the List of Modules, select the required module.
- In the Links & Buttons tab, click Create New Button.
- In the Create Your Button page, do the following:
- Enter the name of the button. The button name should not exceed 30 characters.
- Click the Add Description link and specify the details of your custom button. The description should not exceed 250 characters.
- Choose the location of your custom button from the drop-down list.
- 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.
- 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 Schedules, Workflows, Validation Rules, and Related Lists.
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 Setup > Developer Space > Functions
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 |
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
Centralize Knowledge. Transform Learning.
All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.
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
Sneha Sridharan
Sticky Posts
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.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 are
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
landed cost-need help with different currency under the same bill
I’m having trouble recording landed costs in Zoho Inventory/Books. My purchase order is in CNY, but the landed cost (freight) I pay is in USD. Zoho forces everything under the same bill to use one currency, so I can’t enter the landed cost in its actualImproved Functionality PO Bill SO Invoice
Hello, I need to enter over 100 items, it's frustrating to scroll a few item rows and wait for more to load, then scroll again. It would be nice to have buttons that scroll to the top or bottom with one click. Furthermore, these items I'm adding are VATGenerate a link for Zoho Sign we can copy and use in a separate email
Please consider adding functionality that would all a user to copy a reminder link so that we can include it in a personalized email instead of sending a Zoho reminder. Or, allow us to customize the reminder email. Use Case: We have clients we need toI would like to request a new feature or setting for SalesIQ.
Hello Zoho Team, I would like to request a new feature or setting for SalesIQ. Currently, when a user opens our contact widget and clicks on the "Chat with us" option, it opens a standard chat window that remains empty until either the user types a messageIn Zoho inventory Converting sales return to cerdit note from using Api from Creator Error details: {"code":-1,"message":"Invalid Sales Return ID."}
In Zoho inventory Converting sales return to cerdit note from using Api from Creator Error details: {"code":-1,"message":"Invalid Sales Return ID."} this is button Function used in the Creator map Inventory.Create_Credit_note(int CRE_ID) { return_valueZia should track how customer relationships evolve over time
Here's a feature idea that I've been thinking about The Problem Zia is great at analyzing individual interactions email sentiment, call transcription, best time to contact. But here's what it can't do: tell you how a relationship has evolved over time.FSM integration with Books
Hi, I have spent a few months working with FSM and have come across a critical gap in the functionality, which I find almost shocking....either that, or I am an idiot. The lack of bi-directional sync between Books and FSM on Sales Orders/ Work OrdersHow to Track Inventory Usage from Zoho FSM to Zoho Inventory?
Hi everyone, We’re currently working on integrating Zoho FSM with Zoho Inventory, and we’ve encountered a challenge we’re hoping the community can help us understand better. Here’s the context: When we create a Work Order in Zoho FSM that involves partsSet Field Mandatory by Client Script ZOHO CRM
#Tips of the day We can set the field as mandatory by the client script var field_obj = ZDK.Page.getField('Custom_Field1'); field_obj.setMandatory(true); Custom_Field1 = Field API Name Apart from is if you have required any kind of Zoho work please doassociating products with accounts
I have all my accounts and products in zoho now. I need to generate a sales order for an account. The product lookup feature on the sales order shows no products...how can I get them to appear.Can we rely on order of returned ids when inserting multiple records?
Hello! API https://www.zoho.com/crm/developer/docs/api/v8/insert-records.html does not mention that the response array will match the input array*, keeping this important information implicit and someone might have doubts to rely on it. (*the responseNew UI for Writer - Disappointed
I've been enjoying Zoho Writer as a new user for about 6 months, and I really like it. One of my favorite things about it is the menu bar, which you can hide or leave out while still seeing most of your page because it is off to the left. I think thisZoho CRM Community Digest - February 2026 | Part 2
In this edition, we’re highlighting a few more product enhancements, along with some helpful community discussions that explore everyday CRM scenarios from automating reminders and managing lead outreach to making the most of APIs and client scripts.Dont want to list inactive items.
If an item is made inactive, there is no point in showing it in the item list. Please provide an option to hide all inactive items in 'Preferences'.Client Script event on any field of a Detail page
Hi everyone! I'd like to trigger a Client Script when a user modifies a field - any field - from the Account Details page, how can I do this? I don't want to trigger it on a specific field, but on all of them. Thanks in advance!Tip #66 - Exploring Technician Console: Network Statistics - 'Insider Insights'
Hello Zoho Assist Community! Have you ever wondered why a remote session feels sluggish, or wanted to check whether connectivity issues are on your end or the customer's? That's exactly where the Network Statistics feature in Zoho Assist comes to theREFUND REQUEST FOR PLAN SUBSCRIPTION CANCELLED
I have cancelled my Zoho Books subscription and would like to request a full refund for the subscription. Kindly process the refund at your earliest convenience.Sales IQ - Bot Builder - Forward to Operator Action Card Improvement
Hi team, It would be a great improvement to have an additional branch out of the Forward to Operator Action Card. I would like to allow 10 seconds for an operator to pick up the chat, if they don't or if they reject the chat I would like the Bot to continuepurchasing a pagkage
goodmorning i want to pay for my monthly package but your app is sayinng i have insufficient funds yet i loaded money on my account yesterday though in our currency of ugxEdit Receipt, how?
Do you notice the big blank space in Receipt? I want to remove that. I know there is a template but that blank space, I can't seem to remove it. Please help. Thank you!Can I export a TXF (TurboTax exchange format) file out of Zoho Books?
Hello, I'm trying to do my US Small Business Taxes using Intuit's Turbo Tax. Can I export my expenses from Zoho Books to a TXF format file, so that it can then be imported into Turbo Tax? Thanks, RajneshTax inclusive and exclusive for Sales invoices
Hello, where can I set my tax to be inclusive or exclusive for invoices in Zoho Books? There used to be a button for me to do that right above the products table. Can someone help me please? Thank you!Unable 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 createZOHO Reports are taking longer time to get refresh
Hi Team, Since last few days, I'm facing issues in getting updated reports. For eg: right after making an expense entry or even posting a journal, it is taking longer then expected for the updated reports. Refer below: "You are viewing the report thataudio and video comments in tasks in zoho projects
Hi, is it planned to have the ability to post audio and video comments? the whatsapp wechat format of communicating is a reality... tools like zoho project would facilitate a lot teamwork by facilitating the way in which we can give feedback in audio and video rather than only text. thx!Looking for Zoho + Twilio Automation Specialist (Duda Website Integration)
Hi everyone, I’m looking for an experienced Zoho specialist to help build a mostly automated CRM and booking system for my service business. I already have a live website built on Duda.co and need help integrating my existing forms into Zoho CRM (no rebuildHow To Implement an Auto-Check-out Feature for Attendance?
If an employee forgets to check out, the system should automatically check out the employee at 6:30 PMZoho CRM For Everyone UI Rollout Begins for All Users
Hello Partners, We have started rolling out the new Zoho CRM For Everyone UI as the default experience for all users. This update is being released in three phases based on organization size and account type. We want to keep you informed of the rolloutHow to retreive the "To be received" value of an Item displayed in Zoho inventory.
Hi everyone, We have our own Deluge code to generate a PO according to taget quantity and box quantity, pretty usefull and powerful! However, we want to reduce our quantity to order according to "To be received" variable. Seems like this might not evenIntroducing Explainer Videos for Zoho Desk: Solve everyday challenges with simple configurations
Dear everyone, We have created a set of short explainer videos that show how common support scenarios can be handled using simple configurations within the product. The solutions often lie in the plain sight, but go unnoticed. Through these videos weNotifications Feeds unread count?
How do I reset the unread count on feeds notifications? I've opened every notification in the list. And the count never goes to zero.Simple reliable solution to convert MSG files for AOL Mail?
A simple and reliable way to convert MSG files for AOL Mail is by using a professional tool MacGater Mac MSG Converter. This software allows users to quickly convert MSG files into formats compatible with AOL, such as MBOX or direct email migration. ItZoho One Support is non existent...
I've tried through Email, Chat, this community and finally through Phone. There is no way to receive an answer. Email = over a week and no answer Chat = not available Community = no answer at all Telephone = after clicking myself through the callcenterDisable Zoho Contacts
We don't want to use this app... How can we disable it?Custom module - change from autonumber to name
I fear I know the answer to this already, but thought I'd ask the question. I created a custom module and instead of having a name as being the primary field, I changed it to an auto-number. I didn't realise that all searches would only show this reference.Dynamic Questions in Zoho Forms
Is it possible to add dynamic questions (like displaying a user’s name) in Zoho Forms? I know this is possible in surveys, but can we implement similar functionality in Zoho Forms?Introducing Zoho MCP for Bigin
Hello Biginners! We're excited to introduce Zoho MCP for Bigin, a completely new way of interacting with Bigin data using AI. With Zoho MCP, you can securely connect your Bigin account with popular AI tools like Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code,[Action Required] : Update Shopify Access Scope to fetch complete order history
Hello Shopify Users! Shopify has updated the access scope for apps under developer portal. With this change, the read_orders scope now provides access only to the last 60 days of order history. To access older historical orders, Shopify requires a separateAdvance Payment Record Removed When Deleting Applied Credit from Bill
Hello, So while working with vendor advance payments, I noticed that removing the applied credit from a bill also removes the corresponding entry from the Payments Made section. What I did : Recorded an advance payment to a vendor through Payments Made.How to Connect Zoho Books with e-Way Bill Portal (Step-by-Step Guide)
Integrating Zoho Books with the e-Way Bill portal helps automate your logistics and compliance process. Follow the steps below to set it up easily: 🚀 How to Connect Zoho Books with e-Way Bill Portal (Step-by-Step Guide) Integrating Zoho Books with theNext Page