Kaizen #40 - System-defined fields and their default values in Leads #API

Kaizen #40 - System-defined fields and their default values in Leads #API

Hello everyone!

Welcome back to another post in the Kaizen series!
This week, we will discuss the system-defined fields and their default values in the Leads module in Zoho CRM.

We will cover the following in this post:
  1. System-defined non-mandatory fields and their default values
  2. System-defined mandatory fields

What are the system-defined fields in a module?
The fields that are available by default in a module, are system-defined fields. You can choose to set values to these fields, or the system assigns the default value for applicable fields.

How can you find which fields are system-defined?
Use the Fields Metadata API. The response contains all the fields available in that module for your org.
The boolean value of the key custom_field indicates whether the field is system-defined or a custom field in that module. The value "true" indicates that the current field is a custom field, and the value "false" indicates that the current field is a system-defined field.

System-defined mandatory fields
Few system-defined fields are mandatory. If left unspecified, the system throws the MANDATORY_NOT_FOUND error.
The boolean value of the key system_mandatory indicates whether the field is mandatory in that module. The value "true" indicates that the current field is a system-defined mandatory field, and the value "false" indicates that the current field is not a system-defined mandatory field.

Note
We cannot modify the properties of a few system-defined fields. Ex: Last_Name in Leads.

Fields Metadata API for the Leads Module

Sample Request
Request URL: {{api-domain}}/crm/v2/settings/fields?module=Leads
Request Method: GET

Sample Response
{
    "fields": [
        {
            "system_mandatory": false,
            "webhook": true,
            "json_type": "jsonobject",
            "crypt": null,
            "field_label": "Lead Owner",
            "tooltip": null,
            "created_source": "default",
            "field_read_only": true,
            "display_label": "Lead Owner",
            "read_only": false,
            "association_details": null,
            "businesscard_supported": true,
            "multi_module_lookup": {},
            "currency": {},
            "id": "949200000000000553",
            "custom_field": false,
            "lookup": {},
            "visible": true,
            "length": 120,
            "view_type": {
                "view": true,
                "edit": true,
                "quick_create": false,
                "create": true
            },
            "subform": null,
            "api_name": "Owner",
            "unique": {},
            "data_type": "ownerlookup",
            "formula": {},
            "decimal_place": null,
            "mass_update": false,
            "multiselectlookup": {},
            "pick_list_values": [],
            "auto_number": {}
        },
        {
            "system_mandatory": false,
            "webhook": true,
            "json_type": "string",
            "crypt": null,
            "field_label": "Company",
            "tooltip": null,
            "created_source": "default",
            "field_read_only": false,
            "display_label": "Company",
            "read_only": false,
            "association_details": null,
            "quick_sequence_number": "1",
            "businesscard_supported": false,
            "multi_module_lookup": {},
            "currency": {},
            "id": "949200000000000555",
            "custom_field": false,
            "lookup": {},
            "visible": true,
            "length": 100,
            "view_type": {
                "view": true,
                "edit": true,
                "quick_create": true,
                "create": true
            },
            "subform": null,
            "api_name": "Company",
            "unique": {},
            "data_type": "text",
            "formula": {},
            "decimal_place": null,
            "mass_update": true,
            "multiselectlookup": {},
            "pick_list_values": [],
            "auto_number": {}
        },
        {
            "system_mandatory": true,
            "webhook": true,
            "json_type": "string",
            "crypt": null,
            "field_label": "Last Name",
            "tooltip": null,
            "created_source": "default",
            "field_read_only": false,
            "display_label": "Last Name",
            "read_only": false,
            "association_details": null,
            "quick_sequence_number": "3",
            "businesscard_supported": false,
            "multi_module_lookup": {},
            "currency": {},
            "id": "949200000000000559",
            "custom_field": false,
            "lookup": {},
            "visible": true,
            "length": 80,
            "view_type": {
                "view": false,
                "edit": true,
                "quick_create": true,
                "create": true
            },
            "subform": null,
            "api_name": "Last_Name",
            "unique": {},
            "data_type": "text",
            "formula": {},
            "decimal_place": null,
            "mass_update": false,
            "multiselectlookup": {},
            "pick_list_values": [],
            "auto_number": {}
        },
        {
            "system_mandatory": false,
            "private": null,
            "webhook": true,
            "json_type": "jsonobject",
            "crypt": null,
            "field_label": "Related Users",
            "tooltip": null,
            "created_source": "default",
            "field_read_only": false,
            "display_label": "User",
            "read_only": false,
            "association_details": null,
            "businesscard_supported": false,
            "multi_module_lookup": {},
            "currency": {},
            "id": "4150868000000625001",
            "custom_field": true,
            "lookup": {},
            "visible": true,
            "length": 50,
            "view_type": {
                "view": true,
                "edit": true,
                "quick_create": false,
                "create": true
            },
            "subform": null,
            "api_name": "User",
            "unique": {},
            "data_type": "userlookup",
            "formula": {},
            "decimal_place": null,
            "mass_update": false,
            "multiselectlookup": {},
            "pick_list_values": [],
            "auto_number": {}
        },
...
]
}

System-defined non-mandatory fields and their default values
The following table gives the list of all the system-defined non-mandatory fields in the Standard Layout of the Leads module.

Field API Name
JSON Type
CRM Data Type
Default Value
Owner
JSON Object
Lookup
Name and ID of the current user
Company
String
Single Line
null
First_Name
String
Single Line
null
Salutation
String
Picklist
None
Email
String
Email
null
Full_Name
String
--
null
Phone
String
Phone
null
Mobile
String
Phone
null
Designation
String
Text
null
Lead_Status
String
Picklist
null
Fax
String
Phone
null
Website
String
URL
null
Lead_Source
String
Picklist
null
No_of_Employees
Integer
Number
null
Industry_Type
String
Picklist
null
Rating
String
Picklist
None
Tag
JSON Array
--
null
Annual_Revenue
Double
Currency
null
Created_By (not editable)
JSON Object
--
Name and ID of the current user
Email_Opt_Out
Boolean
Checkbox
false
Skype_ID
String
Single Line
null
Modified_By
(not editable)
JSON Object
--
Name and ID of the user who last modified the record last
Created_Time
(not editable)
String
--
The date and time at which the record was created
Secondary_Email
String
Email
null
Modified_Time
(not editable)
String
--
The date and time at which the record was last modified
Twitter
String
Single Line
null
Last_Activity_Time
(not editable)
String
--
The date and time at which the record was used last
Converted_Date_Time
String
--
The date and time at which the lead or quote was converted
Street, City, State, Zip_Code, Country
String
Single Line
null
Description
String
Multi-line
null
Record_Image
String
--
null
You can refer to the Sample Attributes section of our Insert Records API for an example on adding values to the above fields.

System-defined mandatory field for the Leads module:
Field API Name
JSON Type
CRM Data Type
Default Value
Last_Name
String
Single Line
Not applicable

Note
  • In the Fields Metadata API, the value true for the key "field_read_only" indicates that it is read-only always.
  • The value true for the key "read_only" indicates that the key is read-only for the viewing user's profile. You can set the properties of such fields based on the profile. A user without the desired profile cannot edit these fields through an API.
  • You cannot modify the properties of system-defined mandatory fields in any module.
  • You can choose to alter the properties of the system-defined(non-mandatory) or custom fields in standard/custom layouts. The details of all the fields in all the layouts will be retrieved in the fields metadata API response.
  • You can also choose to set default values for fields with CRM field types—picklist, multi-select picklist, and checkbox.
We hope you found this post useful. Write to us at support@zohocrm.com if you have any questions, or let us know in the comment section.

Cheers!

Previous 'Kaizen' - Deals #API

    Access your files securely from anywhere









                          Zoho Developer Community




                                                • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                • Digest


                                                • Functions


                                                • Meetups


                                                • Kbase


                                                • Resources


                                                • Glossary


                                                • Desk Marketplace


                                                • MVP Corner


                                                • Word of the Day


                                                • Ask the Experts





                                                          Manage your brands on social media



                                                                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

                                                                                    • 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

                                                                                            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

                                                                                                          • Payments made notification

                                                                                                            This is a really wonderful feature but we can only use it for about 50% of payments made & have to revert to sending statements which is a real chore. Credits applied to the bills paid in the notification aren't included & this causes great confusion in the accounts receivable departments. Please, please add this required feature asap ! .....
                                                                                                          • Ability to add VAT to Retainer Invoices

                                                                                                            Hello, I've had a telephone conversation a month ago with Dinesh on this topic and my request to allow for the addition of VAT on Retainer Invoices.  It's currently not possible to add VAT to Retainer Invoices and it was mutually agreed that there is absolutely no reason why there shouldn't be, especially as TAX LAW makes VAT mandatory on each invoice in Europe!   So basically, what i'm saying is that if you don't allow us to add VAT to Retainer Invoices, than the whole Retainer Invoices becomes
                                                                                                          • ZOHO DESK link with Power BI

                                                                                                            HI, I am using ZOHO Desk for last two years and now my client is asking to integrate ZOHO desk data to Power BI so that they can use Data for reporting. Kindly guide in details so that i can give access to ZOHO desk export data for more visibility.
                                                                                                          • URLs being masked despite disabling tracking

                                                                                                            Hey, We had disabled click tracking from an email update we are sharing with our users. Despite this, the URL the end user is receiving is masked, and looks like "https://qksyl-cmpzourl.maillist-manage.net/click/1d8e72714515cda6/1d8e72714515ca70" instead
                                                                                                          • Zoho CRM - Calendar Cards View - Let Users Decide What Is Displayed On Calendar Entries

                                                                                                            Imagine planning your week of face-to-face meetings across three counties. You’re trying to group appointments by location to make the best use of your time, but Zoho CRM’s calendar doesn’t show where each meeting is happening. You’re left trying to remember
                                                                                                          • Dashboard Autorefesh

                                                                                                            Good day, I am a dashboard that displays the number of tickets based on "Product Name". This dashboard is displayed on a big TV for the team to monitor. Can the dashboard auto-refresh every few minutes to display the new values? Currently, we have closed
                                                                                                          • Deferred/ Unearned revenue

                                                                                                            Dear Zoho Team, Just in case you have missed out my query posted few days ago: We issue invoices relating to 12-month web hosting service. When we issue the invoice, we should record the entire amount of the invoice as DEFERRED/UNEARNED REVENUE (ie. $10
                                                                                                          • Report Hover Setting

                                                                                                            Would be great if we will able to show information to the user while hovering a record in a report.
                                                                                                          • Bigin Android app update: Zoho Books integration

                                                                                                            Hello everyone! We’re excited to introduce Zoho Books integration on the latest version(v1.8.5) Bigin Android app. Once the integration is completed in the web(bigin.zoho.com), the Zoho Books tab will be visible in detail View of Contacts, Companies,
                                                                                                          • Audit Log enhancements: Increased retention period, better user visibility, and more

                                                                                                            Hello everyone, The Audit Log brings in the following enhancements which improve the overall ability to manage data. Why did we make these updates? Extended Data Retention: Audit data can now be filtered and exported for a 60-day period, doubling the
                                                                                                          • Question Regarding Managing Sale Items in Zoho Books

                                                                                                            Good day, I was wondering about something. Right now, Zoho Books doesn’t seem to have a way to flag certain items as being on sale. For example, if I want a list of specific items to be on sale from October 1 to October 12, the user would have to export
                                                                                                          • [WEBINAR] Smooth year-end closure with Zoho Books (KENYA)

                                                                                                            Hello there, This webinar is for all Kenyan businesses looking to wrap up their financial year smoothly! Join our free session to learn how Zoho Books can simplify your year-end process. What to expect from this webinar: - All the latest updates in Zoho
                                                                                                          • System flaws and lack of response from Zoho

                                                                                                            I have had to go on here as no-one is replying to my emails regarding my problem (been 10 days and no email reply) and your chat facility online through your Zoho Books software opens and closes immediately, so not functioning properly. I actually called
                                                                                                          • Customer Grouping

                                                                                                            Hi, how can I group multiple customers into single group. So that I can have idea of accounts receivables of all the customers in single group. Like if there are multiple subsidiaries of same company we have having a business with, and want to view the
                                                                                                          • Two currencies

                                                                                                            More and more I am finding that internattional payments' fees are unpredictable. I would like, on my invoices that are in a foreign currency (eg. USD$ or EUR€) for there to be a GBP£ TOTAL display alongside the invoice's currency total. This would make
                                                                                                          • Zoho Books | Product updates | September 2025

                                                                                                            Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From PayNow payment method to applying journal credits to invoices and bills in other locations, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Integrate
                                                                                                          • GST Slabs Redefined: Stay Compliant Using Zoho Books!

                                                                                                            Hello Everyone! The Government of India is rolling out new GST rates, a major reform aimed at simplifying the current tax structure starting 22 September 2025. GST will move from four slabs (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%) to two main slabs (5% and 18%), plus a special
                                                                                                          • Zoho Books | Product updates | October 2025

                                                                                                            Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From iOS 26 updates to viewing reports as charts, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Zoho Books Updates for Apple Devices At WWDC 2025, Apple
                                                                                                          • Need Inactive accounts to be visible in Reports in Zoho Books

                                                                                                            I N=need Inactive accounts to be visible in Reports in Zoho Books to do recons of the accounts but when i see the same they are not visible in the Accountant - Account Transactions report
                                                                                                          • Edit item custom fields

                                                                                                            Getting this error : Transactions have been created with the custom field. Hence it cannot be deleted. Not trying to delete it, just trying to change which modules to show in or to not show at all in transactions !
                                                                                                          • Zoho Books - How to Invoke a Custom Function in Schedulers

                                                                                                            We have multiple schedulers that send emails to customers in batches. Currently, we are maintaining the same code across several schedulers. Is it possible to use a custom function inside a scheduler script? If yes, how can we invoke the custom function
                                                                                                          • Use Zoho Books to bill for work done in Zoho Desk??

                                                                                                            I'm trying to see if something is possible (and if yes, how). We use Zoho One to manage our business. We have a lot of clients that will put in a ticket (via portal) to have work done. Out techs will pick up the ticket, do the work, and then log the time
                                                                                                          • Zoho Finance Suite - Customer Custom Tabs - Dynamic Link

                                                                                                            Hi Finance Suite team, When creating a Custom Tab for a Client Portal, there is no option to add dynamic parameters. This would be very helpful for adding Zoho Analytics dashboards which can be dynamically filtered through the URL to only show information
                                                                                                          • Modular Permission Levels

                                                                                                            We need more modular Permissions per module in Books we have 2 use cases that are creating problems We need per module export permission we have a use case where users should be able to view the sales orders but not export it, but they can export other
                                                                                                          • Blueprint or Validation Rules for Invoices in Zoho Books

                                                                                                            Can I implement Blueprint or Validation Rules for Invoices in Zoho Books? Example, use case could be, Agent confirms from client that payment is done, but bank only syncs transactions tomorrow. in this case, Agent can update invoice status to done, and
                                                                                                          • Feature Enhancement Request – Text Formatting Options in Item Description (Zoho Books/Quotes Module)

                                                                                                            Dear Zoho Development Team, Greetings from Radiant360 Integrated Technical Services LLC. We would like to bring to your attention a functional limitation we've encountered within the Item Table / Quote Description section of Zoho Books (and Zoho CRM Quotes).
                                                                                                          • Add Option to Mass Dispatch by User

                                                                                                            Hello! We are using the dispatch console to dispatch service appointments to our service ressources. Right now, the process is our dispatcher verifies each ressource's route for the day and dispatches it after validation. Sadly, there doesn't seem to
                                                                                                          • Bank Receipt Catagorization

                                                                                                            Hi, how can I match a bank deposit to multiple customer's invoices ? For e.g. A single person paid to us on behalf of different five customers. I need to keep the separated invoices for each customer
                                                                                                          • Per Level Approval for admins

                                                                                                            We need Process admins like Zoho CRM in Zoho Books for per stage approval Currently in books, admins only have the option for Final Approval But for example, in cases like when an employee is on leave, we can't just approval one level we only have option
                                                                                                          • Payment on a past due balance

                                                                                                            Scenario: Customer is past due on their account for 4 months. We suspend their billing in Zoho books. Customer finally logs into the portal and enters a new credit card. We associate that cardwith their subscription, which will permit the card to be used
                                                                                                          • How to export all line-item descriptions for a specific item in Zoho Books?

                                                                                                            I am trying to audit a specific item (“Item X”) that has been invoiced multiple times with different line-level descriptions. Here’s the situation: I am using Zoho Books (Professional). Each invoice may contain the same item but with different descriptions
                                                                                                          • List of hidden features

                                                                                                            Hi Friends, I had another support chat today and low and behold the feature that I wanted just simply needed to be "enabled". I thought I'd share, and maybe see if others had some similar experiences. 1. This one is from 5 ish years ago. I asked if there
                                                                                                          • How to change a BAS that has been filed

                                                                                                            I have discovered that a group of expense transactions were accidentally placed in a asset account rather than an expense account. As a result I need to adjust the transaction and consequently most of my BAS to correct the error. Because the BAS have
                                                                                                          • How to Export PDF with a custom Template

                                                                                                            I need to export Sales Order with a Custom Template I have created How can I do it? I see an API to export the PDF but how can I choose which template to choose to generate the PDF
                                                                                                          • Associate email with a potential or project.

                                                                                                            I have a pivotal requirement to associate emails from various suppliers (contacts) with different potentials or projects, on an email by email basis as they come in. This question appears to have been raised before but I cannot find a definitive yes "it can be done". Could anyone please tell me, yes or no.  If the later I can stop wasting time and look at alternative crm systems. I would love not to have to do this. Thanks in advance.
                                                                                                          • MTA - BAD IP reputation by outlook/hotmail

                                                                                                            Messages to Microsoft email servers are bouncing back due to poor reputation. Message: 4.7.650 The mail server [136.143.188.206] has been temporarily rate limited due to IP reputation. For e-mail delivery information see https://postmaster.live.com (S775)
                                                                                                          • Function with Search Records was working until a few weeks ago, around when "Connected Records" was released

                                                                                                            I have a custom function that has been running for nearly a year now, which suddenly stopped working around the time Zoho released the "Connected Records" update. The function is no longer finding the record using the searchRecords function. I've changed
                                                                                                          • Is CRM On Premise available

                                                                                                            Hi Zoho team, Can you please let me know that CRM Zoho is available for On Premise as well? Thanks, Devashish
                                                                                                          • How to sync from Zoho Projects into an existing Sprint in Zoho Sprints?

                                                                                                            Hi I have managed to integrate Zoho Projects with Zoho Sprints and I can see that the integration works as a project was created in Zoho Sprints. But, what I would like to do is to sync into an existing Zoho Sprints project. Is there a way to make that
                                                                                                          • Online Assessment or any aptitude test

                                                                                                            This video is really helpful! I have one question — if I share an assessment form link (through email or with the application form on my career page), how does Zoho Recruit evaluate it? Can a candidate use Google or external help while taking the test,
                                                                                                          • Next Page