Upcoming Updates - May-June 2022

Upcoming Updates - May-June 2022

Hi all,

Greetings from the Zoho Creator team! We're looking forward to delivering on all the exciting updates we previously announced for you. In this update, we'll be going over:

  • Revising developer permissions
  • API limitations on workflow looping
  • Standardizing link names of subfields in composite fields
  • Introducing the Select All option for choices and records in mobile apps
Apart from this, we're working on delivering the following by the end of this month:

  • Introducing ManageEngine AppCreator
  • Migration of users and permissions from C4 to C5
Developer permissions

Previously, when you (the admin) shared apps with developers, they were able to create lookup fields that look up data from other apps (that were not shared with the developer). From now, to ensure data privacy and security for Creator apps, the developers with whom you have shared apps, will no longer have access to such lookup fields in the shared app. In other words, the developer will not be able to add lookup fields from other unshared apps. They can continue to use the lookup fields added by the admin in live mode, but cannot make changes to its field properties. This gives you control over what you can share, and prevents unintended exposure of information.
Also, the developer will not be able to perform the following actions when the shared app contains lookup fields that look up data from other unshared apps:
  • Duplicating a form
  • Back up and restore
  • Import a .ds file
  • Publish an app from Sandbox 
To enable the developers to edit such lookup fields, you can perform these actions in your scope or share the other apps with the developer. 

API limitations on workflow looping

We've recently identified that a particular usage of API requests leads to a cyclical looping of workflow actions, which in turn leads to performance issues. This post is going to explain both the problem and the solutions we've come up with for it.

Problem scenarios
You can create a workflow with an API request On Load, On User Input, On Validate, and On Success (Add/Update) of a form. It's been observed that some users tend to incorrectly use API calls to add data in the same form or other forms in the same application. This causes a chain of workflows allowing API calls to be repeatedly used in the same manner, creating a loop. 

Let's assume Form A triggers a workflow and uses an API call on successful form submission to add another record to the same form. This cycle continues, allowing the workflow to run repeatedly in a loop, with data getting added to the same form endlessly. 


Similarly, there are two related forms—Form A and Form B. On successful submission of Form A, an API call is used to add a record in Form B, which in turn hits another API call, submitting another record in Form A and continuing the same pattern, adding records in both the forms over and over again. Both these scenarios prove that they lead to an endless loop of workflows.

This pattern is observed in applications with requirement for repetition of the same action or when multiple actions need to be executed in a sequence.

Limiting API calls
As a measure to stop this looping and avoid the subsequent performance dip, we're limiting the API calls that can be triggered in a workflow action.
Going forward, the following behaviour can be observed:
  • Same form: Workflow execution will be limited to one loop, for actions that add records to the same form. That is, the workflow will only be triggered once.
  • Related forms: Workflow execution will be limited to three loops for actions that add records to other forms. That is, the workflow will be triggered thrice, allowing records to be added in three forms, after which it will cease to trigger.
Alternative options
For repetitive workflows actions, or if there is a need for multiple actions, users should create functions and use them wherever required. This will avoid the need for unnecessary API requests. 

If this doesn't meet your requirement, please write to us at support@zohocreator.com. We will assess your requirement and find suitable alternatives.

Composite fields: Link names of subfields 

Currently, the link names of the subfields of composite fields, such as name and address, get appended with an incrementing number as we keep adding multiple fields of the same type in a form. For example, if you've added two address fields in the same form, then the link names for the subfields of the second field will be address_line_12, address_line_22, and so on.

We are now fixing this, such that the link names remain the same for all the subfields, irrespective of the number of fields of the same type. In other words, if you have more than one address field in the same form, then the link names for the subfields of the remaining address fields will be address_line_1, address_line_2, and so on. This fix is aimed at improving the readability and subsequent usage of the link names of such fields. 

Note:
  • DC migration will be done from our end to update the subfields' link names and we will keep you updated about the same (migration date and its status).
  • Common link names will be used for the subfields of any newly added composite field and also for new Creator signups.
We request users who have used custom link names to make note of the following changes:
  • After migration, API requests that contain custom link names for subfields will not work. Instead, you can use their common link names. If you're using Creator Meta APIs to get the subfield link names, then the link name will be automatically changed once the migration is completed.
  • If you've used custom link names for subfields anywhere in your app (manually), they won't work post-migration. In such cases, the custom link name should be replaced with the common link name. For example, consider the below cases: 
    •  Using a composite subfield as a query param in:
      • Form access URL
      • Redirect to (website URL)
      • OpenURL (Deluge)
    • Using a composite subfield in ZML snippets: The existing ZML snippet component will break, since we don't process a ZML snippet unless it is accessed through live.

Select All option for choices and records in mobile apps

You can now select and deselect all the options in a report using the Select All option in the following cases:
  • To select all the choices in multi select fields
  • To select all records in a report
This option will be available in the following components:

Forms
You can simultaneously select all the choices listed in the bottom slider using the Select All option. This option is supported in the following fields:
  • Multi select
  • Checkbox
  • Lookup as multi select (can select the loaded records)
  • Lookup as checkbox (can select the loaded records)


Reports
When performing bulk actions on records, you can select a maximum of 1,000 records that are displayed in the current report using the Select All option. You can also deselect them by clicking the Deselect All option.


AppCreator - ManageEngine

AppCreator is an application-building platform based on the principles of LCAD (low-code application development). It enables developers to build powerful, custom applications rapidly and launch them on the premises of your organization, rather than at a remote facility (such as cloud). You have complete control over your data as well as the infrastructural set up. Data stays in your private network (intranet), nobody other than your organization's users has access to the information. 

AppCreator, with its set of feature-rich low-code tools, helps improve the throughput of IT app development teams—requiring fewer resources for projects and taking up to one-tenth less time than when using traditional methods. This product also empowers IT teams to collaborate, develop, deploy, and maintain applications and workflows while meeting data residency, security, and compliance needs. 

These low-code applications encourage citizen developers in their organizations to build robust apps with less code. This helps IT teams focus on business-critical projects while citizen developers create lighter business apps—all the while providing IT teams with the power to administer how the platform is used inside the organization. This will also help in improving tech adoption at organizations, thereby increasing business-IT synergy.
Here's a presentation that outlines the key benefits and features of the platform.

When will AppCreator be available?
We plan to launch AppCreator towards the beginning of June 2022, and we will keep you updated as we move forward.
Here's to kicking off a low-code revolution among ME users in 2022!

Migration of users and permissions from C4 to C5

Last year, we made an announcement regarding the final step of the C5 upgrade process in this post. The final step of this migration will now happen for upgrading the Sharing module (profiles in C4) to the latest version (C5). This upgrade applies to users who are currently using old sharing in C5 and have not yet upgraded to the new sharing. This process will be available in the upcoming weeks and you will be notified via email prior to the migration. You (the admin/developer) of each application has to follow a minimal-step process in order to confirm the upgrade after viewing the preview of each auto-generated permissions set corresponding to the old sharing profiles.
Once all the applications' sharing is upgraded, all the permissions and other configurations for Users and Customer Portal will be upgraded to C5, and the entire upgrade to C5 is now complete. This process will be available in the upcoming weeks and you will be notified via email prior to the migration. 

That's all for now!

Thanks,
The Zoho Creator team.



    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

                                                                                                              • Automation #7 - Auto-update Email Content to a Ticket

                                                                                                                This is a monthly series where we pick some common use cases that have been either discussed or most asked about in our community and explain how they can be achieved using one of the automation capabilities in Zoho Desk. Email is one of the most commonly
                                                                                                              • Learner transcript Challenges.

                                                                                                                Currently i am working on a Learner Transcript app for my employer using Zoho Creator. The app is expected to accept assessment inputs from tutors, go through an approval process and upon call up, displays all assessments associated with a learner in
                                                                                                              • Client and Vendor Portal

                                                                                                                Some clients like keeping tabs on the developments and hence would like to be notified of the progress. Continuous updates can be tedious and time-consuming. Zoho Sprints has now introduced a Client and Vendor Portal where you can add client users and
                                                                                                              • #7 Tip of the week: Delegating approvals in Zoho People

                                                                                                                With Zoho People, absences need not keep employees waiting with their approval requests. When you are not available at work, you can delegate approvals that come your way to your fellow workmate and let them take care of your approvals temporarily. Learn more!
                                                                                                              • Trouble with using Apostrophe in Name of Customers and Vendors

                                                                                                                We have had an ongoing issue with how the system recognizes an apostrophe in the name of customers and vendors. The search will not return any results for a name that includes the mark; ie one of our vendors names is "L'Heritage" and when entering the
                                                                                                              • Why am I seeing deleted records in Zoho Analytics syncing with Zoho CRM?

                                                                                                                I have done a data sync between Zoho CRM and Zoho Analytics, and the recycle bin is empty. Why do I see deleted leads/deals/contacts in Zoho Analytics if it doesn't exist in Zoho CRM? How can I solve this problem? Thanks
                                                                                                              • Nueva edición de "Ask The Expert" en Español Zoho Community

                                                                                                                ¡Hola Comunidad! ¿Te gustaría obtener respuestas en directo sobre Zoho CRM, Zoho Desk u otra solución dentro de nuestro paquete de CX (Experiencia del Cliente? Uno de nuestros expertos estará disponible para responder a todas tus preguntas durante nuestra
                                                                                                              • How to use MAIL without Dashboard?

                                                                                                                Whenever I open Mail, it opens Dashboard. This makes Mail area very small and also I cannot manage Folders (like delete/rename) etc. I want to know if there is any way to open only Mail apps and not the Dashboard.
                                                                                                              • Peppol: Accept Bill (Belgium)

                                                                                                                Hi, This topic might help you if you're facing the same in Belgium. We are facing an issue while accepting a supplier bill received by Peppol in Zoho Books. There is a popup with an error message: This bill acceptance could not be completed, so it was
                                                                                                              • Zoho Books is now integrated with Zoho Checkout

                                                                                                                Hello everyone,   We're glad to be announcing that Zoho Books is now integrated with Zoho Checkout. With this integration, you can now handle taxes and accounting on your payment pages with ease.   An organization you create in Zoho Checkout can be added to Zoho Books and vice-versa. Some of the key features and benefits you will receive are:   Seamless sync of customer and invoice data With the end-to-end integration, the customer and invoice details recorded via the payment pages from Zoho Checkout
                                                                                                              • Sync Issue

                                                                                                                My Current plan only allows me with 10,000 rows and it is getting sync failure how to control it without upgrading my plan
                                                                                                              • Is there API Doc for Zoho Survey?

                                                                                                                Hi everyone, Is there API doc for Zoho Survey? Currently evaluating a solution - use case to automate survey administration especially for internal use. But after a brief search, I couldn't find API doc for this. So I thought I should ask here. Than
                                                                                                              • Add Zoho PDF to Zoho One Tool Applications

                                                                                                                It should be easy to add from here without the hassle of creating a web tab:
                                                                                                              • JOB WISE INVOICE PROCESS

                                                                                                                I WANT TO ENABLE JOB WISE TRACKING OF ALL SALES AND PURCHASE
                                                                                                              • PDF Template have QTY as first column

                                                                                                                I want to have the QTY of an item on the sales orders and invoices to be the first column, then description, then pricing. Is there a way to change the order? I went to the Items tab in settings but don't see how to change the order of the columns on
                                                                                                              • RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) Type Q+A Environment with Zoho Learn

                                                                                                                Hi All, Given the ability of Zoho Learn to function as a knowledge base / document repository type solution and given the rapid advancements that Zoho is making with Zia LLM, agentic capabilities etc. (not to mention the rapid progress in the broader
                                                                                                              • Welcome to the Zoho ERP Community Forum

                                                                                                                Hello everyone, We are thrilled to launch Zoho ERP (India edition), a software to manage your business operations from end to end. We’ve created this community forum as a space for you to ask questions, comment answers, provide feedback, and share your
                                                                                                              • In App Auto Refresh/Update Features

                                                                                                                Hi,    I am trying to use Zoho Creator for Restaurant management. While using the android apps, I reliased the apps would not auto refresh if there is new entries i.e new kitchen order ticket (KOT) from other users.   The apps does received notification but would not auto refresh, users required to refresh the apps manually in order to see the new KOT in the apps.    I am wondering why this features is not implemented? Or is this feature being considered to be implemented in the future? With the
                                                                                                              • Consolidated report for multi-organisation

                                                                                                                I'm hoping to see this feature to be available but couldn't locate in anywhere in the trial version. Is this supported? The main aim to go to ERP is to have visibility of the multi-organisation in once place. I'm hopeful for this.
                                                                                                              • IMAP mail after specify date

                                                                                                                Hi My customer's mail server is on premise and mail storage is very huge. So It never finish sync. and finally stop sync. Cloud CRM have a option like zoho mail sync mail after some date.
                                                                                                              • Analytics <-> Invoice Connection DELETED by Zoho

                                                                                                                Hi All, I am reaching out today because of a big issue we have at the moment with Zoho Analytics and Zoho Invoice. Our organization relies on Zoho Analytics for most of our reporting (operationnal teams). A few days ago we observed a sync issue with the
                                                                                                              • Claude + MCP Server + Zoho CRM Integration – AI-Powered Sales Automation

                                                                                                                Hello Zoho Community 👋 I’m excited to share a recent integration we’ve worked on at OfficehubTech: ✅ Claude + MCP Server + Zoho CRM This integration connects Zoho CRM with Claude AI through our custom MCP Server, enabling intelligent AI-driven responses
                                                                                                              • Notes badge as a quick action in the list view

                                                                                                                Hello all, We are introducing the Notes badge in the list view of all modules as a quick action you can perform for each record, in addition to the existing Activity badge. With this enhancement, users will have quick visibility into the notes associated
                                                                                                              • Search Bar positioning

                                                                                                                Why is the Search bar on the far right when everything is oriented towards the left?
                                                                                                              • Basic Mass Update deluge schedule not working

                                                                                                                I'm trying to create a schedule that will 'reset' a single field to 0 every morning - so that another schedule can repopulate with the day's calculation. I thought this would be fairly simple but I can't work out why this is failing : 1) I'm based in
                                                                                                              • The Social Playbook - January edition: Getting started with content creation

                                                                                                                Social media isn’t just about posting some random content. It’s about why certain content works, how brands stand out, and what makes people pause mid-scroll. The Social Playbook is a monthly community series where we break all of that down. Through real
                                                                                                              • Import Error: Empty values for mandatory fields - Closing Date

                                                                                                                Hello, I've tried multiple times to import a CVS Potential list from another Zoho account. But the error message I get is: Empty values for mandatory fields - Closing Date There are valid dates in this field, so I don't understand why this error messages
                                                                                                              • Adding custom "lookup" fields in Zoho Customization

                                                                                                                How can I add a second “lookup” field in Zoho? I’m trying to create another lookup that pulls from my Contacts, but the option doesn’t appear in the module customization sidebar. In many cases, a single work order involves multiple contacts. Ideally,
                                                                                                              • Special characters (like â, â, æ) breaking when input in a field (encoding issue)

                                                                                                                Hey everyone, We are currently dealing with a probably encoding issue when we populate a field (mostly but not exclusively, 'Last Name' for Leads and Contracts). If the user manually inputs special characters (like ä, â, á etc.) from Scandinavian languages,
                                                                                                              • Customizable UI components in pages | Theme builder

                                                                                                                Anyone know when these roadmap items are scheduled for release? They were originally scheduled for Q4 2025. https://www.zoho.com/creator/product-roadmap.html
                                                                                                              • Feature Requests - Contact Coloured Picklist Visibility & Field Visibility During Ticket Creation

                                                                                                                Hi Desk Team, I have 2 feature requests for you. Since Coloured Picklists are now available in Desk, It would be great if the colours were visible on the Related Details (Contact Information) when creating a ticket. In the screenshot below, I have 2 fields
                                                                                                              • How to integrate XML with Zoho CRM

                                                                                                                Hi, I have an eCom service provider that gives me a dynamic XML that contains order information, clients, shipments... The XML link is the only thing I have. No Oath or key, No API get... I want to integrate it into Zoho CRM. I am not a developer nor
                                                                                                              • Feature Request - Ability to Customise Contact Info Card on Ticket Details View

                                                                                                                Hi Desk Team, I've added a "Contact Priority" and "Account Prioirty" field and it would be very useful to agents if they could see that information in the Contact Info card on the Ticket Details view. It would be great if we could choose some fields to
                                                                                                              • Tax in Quote

                                                                                                                Each row item in a quote has a tax value. At the total numbers at the bottom, there is also a Tax entry. If you select tax in both of the (line item, and the total), the tax doubles. My assumption is that the Tax total should be totalling the tax from
                                                                                                              • Zoho Flow integration with Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp

                                                                                                                Hi there,  any plans of adding integrations with Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp into Zoho Flow? Seems that more and more business are delivering automated updates such as "your order is received",  "your order has been shipped" and so on via these two platforms. Not sure if Whatsapp has the API access needed i am pretty sure that Facebook Messenger has... Kind regards Bo Thygesen 
                                                                                                              • Really want the field "Company" in the activities module!

                                                                                                                Hi team! Something we are really missing is able to see the field Company when working in the activities module. We have a lot of tasks and need to see what company it's related to. It's really annoying to not be able to see it.🙈 Thx!
                                                                                                              • Multi-currency and Products

                                                                                                                One of the main reasons I have gone down the Zoho route is because I need multi-currency support.  However, I find that products can only be priced in the home currency, We sell to the US and UK.  However, we maintain different price lists for each. 
                                                                                                              • Campaigns unsubscribe/manage preferences links

                                                                                                                Hi, Where can I edit the unscubscribe and manage preferences link in the footer of the email. I would like it so that when you click 'manage preferences' an form opens up that allows the person to choose what type of emails they do and don't wish to
                                                                                                              • email address somehow still not verified (?!)

                                                                                                                L.S. After creating a new email template in CRM I was about to send a group email to my clients, then Zoho CRM announced that they would change the sender address to some kind of Zoho-e-ddress because my email address "has not been verified". Not only
                                                                                                              • Marketing Tip #17: Add credibility to your online store with Review Widgets

                                                                                                                One of the fastest ways to build trust in an online store is to show real customer feedback right where people are deciding to buy. Third-party widgets let you embed things like Google Reviews, Instagram feeds, or even a WhatsApp chat button. These add
                                                                                                              • Next Page