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

        All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.






                              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

                                                                                                                • Can you import projects into Zoho Projects yet?

                                                                                                                  I see some very old posts asking about importing project records into Zoho Projects. But I can't find anything up to date about the topic. Has this functionality been added? Importing tasks is helpful. But we do have a project where importing projects
                                                                                                                • Updating Sales orders on hold

                                                                                                                  Surely updating irrelevant fields such as shipping date should be allowed when sales orders are awaiting back orders? Maybe the PO is going to be late arriving so we have to change the shipment date of the Sales order ! Not even allowed through the api - {"code":36014,"message":"Sales orders that have been shipped or on hold cannot be updated."}
                                                                                                                • Zoho Social API for generating draft posts from a third-party app ?

                                                                                                                  Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. I have a question regarding Zoho Social. I am developing an application that generates social media posts, and I would like to be able to incorporate a feature that allows saving these posts as drafts in Zoho Social.
                                                                                                                • Deleting unwanted ticket replies

                                                                                                                  Hello, In a Zoho Desk Ticket thread, sometimes one of the recipients has auto-reply activated. This creates a new message in the Ticket thread that not only pollutes the thread, but most importantly cannot be replied properly because usually auto-reply e-mails don't do "reply all", so the other recipients are not included. I want to delete such a message in the Ticket thread. I searched the help of Zoho Desk, but only found a way to mark as Spam (https://help.zoho.com/portal/kb/articles/marking-support-tickets-as-spam)
                                                                                                                • Issue updating Multi-Select Picklist via API (saves as string instead of checking boxes)

                                                                                                                  Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone can point out what I'm doing wrong here. I'm stuck trying to update a custom multi-select field via the Desk API and it's driving me a bit crazy. I have a multi-select picklist called "Buy years" with options like 2023,
                                                                                                                • Page variable not receiving URL parameter in Creator 6 HTML snippet Deluge — Canada DC

                                                                                                                  I have a Creator 6 app on Canada DC. I'm trying to pass a URL parameter to an HTML snippet page via Deluge but the variable always returns empty. Setup: Page: MYC_Meeting_Tool Page variable declared: submission_id, type Text Page Script tab contains:
                                                                                                                • Zoho Campaigns API endpoint for contact details

                                                                                                                  there is some REST API support for Zoho Campaigns, however, I am not able to find an endpoint for "get contact details".  in particular, I'd like to access contact's subscription status and also their topic. ideally there is all profile available including
                                                                                                                • Migrating Documentation from Notion to Zoho Help Centre

                                                                                                                  Hi there, We have a large chunk of documentation that currently sits on Notion. However, we are eager to move this into our Zoho Help Centre/Knowledge Base. What is the most efficient way of achieving this?
                                                                                                                • Can't add attachment on email template

                                                                                                                  The attachment does show up. This is my template. Hi ${Cases.Assigned Programmers}, Please be reminded about the following task that has been assigned to you. Subject : ${Cases.Subject} Description : ${Cases.Description} Ticket # : ${Cases.Request Id}
                                                                                                                • Custom CSS for Zoho CRM Team Bookings embeded widget

                                                                                                                  Hello, we are adding Zoho CRM Team Bookings (crm.zoho.com) in our public website. We know that we can change Theme Color, Font Color and Background Color: Zoho CRM Booking Styling But is it possible to change other CSS attributes e.g. Font Family, like
                                                                                                                • Standard practice rerun updated deluge function over existing recordes

                                                                                                                  Hi folks, we have a function which is triggered via webhook from a third-party solution which then calls another api with a contact-id and gets a json payload back and then parses that data to custom fields in our CRM to the record id. As requirements
                                                                                                                • Specifying time increments on a Date/Time field

                                                                                                                  Hi all, Im using a Date/Time field in my CRM module. At the moment the increments are 30 minutes. How can I change these to be 15 minutes? Thanks
                                                                                                                • Sort by Project Name?

                                                                                                                  How the heck do you sort by project name in the task list views??? Seems like this should be a no-brainer?
                                                                                                                • Maximum limit of bank accounts

                                                                                                                  I'm currently setting up Zoho Books in order to migrate at the start of our next financial year (April) and while adding bank accounts I've tried to add a second account from the same bank and receive an error about the maximum limit of bank accounts.
                                                                                                                • Account and Email and Password

                                                                                                                  I'm signing up as a Partner so I can move my website clients across to a separate email server from their current cPanel one.. So I have a Zoho account and then I moved one of my emails across to that account to test the import process... So the question
                                                                                                                • Zoho Sprints iOS and Android app update: Global view. Screen capture control, file encryption, tags enhancement(iOS)

                                                                                                                  Hello everyone! We are excited to introduce new features in the latest version(v2.1) of the Zoho Sprints iOS app update. Let’s take a quick look at what’s new. 1. Global view Global view brings all your project items into one centralised space. You can
                                                                                                                • Creating Restaurant Inventory Management on Zoho

                                                                                                                  Hi,  We run a small cloud kitchen and are interested to use Zoho for Inventory and Composite Item tracking for our food served and supplied procured to make food items.  Our model is basically like subway where the customer can choose breads, veggies,
                                                                                                                • Price Managment

                                                                                                                  I have been in discussions with Zoho for some time and not getting what I need. Maybe someone can help explain the logic behind this for me as I fail to understand. When creating an item, you input a sales rate and purchase rate. These rates are just
                                                                                                                • How do I create an update to the Cost Price from landed costs?

                                                                                                                  Hi fellow Zoho Inventory battlers, I am new to Zoho inventory and was completely baffled to find that the cost price of products does not update when a new purchase order is received. The cost price is just made up numbers I start with when the product
                                                                                                                • only 100 entry download entries in Zoho Form

                                                                                                                  Is there a way to download more than 100 entries in a form at a time? It is capped (unless I am not doing the export correctly). This is very frustrating as I want to make sure I don't miss a record when downloading data. Thanks!
                                                                                                                • Zoho FSM Premium Edition is Here

                                                                                                                  As your field service operations grow, so do the complexities — managing large distributed teams, keeping sensitive data secure, generating the right reports at the right time, and ensuring every technician dispatched is the right fit for the job. The
                                                                                                                • Seeking a WhatsApp Business App (not API) Zoho CRM integration

                                                                                                                  We have a business need to integrated WhatsApp Business App (not API) into Zoho CRM to centrally manage communications between our Sales team and Leads & Contact. Is there a reputable integration available for this scenario of ours? Core features we would
                                                                                                                • Auto-sync field of lookup value

                                                                                                                  This feature has been requested many times in the discussion Field of Lookup Announcement and this post aims to track it separately. At the moment the value of a 'field of lookup' is a snapshot but once the parent lookup field is updated the values diverge.
                                                                                                                • How are other Books users integrating crypto and digital assets into Books?

                                                                                                                  If my company owns some digital assets I would want those to exist in Books as assets, and also be able to change the value as needed when generating reports. My company would also be receiving payment in cryptocurrencies and may sell at the time of payment
                                                                                                                • Lets Talk Recruit: Key takeaways from our India community meetups

                                                                                                                  Welcome back to Let's Talk Recruit — the series where we bring you real stories, product insights, and community highlights from the world of recruitment. Our last post covered how Resume Harvester can take the follow-up out of hiring. This edition is
                                                                                                                • Unable to create new finance account in Zoho Books Android app due to missing account number field.

                                                                                                                  Free plan I have enabled a setting via the website requiring unique account codes to be specified for all accounts. When using the android app, go to expenses, new expense, select account, new account. Promoted to enter the Account name and description.
                                                                                                                • How to Fetch data from Sales Order and Insert into Purchase Order with Deluge

                                                                                                                  Hello, I am wanting to write a Deluge script that would take the shipping address on a Sales Order and upon conversion to a Sales Order automatically insert it into that corresponding PO. I am new to Deluge but understand that it has great capabilities.
                                                                                                                • Google Drive shared folder

                                                                                                                  My deluge script has stopped working, no longer collecting files from Google Drive - have these connections finally been deprecated ?? They seem to be active but errors occur when updating them ?
                                                                                                                • Zoho Desk: Mobile Updates | Q1 2026

                                                                                                                  Hello everyone, Greetings! As we gear up for the end of Q1, we are excited to share a quick journey into all that released in the first quarter of 2026. We have brought in a few enhancements in the mobile apps that improve overall user experience and
                                                                                                                • CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users

                                                                                                                  Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage
                                                                                                                • Additional Address - Company Name

                                                                                                                  It would be very helpful to have a "Company Name" field in the Additional Address shipping section.  In a situation where you drop-ship orders to a different address or different company entirely, it may be necessary to list the company name of the receiver. I understand that the Attention field can be used for that purpose, but that's not really the intended purpose of that field.
                                                                                                                • Zoho Payroll's Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Canada edition is available in Zoho One

                                                                                                                  Great news for Zoho One users! Zoho Payroll has expanded to five new regions: Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Canada. And the best part? These new editions are fully integrated with Zoho One, just like our existing editions in India, the UAE, Saudi
                                                                                                                • Does Zoho Creator support multilingual translation for user-entered data?

                                                                                                                  I understand that Zoho Creator provides localization support for UI elements such as field labels and static text. I would like to know: Does Zoho Creator support automatic translation of user-entered data (for example, form inputs or stored records)
                                                                                                                • Upload field on tasks module

                                                                                                                  Hello, Why I cannot add an upload field to a Task? Or maybe when creating the task make attachements visible, so you can add an attachement while creating the task? Looking forward to your response! Moderation Update: The Canvas detail view for the Tasks
                                                                                                                • WhatsApp phone number migration

                                                                                                                  Hi @Gowri V and @Pheranda Nongpiur, Thanks for implementing the promised enhancements to the integration between Zoho CRM and WhatsApp. The previous discussion has been locked, so I'm opening this new one. I am copying below a specific
                                                                                                                • How to let club members update their own profile data

                                                                                                                  Our club has about 200 members. We keep names, addresses, phones, emails, payment records, etc. for each, recently migrated to Creator. Once a year I send email to each member to confirm or correct their info on file with us, as well as ask for payment
                                                                                                                • Document retention in Zoho Sign

                                                                                                                  Document management doesn’t end at signing. It extends to how long you retain agreements—and how securely you dispose of them. With the document retention option in Zoho Sign, you can define structured, policy-driven timelines for managing completed documents.
                                                                                                                • Sales Allowed Beyond Available Stock and Payment Recorded Without Restriction

                                                                                                                  Hi, While testing in Zoho Inventory, I noticed that a sales order can be created with a quantity exceeding the available stock in the selected warehouse. In my case: Available stock: 5 units Ordered quantity: 6 units Despite this: I was able to convert
                                                                                                                • Deleting, Adding and Changing a Zoho Books Entry

                                                                                                                  Zoho Books Community & Support, If a bulk upload of entries were added to an account, what is the process to: - Delete an entry - Change the amount of an entry - Is there a means to manually add an entry other than upload?
                                                                                                                • Zoho CRM - Feature Request - Analytics Components Group By Week Alternative Formats

                                                                                                                  On the Zoho CRM Analytics Components, please consider adding an option to allow group by week format to be changed to other formats such as Week Commencing or Week Ending dates, rather than the current Week Number. This would provide improved usability
                                                                                                                • Next Page