What's New in Zoho Books - April 2020

What's New in Zoho Books - April 2020

Hello, everyone!

First off, we hope you're all staying safe during this time.


The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all businesses, both small and large. At Zoho, we've been working remotely to ensure your business doesn't face any technical setbacks during these hard times. Our teams have been tirelessly working on providing technical assistance whenever required and making the necessary enhancements to the application. Here are some of the significant enhancements we've made while working remotely hoping they'd be useful for you:

 

Introducing the Vendor Portal

In business, it's important to maintain your contacts, keep track of all the transactions, collaborate and work as one. Zoho Books provides a gateway for your vendors to access every transaction you've made with them. They can access all records, comment on and discuss transactions, and generate account statements for their reference. Learn More

To enable this: Select the vendor > Click the 
More dropdown > Select Configure Vendor Portal.



Integrate Zoho Books with Mercado Pago


If your business is located in the Latin American region, you can integrate your Zoho Books organization with the popular payment gateway, Mercado Pago. It lets you collect online or offline payments for invoices securely and effortlessly. You can collect payments via cash, debit/credit cards, and redlink transfers. Learn More

To enable this payment gateway: Go to 
SettingsOnline PaymentsMercado Pago.


Restructured the invoice details page


To enhance your experience with the app, we've been tinkering around with the Invoice Details page. We've reorganized some actions and understand that this might take a while for you to adapt. Here's what we've done:
  • Edit, mail, share, and other actions have been moved to the left to provide a cleaner view. 

  • Comments and History section has been moved to the top-right corner of the page and will be visible upon clicking.

  • Payments Received tab details all the payments received, mode of payment, and other details.

  • Related lists and other associated transactions (such as sales orders, bills and journals) will be available at the bottom of the invoice. 

 


 

Customize layout and print reports


Based on a business' way of operating, one might require a distinct format of reports rather than the one provided by Zoho Books. This could be used to pass on to their accountants for verification or for their business' audit purposes. Start by selecting the table design and density based on the amount of data. Then continue to choose the details you wantdisplayed, pick the font, choose the orientation and paper type, and even set margins before printing your data.

To customize the layout: Go to 
Reports > Click Configure Report Layout.

 

 

Generate customer and vendor balances summary report (India)


You can now generate the balances of your contacts As on a Particular Date using the Customer and Vendor Balances Summary. This shows the outstanding balances of all the bills, invoices, or credit without considering the payments made on a later date. You can customize the date range and show/hide the columns to view the Net Credits/Debits, Opening Balances, etc,. 

To generate these: Go to Reports > Receivables/Payables > Customer Balance Summary/Vendor Balance Summary. 


 

Apply taxes on shipping charges (UK and Global)

 

Users can now apply taxes on shipping charges and tax VAT accordingly. Enter the shipping charges and then choose the rate of tax to be applied to them.

To apply taxes on shipping: Enable shipping charges under Settings > Preferences > General. Create an invoice, enter the amount and VAT rates.



Create items with identical names

If you would like to create multiple items with the same name, you can in Zoho Books. You can enable this option in preferences and provide a distinct SKU number for each product you're creating.

To enable this: Go to 
SettingsPreferencesItem Preference > Enable the Allow Duplicate Item Name option.



Share transactions via Whatsapp (India)


The latest version of the Zoho Books Android app allows you to share Invoice Links and PDFs of your transactions with your customers directly via Whatsapp if you've saved them as a contact on your mobile device. The recent updates also allow you to initiate payments to your vendors when you've integrated with the ICICI Bank.


You can also see all the updates we've made to Zoho Books in our What's New Timeline. Do try these features out and let us know your feedback in the comments. If you require any assistance, feel free to contact us at support@zohobooks.com, We're here for you.

 


Regards, 
Aashika M
The Zoho Books 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

                                                                                                              • How to import data from PDF into Zoho Sheet

                                                                                                                I am looking to import Consolidated Account Statement (https://www.camsonline.com/Investors/Statements/Consolidated-Account-Statement) into zoho sheet. Any help is appreciated. The pdf is received as attachment in the email, this document is password
                                                                                                              • Zoho Projects Android app: Integration with Microsoft Intune

                                                                                                                Hello everyone! We’re excited to announce that Zoho Projects now integrates with Microsoft Intune, enabling enhanced security and enterprise app management. We have now added support for Microsoft Intune Mobile Application Management (MAM) policies through
                                                                                                              • Cant't update custom field when custom field is external lookup in Zoho Books

                                                                                                                Hello I use that : po = zoho.books.updateRecord("purchaseorders",XXXX,purchaseorder_id,updateCustomFieldseMap,"el_books_connection"); c_f_Map2 = Map(); c_f_Map2.put("label","EL ORDER ID"); c_f_Map2.put("value",el_order_id); c_f_List.add(c_f_Map2); updateCustomFieldseMap
                                                                                                              • Wrapping up 2025 on a high note: CRM Release Highlights of the year

                                                                                                                Dear Customers, 2025 was an eventful year for us at Zoho CRM. We’ve had releases of all sizes and impact, and we are excited to look back, break it down, and rediscover them with you! Before we rewind—we’d like to take a minute and sincerely thank you
                                                                                                              • About Zoneminder (CCTV) and Zoho People

                                                                                                                Hi team I would like to implement a CCTV service for our branches, with the aim of passively detecting both the entry and exit of personnel enrolled in Zoho Peeple, but my question is: It is possible to integrate Zoho People with Zoneminder, I understand
                                                                                                              • Introducing the Zoho Projects Learning Space

                                                                                                                Every product has its learning curve, and sometimes having a guided path makes the learning experience smoother. With that goal, we introduce a dedicated learning space for Zoho Projects, a platform where you can explore lessons, learn at your own pace,
                                                                                                              • Create CRM Deal from Books Quote and Auto Update Deal Stage

                                                                                                                I want to set up an automation where, whenever a Quote is created in Zoho Books, a Deal is automatically created in Zoho CRM with the Quote amount, customer details, and some custom fields from Zoho Books. Additionally, when the Sales Order is converted
                                                                                                              • How to show branch instead of org name on invoice template?

                                                                                                                Not sure why invoices are showing the org name not the branch name? I can insert the branch name using the ${ORGANIZATION.BRANCHNAME} placeholder, but then it isn't bold text anymore. Any other ideas?
                                                                                                              • Admin asked me for Backend Details when I wanted to verify my ZeptoMail Account

                                                                                                                Please provide the backend details where you will be adding the SMTP/API information of ZeptoMail Who knows what this means?
                                                                                                              • Unable to remove the “Automatically Assigned” territory from existing records

                                                                                                                Hello Zoho Community Team, We are currently using Territory Management in Zoho CRM and have encountered an issue with automatically assigned territories on Account records. Once any account is created the territory is assigned automatically, the Automatically
                                                                                                              • Kaizen #223 - File Manager in CRM Widget Using ZRC Methods

                                                                                                                Hello, CRM Wizards! Here is what we are improving this week with Kaizen. we will explore the new ZRC (Zoho Request Client) introduced in Widget SDK v1.5, and learn how to use it to build a Related List Widget that integrates with Zoho WorkDrive. It helps
                                                                                                              • Set connection link name from variable in invokeurl

                                                                                                                Hi, guys. How to set in parameter "connection" a variable, instead of a string. connectionLinkName = manager.get('connectionLinkName').toString(); response = invokeurl [ url :"https://www.googleapis.com/calendar/v3/freeBusy" type :POST parameters:requestParams.toString()
                                                                                                              • Possible to connect Zoho CRM's Sandbox with Zoho Creator's Sandbox?

                                                                                                                We are making some big changes on our CRM so we are testing it out in CRM's Sandbox. We also have a Zoho Creator app that we need to test. Is it possible to connect Zoho CRM's Sandbox to Zoho Creator's Sandbox so that I can perform those tests?
                                                                                                              • I Need Help Verifying Ownership of My Zoho Help Desk on Google Search Console

                                                                                                                I added my Zoho desk portal to Google Search Console, but since i do not have access to the html code of my theme, i could not verify ownership of my portal on Google search console. I want you to help me place the html code given to me from Google search
                                                                                                              • Timeline Tracker

                                                                                                                Hi Team, I am currently using Zoho Creator – Blueprint Workflows, and I would like to know if there is a way to track a timeline of the approval process within a Blueprint. Specifically, I am looking for details such as: Who submitted the record Who clicked
                                                                                                              • Primary / Other Billing Contacts

                                                                                                                If you add an additional contact to a Zoho Billing Customer record, and then mark this new contact as the primary contact, will both the new primary and old primary still receive notifications? Can you stop notifications from going to the additional contacts
                                                                                                              • Missing Import Options

                                                                                                                Hello, do I miss something or is there no space import option inside of this application? In ClickUp, you can import from every common application. We don't want to go through every page and export them one by one. That wastes time. We want to centralize
                                                                                                              • CRM x WorkDrive: File storage for new CRM signups is now powered by WorkDrive

                                                                                                                Availability Editions: All DCs: All Release plan: Released for new signups in all DCs. It will be enabled for existing users in a phased manner in the upcoming months. Help documentation: Documents in Zoho CRM Manage folders in Documents tab Manage files
                                                                                                              • Is it possible to enforce a single default task for all users in a Zoho Projects ?

                                                                                                                In Zoho Projects, the Tasks module provides multiple views, including List, Gantt, and Kanban. Additionally, users can create and switch to their own custom views. During project review meetings, this flexibility creates confusion because different users
                                                                                                              • [Free Webinar] Zoho Creator webinars - Learning Table and Creator Tech Connect Series in 2026

                                                                                                                Hello everyone, Wishing you all a wonderful new year! May 2026 and the years ahead bring more opportunities, growth, and learning your way 🙂 We’re excited to kick off the 2026 edition of the Learning Table Series and Creator Tech Connect Series ! Learning
                                                                                                              • Reply and react to comments

                                                                                                                Hi everyone! We're excited to bring to you a couple of new features that'll make your sprint process simpler. A cloud application brings with it an array of social media features that can be efficiently used in your organizational setup. As an agile scrum
                                                                                                              • Restrict Users access to login into CRM?

                                                                                                                I’m wanting my employees to be able to utilize the Zoho CRM Lookup field within Zoho Forms. For them to use lookup field in Zoho Forms it is my understanding that they need to be licensed for Forms and the CRM. However, I don’t want them to be able to
                                                                                                              • Module Customisation - Lookup function not available

                                                                                                                Good evening, Within my business, I can have multiple customers, who have multiple mobile assets. When I set these assets up, I enter information such as vehicle registration, Vehicle identification number (VIN), Unit number, YOM, in addition to others.
                                                                                                              • zoho click, and nord VPN

                                                                                                                Unfortunately, we've been having problems with Zoho Click, where essentially the line cuts off after about a minute's worth of conversation every time we are on VPN. Is there a way we can change this within the settings so it does not cut the line off
                                                                                                              • Zoho Calender

                                                                                                                a) does the clanender in zoho project allow you to see the name of the event in the celnder view, it currently says either "Task (1) or "Milestoen (1)" b) Alternatively does the calender in Zoho project integrate with zoho calender?
                                                                                                              • Matching ZOHO Payments in Banking

                                                                                                                Our company has recently integrated ZOHO Payments into our system. This seemed really convenient at first because our customers could pay their account balance by clicking on a link imbedded in the emailed invoice. Unfortunately, we can't figure out how
                                                                                                              • Team Gamification

                                                                                                                Would love to motivate, engage and encourage our team with our social media posts. Would like to include Gamification features of Social Media in Zoho Social or Marketing Automation. And also bring in Social Advocacy tools/tracking/management to these,
                                                                                                              • Power up your Kiosk Studio with Real-Time Data Capture, Client Scripts & More!

                                                                                                                Hello Everyone, We’re thrilled to announce a powerful set of enhancements to Kiosk Studio in Zoho CRM. These new updates give you more flexibility, faster record handling, and real-time data capture, making your Kiosk flows smarter and more efficient
                                                                                                              • New Enhancements to Zoho CRM and Zoho Creator Integration

                                                                                                                Hello Everyone, We’ve rolled out enhancements to the Zoho Creator and Zoho CRM integration to align with recent updates made to the Zoho Creator platform. With enhancements to both the UI and functionality, This update also tightens access control by
                                                                                                              • Work Type - Limitation

                                                                                                                Hello, I'm setting up work types and have noticed, a limitation on the parts area to 10 lines. Can this be increased to 20 or greater? In addition to this, when I attempt to add the work type to a work order, the correct labour hours doesn't flow through.
                                                                                                              • Emails sent through Bigin are not posting in IMAP Sent folder

                                                                                                                I have set up my email to work from within Bigin using IMAP.  I am using IMAP so I can sync my email across multiple devices - phone / laptop / desktop / iPad / etc.  I want all my emails to populate my email client (outlook & iphone email) whether or
                                                                                                              • Turning the page for Zoho SalesIQ: 2025 to 2026

                                                                                                                As we wrap up 2025, we would like to take a moment to reflect on what we set out to achieve this year, what we’ve delivered, and where we’re headed next. What we focused on in 2025 This year was all about strengthening the core of engagement and AI, making
                                                                                                              • Stage-probability mapping feature in custom module

                                                                                                                Hi, I'm building a custom module for manage projects. I would like to implement the stage-probability feature that Potentials has. Is this possible?
                                                                                                              • Temporary Outage in Zoho Cliq Affecting US Users – July 23, 2025

                                                                                                                We experienced a service disruption in Zoho Cliq that impacted core functionality for users in the US region. The issue occurred between Jul 23, 2025, 06:54:00 PM IST and 07:13:13 PM IST, lasting approximately 19 minutes. To restore service stability,
                                                                                                              • Why Sharing Rules do Not support relative date comparison???

                                                                                                                I am creating a Sharing Rule and simply want to share where "Last Day of Coverage" (Date field) is Greater than TODAY (Starting Tomorrow). However, sharing rules don't have the option to compare a date field to a relative date (like today), only to Static
                                                                                                              • Zoho Cliq not working on airplanes

                                                                                                                Hi, My team and I have been having this constant issue of cliq not working when connected to an airplane's wifi. Is there a reason for this? We have tried on different Airlines and it doesn't work on any of them. We need assistance here since we are constantly
                                                                                                              • Problem with Workdrive folders

                                                                                                                I'm having a problem a problem accessing files in a Zoho work drive folder when using the Zoho writer app. The problem folder appears grayed out in the Zoho work drive window in both the online and writer application. However I can open the folder in
                                                                                                              • 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. 
                                                                                                              • Create an Eye-Catching Announcement Widget for Your Help Center

                                                                                                                Hello Everyone! In this week’s edition, let’s explore how to keep your customers updated with exciting news in the Help Center. See how ZylkerMobile wowed their customers by bringing updates right to their portal. ZylkerMobile, the renowned brand for
                                                                                                              • Send Whatsapp with API including custom placeholders

                                                                                                                Is is possible to initiate a session on whatsapp IM channel with a template that includes params (placeholders) that are passed on the API call? This is very usefull to send a Utility message for a transactional notification including an order number
                                                                                                              • Next Page