Hello Everyone! 

During the final weeks of December, Zoho CRM introduced updates that not only enhanced product capabilities but also offered deeper guidance through Kaizen posts. This section highlights what was released and shared in the last two weeks of the month.

Product Updates:

WorkDrive-Powered File Storage for Existing CRM Users

The WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for Zoho CRM is being rolled out in phases to existing users, following its earlier introduction to new signups. It delivers a modern interface, advanced file management, and more economical storage. The announcement outlines migration steps, notifications, timelines, and answers common questions about availability, access during migration, and existing WorkDrive setups. Explore this post to learn more.

Improved Portal Experience with Template View and PDF Export:

Zoho CRM now offers an enhanced portal experience with Template View support for inventory modules, improved configuration controls across List, Detail, and Create views, and PDF export access for portal users. This update helps clients view and interact with inventory records in a clearer, more familiar format. Visit this post to learn how to configure these options and explore default templates available for portal users.

Create Canvas List View Templates from Images Using Zia

Introducing a new Zia-powered capability that lets users generate Canvas list view templates directly from images like design mock-ups or screenshots. Zia intelligently detects layout elements, extracts text, and maps content to CRM fields to deliver a ready-to-edit Canvas view in minutes. Fine-tune the design, adjust field mappings, and publish with full control, making CRM customization faster and more intuitive. Check out this post to learn more. 

Enhanced Kiosk Studio with Client Scripts:

Zoho CRM has enhanced Kiosk Studio to make data capture and record handling more flexible and real-time. Users can now launch kiosks from anywhere using client scripts, create records during live execution with Quick Create, and work with improved GetRecords screens featuring instant loading, pagination, search, filters, and higher selection limits. These updates also extend Kiosk Studio availability to the Standard edition, enabling more teams to build and run kiosks efficiently. Read the post to learn more.

Notes Badge as a Quick Action in List Views

Introducing the Notes badge, a quick action in module list views that lets users view and manage notes without opening individual records. Users can now add, edit, delete, sort, and summarize notes using Zia directly from the list view, with a preview of recently added notes on hover. The update also supports client scripts for notes created from the list view and allows users to hide the badge if needed. Check out the Forum post to learn more.

Enhanced Zoho CRM–Zoho Creator Integration

Zoho CRM rolled out enhancements to its Zoho Creator integration to align with recent platform updates, improving both usability and control. The update introduces a refreshed integration flow, teamspace-based association, multi-developer support, granular user permissions, and environment support for development, staging, and production. Integration ownership is now restricted to Creator app owners, with stricter permission requirements and automatic cleanup of related lists upon app deactivation. Read the post to know more.

Improved Contact Sync Flow in Zoho CRM's Google Integration:

Zoho CRM revamped its Google contact sync to provide greater control, flexibility, and safer testing. Users can now sync up to five modules, including custom modules, through a redesigned three-step setup that supports custom field mapping and default values. The update also introduces automatic Google contact label creation and allows sync testing in sandbox environments before going live. Contact syncing is now based on record ownership and module selection, ensuring cleaner and more relevant data flow. Check out this post to learn more about these enhancements.

Quick Wins:

Trigger Alerts Based on Lookup Field Conditions:

@dale.wilson asked how to trigger an alert when a related record selected via a lookup field meets a specific condition. @Ishwarya SG shared a sample Deluge function to validate the checkbox value in the related module before sending an email, while @Sunderjan Siddharth helped resolve a follow-up error by clarifying the correct function structure to achieve it. Check out the post to learn more!

Preserve Data When Changing Field Types:

@smasih asked whether changing a field in Zoho CRM from text field to URL field would keep the existing data as-is or automatically convert it into clickable links. @Bhoomi Joshi explained that field types cannot be changed directly and suggested creating a new field and migrating data using export–import or a Deluge script, with @Andres and @Ishwarya SG sharing additional guidance. Take a look at the post to learn more.

Moving Imported Contacts Back to Leads

@André Schütte asked how to convert a large set of imported Contacts into Leads. @Ishwarya SG outlined two practical approaches based on when the import occurred, using Undo Import for recent data or a custom button to move records for older imports. Take a look at the post to see the available approaches.

Kaizen:

(Kaizen #221) : Workflow & Actions Reports APIs

This Kaizen walks through how admins and developers can audit, monitor, and govern workflows at scale using Zoho CRM Reports APIs. It covers identifying complex workflows, verifying action execution, tracking webhook health, and analyzing email notification usage through real-world scenarios. Check out the post to learn how to transform your automation from simply being configured to actively monitored and improved.

Kaizen #222: Client Script Support for Notes Related List

This Kaizen explains how Client Scripts can be used to validate, control, and protect notes across modules using supported events and ZDKs. It demonstrates a use case where note edits are restricted based on deal stage and user profile, helping teams maintain accuracy and audit integrity during critical stages. Check out the full post to explore the use case and implementation details.

And with that, we wrap up this year’s Zoho CRM Community Digest. Caught something cool we missed? Or have a favorite from this edition?

Drop it in the comments! We’d love to hear from you. We’ll be back with more updates and community gems. Until then, stay tuned!