Understand Data Sharing | Zoho Creator Help

Understand Data Sharing

What Does This Page Cover?

Learn how the flow of data can be facilitated from between users/roles.

Availability

  1. Data Sharing is accessible in all plans of Creator.
  2. Only the super admin, admins, and developers can create and manage Data Sharing.

Overview

Any organization primarily runs on data. Be it an application for public use, for organizational use, or for personal use, the data obtained from the basic module, a form, is the basis for all further actions that can be performed. Sharing this data between the people involved in the organization facilitates these actions for different processes. To avoid reckless sharing of data, one should limit and consciously build rigid guidelines.

Data Sharing Rules in Creator

User Permissions encapsulates three triads that govern the accessibility of an application's components and the data stored in it. When you incorporate the potential of permissions, role hierarchy, and data sharing rules in an application, a standardized and controlled approach of data handling can be achieved.

In Creator, we have multiple folds of security to enhance data protection which avoids unnecessary sharing of information. Not everybody in an organization needs access to all the data guarded by the application. Therefore, a restricted flow of data should come into place. To bring about this customization, you can use Data Sharing which will extend access rights to users/roles who will not have access to data by default.

This feature ensures that only the necessary data is accessed by the users / roles. Once the data sharing rules are configured, users associated to other roles and groups can gain additional access to the records that belong to other users. The data sharing rule lets you configure the level of access for the records. The two types of access levels are:
  1. Read only - The shared records can only be viewed.
  2. Read/Write - The shared records can be viewed and editing of the records is also enabled.

See How It Works



Use Case

Say you're running a project management company. The Customer Executive team interacts with customers and creates records in a Add Project Details form while the Project Creation team works on the projects. Since they are two different teams under different roles that don't report to each other, the Project Creation team cannot access the Customer Executive team's records by default. Therefore, a data sharing rule is drafted where records can be shared from the Customer Executive team (role) to the Project Creation team. It allows the latter team to access the details of the projects and start working on them.

In the Edit mode of the application, User Permissions is situated under the Permissions section of the Settings page. When the Data Sharing tab is clicked, the screen from where you can add new share rules and manage the same appears.

Data Sharing Rule Configuration

  1. Name - You can specify a name for the data sharing rule.
  2. Form - You can further choose the Form whose records you want to share.
  3. Records shared from - Select the role/user, whose added records will be shared.
  4. Records shared to - Select the role/user to whom the data will be shared.
  5. Level of access - You can choose from two types of access - Read Only or Read/Write.

Achieving Granular Access Control Using User Permissions

Any organization will want authority over how their data is circulated within their organization. When a systemized structure which decides how and who can access an application's data comes into place, both the management of data and its security is ensured. Using the combined power of permissions, role hierarchy, and data sharing rules  helps you achieve this.

Each of the above features allows you to create a different type of exclusive access for users, to the data of an application. They work in different ways to achieve the intricate control of data that an organization needs.

Permissions vs Role Hierarchy
This table explains which records a user can access when they are assigned with the permissions listed below.

Permission Set Actions
Role hierarchy Disabled
Role hierarchy Enabled
View
Records added by them.
Records added by them.
Edit
  1. Records added by them.
  2. Records added by their subordinates.
  1. Records added by them.
  2. Records added by their subordinates.
View All
All records.
All records.
Modify All
All records.
All records.

Data Sharing vs Permissions
Data sharing rules allow the records of a report to be shared from one user/role to another. However, the shared data will be accessible by the receiver only if they have the permission to access that report.

Data Sharing vs Role Hierarchy
Data sharing rules overrule role hierarchy and allow users/roles to access shared data.

Usecase : Say you add a user, Teresa, to an application. You assign her a role and a permission set while adding her to the application. A few scenarios are explained below to bring more clarity on how you can use User Permissions to define which records she can access.
  1. Scenario 1 - To let her access and delete only the records added by herself in a report, you assign her with a permission set that allows View, Edit, and Delete actions.
  2. Scenario 2 - To let her access both, her records and the records of her subordinates, you enable role hierarchy.
  3. Scenario 3 - To customize the sharing of records from a role/user to her (when she does not have access by default), you define a data sharing rule.
  4. Scenario 4 - To let her view all the records of a report regardless of who added it, you assign her with a permission set that allows View All/ Modify All actions.

Points to Note

  1. You can add as many data sharing rules as required by your application.
  2. When environments is enabled, the configured data sharing rules will reflect on the users in the live mode only when the application is pushed to the Production environment.
  1. Create and Manage Data Sharing Rules
  2. Understand User Permissions
  3. Understand Permissions
  4. Understand Roles and Role Hierarchy
  5. Understand Users


    Access your files securely from anywhere

      Zoho CRM Training Programs

      Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

      Zoho CRM Training
        Redefine the way you work
        with Zoho Workplace

          Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

          If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

          Zoho CRM Training

            Create, share, and deliver

            beautiful slides from anywhere.

            Get Started Now


              Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

              BOOK A SESSION









                                            You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                                Manage your brands on social media

                                                  Zoho Desk Resources

                                                  • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                  • Digest


                                                  • Functions


                                                  • Meetups


                                                  • Kbase


                                                  • Resources


                                                  • Glossary


                                                  • Desk Marketplace


                                                  • MVP Corner


                                                  • Word of the Day


                                                    Zoho Marketing Automation

                                                      Zoho Sheet Resources

                                                       

                                                          Zoho Forms Resources


                                                            Secure your business
                                                            communication with Zoho Mail


                                                            Mail on the move with
                                                            Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                              Stay on top of your schedule
                                                              at all times


                                                              Carry your calendar with you
                                                              Anytime, anywhere




                                                                    Zoho Sign Resources

                                                                      Sign, Paperless!

                                                                      Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                                      Get Started Now




                                                                              Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                                      Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                                                        Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                                        Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                        REGISTER NOW


                                                                                          Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                          Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                          Get Started Now









                                                                                                              • Related Articles

                                                                                                              • Create and Manage Data Sharing Rules

                                                                                                                What Does This Page Cover? Learn to create data sharing rules that allow the flow of application data from one user/role to another. Availability Data Sharing is accessible in all plans of Creator. Only the super admin, admins, and developers can ...
                                                                                                              • Understand Permissions

                                                                                                                What Does This Page Cover? Learn how you can define unique permission sets such as Read, Write, or customized ones that decide on how different users can access the records. Availability Permissions can be accessed in all plans of Creator. Addition ...
                                                                                                              • FAQs: Capture Location - Location Data

                                                                                                                This page covers everything you need to know about managing geolocation data capture on your website forms, from informing users about location tracking to enabling and disabling the feature as per consent and privacy regulations.covers What is ...
                                                                                                              • Understand Operations

                                                                                                                Overview Operations helps to manage various functions for the Solutions and their components efficiently from one place. These operations can be used to perform actions such as backing up your data, enabling troubleshooting to resolve issues, or ...
                                                                                                              • Understand Users

                                                                                                                This help page is for users in Creator 6. If you are in the older version (Creator 5), click here. Know your Creator version. 1. What Does This Page Cover? Learn about users who can be added to your organization and how they can access the ...
                                                                                                                Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                                your workplace

                                                                                                                  Resources

                                                                                                                  Videos

                                                                                                                  Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                  eBooks

                                                                                                                  Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                                  Webinars

                                                                                                                  Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                                  CRM Tips

                                                                                                                  Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                                    Zoho Show Resources