Understanding Creator homepage

Understanding Creator homepage

In a nutshell
The Homepage acts as the central hub for all your Creator solutions (applications, BI & Analytics, and integration flows) providing you an at-a-glance summary of all solutions you’ve built along with viewing and accessing solutions shared with you. From this homepage, you can create new solutions, access and edit existing ones, and perform various management actions.
Availability
The Creator homepage is available:
  1. On all pricing plans. Either Applications or Solutions will be shown in your homepage, based on your pricing plan. Users on the Enterprise plan will see Solutions, while users on other plans will see Applications
  2. In the Creator 6 version of Zoho Creator
  3. To all users; the permissions within solutions inside the homepage may however vary based on the user type

1. Overview

The Homepage is the first screen that you see once you sign in to Zoho Creator.  On this page, you can view, manage, and create solutions such as applications, BI & Analytics, and Integration Flows in your default workspace. It provides a unified, card-based interface that helps you quickly navigate through your existing apps, access configuration options, and initiate creation of new apps. With built-in search, filters, and navigation shortcuts, this page helps super admin, admins, and developers manage their app portfolio efficiently. The homepage is also accessible to application users, who can view, access, and filter apps, but cannot manage or edit them.


2. Accessing the Creator homepage

To access the Homepage, sign in to your Creator account. By default, the Solutions section under the Develop module from the left navigation panel will be selected and all your solutions (applications, BI & Analytics, and Integration Flow) will be listed as cards.

3. Understanding the Homepage layout

The Homepage comprises the following four key areas highlighted in the image below.
  1. Left navigation panel - Access key modules and respective sections to navigate and manage your account efficiently.
  2. Solutions dashboard - View and manage all your solutions from a single place. You can also quickly access search, solution filters, account options, and create new solutions.
  3. Top navigation bar - You can perform the following actions here.
    1. View the default workspace and switch between workspaces.
    2. Access your account details, support resources, and other essential actions.
    3. Search and access other Zoho services in a click.
  4. Help panel - Get instant access to help resources, guides, and support whenever you need assistance.

3.1 Homepage appearance for user types

User
Availability
Snapshot
Super admin and admins
Access everything on the homepage

Users and developers with access to apps where environments are disabled
Solutions dashboard
(only the solutions shared with them will be listed here)

Developers with access to environment-enabled apps
  1. Left navigation panel - Only Solutions and Environment sections will be listed
  2. Solutions dashboard (Only the solutions shared with them will be listed here)
Note: The option to create new solutions will not be available.

4. Left navigation panel

The left panel categorizes all the major modules of Creator and their respective sections as listed in the below table. You can use these modules to move seamlessly between developing, deploying, and managing your solutions.


Module
Description
Section
Develop
Contains essential features to help you build full-fledged solutions, along with the facility to incorporate small pieces of apps that are individually functional and can be used in your Creator apps to achieve specific business goals.
  1. Solutions - Lets you build and manage business applications, B & Analytics, and integration flows
  2. Microservices - These are independent services of an app that can easily be deployed to work in tandem with your application
Deploy
Comprises features to deploy and deliver the Creator applications you've built across environment stages, publish them as mobile apps and also let external users access them.
  1. Environments - Provides a structured platform for developing, testing, and deploying changes to the live application efficiently.
  2. Mobile - Enables you to easily build and download custom Android/iOS apps with multiple features and functionalities.
  3. Portal - Provides secure app access to external users or customers through branded portals respectively.
Manage
Comprises features that help you manage and operate deployed Creator applications by controlling access, enforcing security policies and compliance, and managing subscriptions efficiently.
  1. Users - Lets you add and manage users. This allows them to access your applications shared with them.
  2. Organization - Lets you customize your organization details and maintain consistent branding across your Creator account.
  3. Governance - Lets you improve user management and run your organization efficiently using the Zoho Directory features that are supported in Creator.
  4. Metrics - Helps analyze and monitor the usage statistics across live applications and its users in a single platform.
  5. Operations - Helps to manage various functions for 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 maintaining logs of the activities inside your solution.
  6. Billing - Helps you easily manage your subscription, check your current billing plan, and understand the details and limits of your usage.

5. Solutions dashboard

This dashboard acts as a central hub where you can view and manage all your solutions inside your selected workspace in Creator. It provides a consolidated overview with quick access to solution details, actions, and statuses, helping you efficiently organize, track, and scale your applications from a single place. You can also quickly access search, app filters, account details, and create new solutions.


5.1 Filtering and searching solutions

At the top of the page, you can:
  1. Search for a specific solution by name using the search bar
  2. Filter solutions using the All Apps dropdown
  3. Create a new solution
Filter options
These options help you narrow down large collections of applications, BI & Analytics, and integration flows, and speed up navigation.
  1. Applications - Filter applications based on ownership and deployment status.
  2. BI & Analytics - Filter analytics reports based on ownership.
  3. Integration Flows - Filter integration flows based on their status and ownership.
Main filter
Sub-filter
Description
Applications
All
Displays all applications available in your account.

Created by me
Shows only the applications you have created.

Shared with me
Shows the applications that have been shared with you.

Production Only
Lists applications that are currently deployed in the production environment.

Installed apps
Displays applications installed from the Marketplace or shared with you.
BI & Analytics
All
Displays all BI and Analytics solutions accessible to you.

Created by me
Shows only the BI and Analytics solutions created by you.
Integrations
All
Displays all integration flows in your account.

Live
Shows integration flows that are currently active and running.

Paused
Lists integration flows that are temporarily paused.

Draft
Displays integration flows that are saved but not yet activated.

Owned
Shows integration flows owned by you.

Installed
Displays integration flows installed from external sources or shared with you.

5.2 Creating a new solution

The + Create Solution button at the top-right corner allows you to build applications, analytics, and integration flows.
  1. Create an application - Create an app solution based on your business requirements. You can create an application using Zia AI app builder, new application from scratch, install from prebuilt gallery apps, or import a file to create an application. Learn more
  2. Create BI & Analytics - Create an analytics solution in the form of insightful reports based on your business requirements. Learn more
  3. Create an integration flow - Create a flow solution (powered using Zoho Flow), an integration platform, that connects your app with other cloud services and automate data exchange through customizable workflows. Learn more

5.3 Managing an existing solution

Each solution card includes quick-access options as listed below. These options allow you to efficiently update or maintain individual applications, BI & Analytics, and integration flows.
Applications:
  1. Ellipsis (triple-dot) icon options - These include additional actions, such as duplicate, manage application summary, disable, and delete. Learn more
  2. More - This button has the following two options.
    1. Settings: Clicking this takes you to the Application Settings page where you can make application level configurations.
    2. Add an app to Environment: If environments were not enabled during application creation, the application can still be added to environments later through the Solutions or Environments page. Learn how
      1. Note:
        1. This option will be available only for non-environment apps i.e apps not added to environments.
        2. Developers previously added to this application will be removed while the app is being added to the environment. They can be re-added to the development and stage environments later as required.
  3. Edit - This takes you to the edit mode of your application where you can modify your app as required.
BI & Analytics:
There are two options available here.
  1. Rename
  2. Delete
Integration Flow:
There are two options available here.
  1. Duplicate
  2. Delete
Additionally, you can toggle the ON/OFF flow status button.
Info
Info: Flow status refers to the active and the execution status of your individual workflows. Learn more

6. Top navigation bar

This portion provides quick access to global actions and account controls, including workspace switching, profile settings, and accessing other Zoho services in a click.


6.1 Switch between workspaces

Zoho Creator allows you to work across multiple workspaces from a single account. Workspaces are where you create and manage all your solutions in your dashboard. When you create and sign in to your Creator account for the first time, you’ll be taken to the Homepage, which serves as your default workspace. As the account owner, you are the super admin of this workspace and by default, it displays all the solutions you have created within that workspace.
You can add users to the applications in your workspace and share those applications with them. When these users access your workspace, they can view only the applications which have been shared with them in that workspace. All users can easily switch between workspaces and choose one as your default for faster access.
Info
Info: Your organization namespace is same as workspace name and you can edit it as required.
Accessing the Workspace switcher
The workspace switcher is available in the top navigation bar. To switch between workspaces from the workspace list:
  1. Click the workspace name to view all workspaces you have access to. 
  2. Select any workspace to switch to it instantly. The selected workspace becomes active for your current session.

You can change your default workspace at any time by selecting a different workspace and setting it as the default.
Notes
Note:
  1. All users who are part of multiple workspaces can switch between workspaces that they have access to.
  2. When there's no workspaces other than the default workspace, the workspace switcher wouldn't be shown.
Why use a default workspace?
  1. Saves time by opening your most-used workspace automatically
  2. Reduces manual switching when managing multiple applications
  3. Helps maintain focus on your primary set of applications
Info
Info: Only one workspace can be set as default at a time.
Hover over a workspace in the list and click the Make as a default workspace icon. The default workspace is indicated with a green check-mark.

Once set, this workspace will automatically open and apps in this workspace will be listed every time you sign in to Zoho Creator.
Info
Tip: Ensure you’re in the correct workspace and periodically review admin access before making configuration changes, managing users, or performing deployments to prevent unintended changes or permission issues..

6.2 View account details

Click your profile picture at the top right to access your account details, support resources, and other essential actions.



S.No
Title
Description
1.
Profile Information
Displays your account profile details, including your profile picture, name, registered email address, and unique user ID. You can access your Account Settings by clicking My Account to edit your profile details.

2.
Help
Provides quick access to Creator help resources, including guides and documentation to assist you in using the application effectively.

API Doc
Redirects you to the API documentation, where you can explore available APIs, authentication methods, and usage details for integrations and development.

3. 
Mobile Apps

Provides quick links to download the mobile applications from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
4.
Sign Out

Logs you out of your Zoho account (all signed-in services) securely.

6.3 Zoho App Launcher

The app launcher allows you to quickly access all Zoho products associated with your account. The listed apps are organized by business function to help you navigate easily across products. You can use the search bar at the top to quickly find and open a specific Zoho product by its name. 



Availability indicator
A green check mark next to a listed Zoho product indicates that it is available for use in your account. This is based on your pricing plan.

7. Bottom panel

The bottom panel serves as a unified productivity hub, giving you quick access to essential tools. From here, you can collaborate with your organization users through chats and channels, manage contacts, capture notes, and use smart search to find information instantly. Designed for convenience, it keeps communication, organization, and capturing of ideas just a click away, so you can stay focused while getting more done.


7.1 Smart chat

The left side of the bottom bar provides quick access to communication tools such as Zoho Cliq's chat, channels, and contacts, enabling seamless collaboration within your workspace. This space ensures that you can communicate, share updates, and stay connected without navigating away from the dashboard.



Notes
Note:
  1. The bottom communication bar will be available by default with few default channels.
  2. Once you start adding users to your Creator account, they will be listed under the Contacts tab. Chats with these users will be displayed under the Chats tab.
  1. Chats: Here, you can engage in one-on-one or group conversations with team members. You can:
    1. View your recent chats
    2. Send and receive messages in real-time
    3. Share files, links, and screenshots
    4. Switch between active conversations instantly
  2. Channels: This section displays all your topic-based or project-based conversation groups. Channels help streamline communication and keep discussions organized by purpose or team. Here, you can:
    1. Browse all available channels
    2. Join or leave channels
    3. Participate in threaded discussions
    4. Receive updates relevant to specific projects or topics
  3. Contacts: This section lists all members in your organization, making it easy to initiate conversations or collaborations. You can:
    1. View your full list of colleagues
    2. Search for specific users
    3. Start a direct chat or invite users to a group
    4. Check availability indicators

7.2. Help

Zoho Creator comes with a built-in, intuitive help widget in which all the help options have been consolidated. This help assistant provides you with timely assistance and necessary information. You can get immediate help from a single interface, using whatever method you like best. The available options are:


  1. Zia suggestions - Smart suggestions from Zia or search help documentation articles for immediate answers.
  2. Call us - View a phone number which you can call.
  3. Chat - Start a live chat with an agent.
  4. Support - Submit a support request using a contact form.

7.3 Notebook

The Zoho Notebook popup window in the bottom panel appears upon clicking the notebook icon. It provides quick access to capture ideas without leaving your current workspace.



From this compact window, you can instantly create a new note, add a to-do checklist, upload files, or attach images. You can instantly save your created notes organized under My Notes, view existing notes, as well as view notes shared with you. This allows you to jot down thoughts, tasks, or references while continuing your work seamlessly.
  1. Understand application
  2. Create an application from scratch
  3. Install an application from gallery
  4. Create an application by importing data
  5. Create an application by importing a .ds file
  6. Before creating applications
  7. After creating applications
See previous
What's next
See previous
Before exploring further, start with Setting up and managing your Creator account to get familiar with the basics.
What's next
Next, explore Solutions in Zoho Creator to understand how applications, analytics, and integrations are built and managed.