Understand Connectors | Zoho Creator Help

Understand Connectors

Note: The existing version of PayPal, PayflowPro, and Payments Pro has been deprecated on 26th September, 2024 and none of the payment transactions will be processed after this date. To ensure uninterrupted payment processing, migrate to the latest version. Learn more

Overview

Connectors allow Zoho Creator applications to communicate with third-party services. It contains the properties required to connect to a particular service and reduces the complexity, thereby, establishing a secure connection.

Let us consider a situation where you must connect with PayPal to create a payment workflow in your application. Conventionally, you must write lines of code describing the required parameters for API calls. As PayPal has OAuth2 authentication, you need to regenerate the access tokens using the refresh token whenever the token expires. This entire process can be automated using a connector.

The connector is configured with the required parameters to create the connection with the service. It regenerates the token automatically when the token expires. Once a connector is created, it can be reused to create multiple connections with that service. It makes the authorization parameters secure, as they will be accessible only to the admins of the Creator account.

In Zoho Creator the connectors are distinguished as:
  1. Built-in Connectors
  2. Custom Connectors

Built-in Connectors

Zoho Creator includes a set of connectors that have been preconfigured with the Zoho Creator applications. These connectors perform REST operations from the cloud services. As they are preconfigured, they are simple to use and enable you to create a connection quickly.

NotesNote: The connections created using the built-in connectors can be used in Data sources, Deluge scripts in Workflows, and Payment workflows. 

List of supported Built-in Connectors

Type of service

Description

Service

Supported areas

Availability across DCs

US

EU

AU

IN

CN

JP

CA

SA

Accounting & Invoicing

Create invoices/financial reports in the required accounting service when a workflow is triggered in Zoho Creator.

QuickBooks

Datasources & Workflows

Expensify

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Books

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Expense

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Invoice

Datasources & Workflows

Billy

Workflows

TaxJar

Workflows

Artificial Intelligence

Leverage AI capabilities within Zoho Creator using the required AI service.

OpenAI

Workflows

CRM & Contact Management

Add and manage customer information in the required CRM service from within Creator.

Salesforce

Datasources & Workflows

Copper

Datasources & Workflows

Salesmate

Datasources & Workflows

Streak

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho CRM

Datasources

Google Contacts

Workflows

Insightly

Workflows

Vtiger

Workflows

EngageBay

Workflows

Agile CRM

Workflows

Capsule

Workflows

Collaboration

Communicate and collaborate with customers via Zoho Creator using the preferred collaborative service.

Zoho Cliq

Workflows

WhatsApp

Workflows

Zoho Connect

Workflows

Telegram

Workflows

Customer Support

Manage and analyze support tickets in the required customer support service from within Creator.

Teamwork Desk

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Assist

Datasources & Workflows

LiveAgent

Workflows

Groove

Workflows

Cloud Storage

Store, retrieve, and manage files in your preferred cloud storage service via Zoho Creator.

Google Drive

Workflows

Database Management

Store, manage, and access structured data efficiently in Zoho Creator using the preferred database service.

Airtable

Workflows

Email

Send automated emails, manage email templates, and trigger notifications through your preferred email service directly from Zoho Creator.

Outlook

Workflows

Human Resource

Manage HR processes in your preferred HR management service directly from Zoho Creator.

Zoho Recruit

Datasources

Zoho People

Datasources & Workflows

IT Service Management

Automate IT service operations in the preferred ITSM platform through Zoho Creator.

JumpCloud

Workflows

Statuspage

Workflows

Sentry

Workflows

Notes

Create, update, and organize notes in your preferred notes service directly from Zoho Creator.

OneNotes

Workflows

Payment Processing

Accept online payments from customers.

Authorize.Net

Payment workflow

Forte

Payment workflow

PayPal

Payment workflow

PayTabs

Payment workflow

Razorpay

Payment workflow

Stripe

Payment workflow

Paytm

Payment workflow

Project Management & Time Tracking

Add, manage, and track tasks using the supported services from within Creator.

Forecast

Datasources & Workflows

Jira Cloud

Datasources & Workflows

Teamwork Projects

Datasources & Workflows

Toggl Track

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Projects

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Orchestly

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho BugTracker

Datasources & Workflows

Asana

Workflows

ClickUp

Workflows

Monday.com

Workflows

Bitbucket

Workflows

Clockify

Workflows

Everhour

Workflows

Wrike

Workflows

SMS

Send SMS notifications such as appointment reminders, transaction details, status updates on orders, and device approvals.

Twilio

Workflows

Clickatell

Workflows

Hoiio

Workflows

ClockworkSMS

Workflows

SMS-Magic

Workflows

Kaleyra

Workflows

Zoho

Used for secure access to other Zoho applications.

Zoho OAuth

Workflows

Zoho Sign

Workflows

Zoho Voice

Workflows

Zoho SalesIQ

Workflows

Zoho Notebook

Workflows

Zoho Vault

Workflows

Zoho Learn

Workflows

Zoho Workerly

Workflows

Zoho Mail

Workflows

Zoho FSM

Workflows

Zoho Workdrive

Workflows

Zoho Sprints

Workflows

Catalyst By Zoho

Workflows

Zoho Tables

Workflows

Zoho IOT

Workflows

Zoho Contracts

Workflows

Zoho Shifts

Workflows

Bigin by Zoho CRM

Workflows

TrainerCentral

Wrokflows

Calendars & Scheduling

Track schedules from within Creator.

Lucid Meetings

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Calendar

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Bookings

Workflows

Zoho Meetings

Workflows

Google Calendar

Workflows

Acuity Scheduling

Workflows

Documents & Spreadsheets

Add and manage data in document management services from within Creator.

Zoho Sheet

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Writer

Workflows

Box

Workflows

Dropbox

Workflows

Excel

Workflows

Ecommerce

Manage data in ecommerce services from within Creator.

BigCommerce

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Commerce

Datasources & Workflows

WooCommerce

Workflows

AfterShip

Workflows

ShipStation

Workflows

Event Management

Create and fetch data in event management services by triggering Creator workflows.

Zoho Backstage

Datasources & Workflows

Eventbrite

Workflows

Inventory Management

Add, manage, and analyze data in inventory management services from within Creator.

EZOfficeInventory

Datasources & Workflows

Marketing Campaigns

Send and get data from campaign services using Zoho Creator workflows.

ActiveCampaign

Datasources & Workflows

ActiveTrail

Datasources & Workflows

ConvertKit

Datasources & Workflows

Moosend

Datasources & Workflows

Zoho Campaigns

Datasources & Workflows

SmartReach

Workflows

Dashly

Workflows

Klaviyo

Workflows

Multimedia

Upload, manage, and integrate images, audio, and video files into preferred multimedia services using Zoho Creator.

Giphy

Workflows

Dashboards & Reports

Incorporate dashboards from supported services in Zoho Creator.

Zoho Analytics

Datasources & Workflows

Subscription Management

Create and manage subscriptions from the Zoho Creator workflows.

Zoho Billings

Workflows

Chargebee

Workflows

ChartMogul

Workflows

ERP

Streamline business operations from Zoho Creator using the preferred ERP service for managing resources, inventory, and processes.

SAP OData

Workflows

Workday Finance Management

Workflows

Workday Human Capital Management

Workflows

Netsuite

Workflows

Task Management

Manage tasks using your preferred task management service directly from Zoho Creator.

Google Tasks

Workflows

Microsoft To Do

Workflows

Miscellaneous

Integrate with varied services and features that add significant support to your business needs.

OpenWeather

Workflows

JotForm

Workflows

TinyURL

Workflows

Clearout

Workflows

Better Proposals

Workflows

Apify

Workflows

eSignatures

Workflows

Splitwise

Workflows

Envoy

Workflows

EZRentOut

Workflows

     

Custom Connectors

NotesNote: This feature is only available in C6.

Custom Connector enables you to integrate your Zoho Creator application with other third-party cloud services which are not available in Built-in Connectors. You can configure your own connectors for services with Basic, API Key and OAuth2 authentication.


Once a connector is created and connection is established, you can use it to perform REST operations on the target service from Zoho Creator. For example, to access your Google Drive account using Google's REST APIs, you can create a custom Google connector, establish a connection and connect to it, and use this connection to perform the specified integrations to your connected Google account.

Flow of creating a Custom Connector



Obtain API from the target service

In order to create a custom connector, you need an API to communicate with the target service. These API's can be:
  1. Public - Publicly available on the internet. For example, Slack, Shopify, Dropbox etc.
  2. Private - Visible only to your network to use within an organization or a group.

Describe the API 

Once you get the API with the authentication access, you need to describe them to create a custom connector. You can specify the API parameters in the custom connector builder while creating the custom connector.

Secure the Custom Connector 

You can use one of these standard authentication methods to secure your connectors.
  1. Basic authentication - This method allows a connection to third-party APIs by authenticating with a username and password.
  1. API key authentication - This method allows a connection to third-party APIs by authenticating with an API key.
  1. OAuth1 authentication - In OAuth1, the user grants permission to access their resources in the third-party applications without sharing their credentials. The Creator application can use an access token provided by the third-party application to access the user's resources. OAuth1 is efficient only for connecting with web-based applications.
  1. OAuth2 authentication - In OAuth2, the user will be redirected to the third-party API's page, where access to protected resources is granted without necessarily revealing the long-term credentials or the identity by exchanging an access token for a request token. OAuth2 consists of scopes that allow Creator applications to request specific permissions from the user and are more compatible with both web and non web-based applications. 
  2. Bearer Token This authentication type allows connecting to third-party APIs by authenticating with a secure bearer token.
  3. AWS - This authentication type allows connecting to AWS services using Signature Version 4 authentication.

Use a Custom Connector in your app

You'll need to create a connection to your API and use that connection in your app to call any operations that you've exposed in your custom connector. Click here to learn how to create connections.
NotesNote: Connections using Custom Connectors should be invoked only using the Deluge invoke URL task, mentioning the respective action API, for any specific scenario/workflow. 

Related topics

  1. Create Custom Connector
  2. Manage Custom Connectors
  3. Understand Connections
  4. Create and Authorize Connections

      Create. Review. Publish.

      Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

      Get Started Now


        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







                              Quick LinksWorkflow AutomationData Collection
                              Web FormsEnterpriseOnline Data Collection Tool
                              Embeddable FormsBankingBegin Data Collection
                              Interactive FormsWorkplaceData Collection App
                              CRM FormsCustomer ServiceAccessible Forms
                              Digital FormsMarketingForms for Small Business
                              HTML FormsEducationForms for Enterprise
                              Contact FormsE-commerceForms for any business
                              Lead Generation FormsHealthcareForms for Startups
                              Wordpress FormsCustomer onboardingForms for Small Business
                              No Code FormsConstructionRSVP tool for holidays
                              Free FormsTravelFeatures for Order Forms
                              Prefill FormsNon-Profit
                              Intake FormsLegalMobile App
                              Form DesignerHRMobile Forms
                              Card FormsFoodOffline Forms
                              Assign FormsPhotographyMobile Forms Features
                              Translate FormsReal EstateKiosk in Mobile Forms
                              Electronic Forms
                              Drag & drop form builder

                              Notification Emails for FormsAlternativesSecurity & Compliance
                              Holiday FormsGoogle Forms alternative GDPR
                              Form to PDFJotform alternativeHIPAA Forms
                              Email FormsEncrypted Forms

                              Secure Forms

                              WCAG

                                      Create. Review. Publish.

                                      Write, edit, collaborate on, and publish documents to different content management platforms.

                                      Get Started Now






                                                        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

                                                              Use cases

                                                              Make the most of Zoho Desk with the use cases.

                                                               
                                                                

                                                              eBooks

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

                                                               
                                                                

                                                              Videos

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

                                                               
                                                                

                                                              Webinar

                                                              Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho Desk basics, from customization to automation and more

                                                               
                                                                
                                                              • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                              • Meetups


                                                              • Ask the Experts


                                                              • Kbase


                                                              • Resources


                                                              • Glossary


                                                              • Desk Marketplace


                                                              • MVP Corner

                                                                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 Demo

                                                                                                  Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                                                  REGISTER NOW


                                                                                                    Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                                    Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                                    Get Started Now









                                                                                                                        • Related Articles

                                                                                                                        • Understanding connectors

                                                                                                                          1. What does this page cover? Learn about connectors and the list of built-in connectors supported in Developer Console for connecting your application with Zoho and third-party services before distributing your apps. 2. Availability Connectors can ...
                                                                                                                        • Manage Custom Connectors

                                                                                                                          Note: Custom connectors are only available for users in Creator 6. Manage Custom Connectors Note: The existing version of PayPal, PayflowPro, and Payments Pro has been deprecated on 26th September, 2024 and none of the payment transactions will be ...
                                                                                                                        • Understand Connections

                                                                                                                          This help page is for users in Creator 6. If you are in the older version (Creator 5), click here. Know your Creator version What Does This Page Cover? Learn about connections and their types that can be used to integrate your Creator application ...
                                                                                                                        • Understand Payment Workflows

                                                                                                                          Note: The existing version of PayPal, PayflowPro, and Payments Pro has been deprecated on 26th September, 2024 and none of the payment transactions will be processed after this date. To ensure uninterrupted payment processing, migrate to the latest ...
                                                                                                                        • Google connectors

                                                                                                                          Overview Zoho Creator provides built-in connectors for various popular Google services. These connectors help you automate workflows, sync data, and perform various actions from within Zoho Creator. The different connectors supported for Google ...
                                                                                                                          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