2. What is the difference between the Canvas builder and module builder in Zoho CRM?

Often when you navigate to your default record detail page, you may find it not only uninteresting but also difficult to zero in on the information you need. The way it is now, the detail page has several sections and demands long scrolls. You have the business card section, various fields, and related lists one below the other. While it is definitely informative and excellent in terms of functionality, you can't deny that it looks boring and becomes a hassle for someone to scroll and navigate to the section that is relevant for them to work with.

With Canvas, you can take complete control of data organization on your CRM pages.

• You can enhance the visual representation of data by reorganizing sections and using the myriad of design options.

• You can keep your page relevant by adding just the required fields and action buttons.

• You can use images and illustrations wherever required and completely redesign the page to make the data look attractive and interesting.

The major advantage is that your teams will find it easier to navigate their way around the detail pages, and quickly find the info needed. With visually pleasing design, icons and images, you will also be able to grasp the essence of the complete record information at a single glance.

4. I have created a simple detail page with Canvas Builder. Can I switch back to the default page at any time?

Yes, you can switch back to default page at any instant by using the Canvas Assignment.

 

When you design a new record detail page using Canvas, you will be offered an option to assign the new page to the desired profiles. For each profile you can select which view is applicable — whether the Standard (Default) View or the new user created canvas view. 

 

The Canvas you created will be activated only for the profiles you have selected here.  You can always deactivate the view at any point and revert to the Standard View of the record detail page if you so wish. 

To access Canvas Assignment:

1. In your Zoho CRM account, go to Setup.

2. Under Customization, click Canvas Builder.

3. In the Canvas page, Choose from List View and Detail View.

4. Click on Create List Page/ Create Record Detail Page.

Alternatively you can access Canvas Assignment, while working inside a Canvas builder.

6. How do I add sections in the Canvas Builder?

To add sections inside Canvas Builder:

1. In your Canvas Builder, go to the Elements component.

2. Drag and drop the Section element into the builder.

You can further add required fields into the section, and resize it as desired.  

7. What are elements in the Canvas Builder?

Elements in Zoho CRM Canvas indicates the various options for the representation of data pertaining to a specific record.

The Elements available in the Canvas Builder are as follows: 

i) Section: A simple box or "section" hold a bunch of fields.

ii) Table: Rows and columns of data

iii) Tabs: Multiple sections combined in a single element with switchable headers or "tabs".

iv) Text: An element where you can type your own heading/description on the page.

v) Icon: Visual representation of data.
Example: Use a Business Card icon against a section that represents contact information of a customer. Or use a "Stethoscope" icon against the heart rate and pulse data of a patient. Browse from the list of icons and use what's relevant for you.

vi) Line: A separator of sorts that helps you organize data on the page.

8. Is the Canvas builder view applicable on mobile app?

You cannot drag and drop fields in bulk.

 

As an alternative, you can add the All Fields option from the Tab element, which contains all the fields in the module. Even if you have missed out on adding any field elsewhere in the Canvas, a user can still navigate to the All Fields tab and access the data they need. 

You cannot drag and drop fields in bulk.

 

As an alternative, you can add the All Fields option from the Tab element, which contains all the fields in the module. Even if you have missed out on adding any field elsewhere in the Canvas, a user can still navigate to the All Fields tab and access the data they need. 

                                                         

14. If I import records in bulk, will those imported records be seen in the Canvas View automatically?

Yes, you can clone a canvas view.

To clone a Canvas view:

1. In your Zoho CRM account, go to Setup> Customization > Canvas.

2. Against the canvas in question, click the "Ellipsis" icon.

3. Select Clone. 

16. What are icons and where do I use them? Suggest a few examples.

Icon in Zoho CRM Canvas, are simple visual illustrations that can be used to complement your data. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Using an icon against different sections of data, or a single field will convey the essence of the information about a record easily, at a quick glance. Here are some examples inserted in appropriate sections as shown in the image below: Properties (building icon), Deals (Dollar icon) and 

Star icon (to indicate preferences).

18. Is there any action that I should configure for the buttons, or is it all pre-defined?

24. Will we be able to use Canvas and design it for use as a Landing Page for clients to access?

25. Can the page design be customized for the list view and the edit layout?

26. Is it possible to drag a group of fields into one section?

27. Can we reuse styles? For example, Is it possible to style a button and apply the same style to other buttons as well?

28. How to add a task? For example, a task to set up a meeting. I do not see any action buttons to do this.

By default, the actions New Task, New Meeting, and New Call are found under the ellipsis (the three dot menu) that is available in the right corner of the Activities related list.

If you want to place these actions separately as buttons in the Open Activities related list, do the following when you are building the page in the Canvas builder:

1. Right-click inside the Open Activities related list's title section
2. Select Insert
   
3. Select the action that you want as a separate button.
   

29. How does the canvas view deal with differing screen resolutions, does it resize dynamically?

Canvas will adjust accordingly to the screen resolution. For this, you need to select the component and check the Auto box next to height and width option.

31. Can arrows key be used for moving the elements inside the Canvas builder?

33. Is it possible to export a Canvas design?

Yes, you can resize and change color and styling for the icons. 

To resize, after adding an icon, drag the corner of the icon to resize it as you wish. To change it's color and styling, click on the icon and you will view the Style properties on the left. From here you can customize the color, background, shadow, padding, and radius as you want for your page design.

35. Is co-designing possible in Canvas? For example, can I add my users and designers to collaborate on a specific design?

36. What is conditional styling in Canvas? What are all the elements for which I can apply the conditional styling?

Yes, you can apply an existing canvas rule to the elements such as fields, section, field, tab items, image, and related list.

To apply an existing Canvas rule:

1. Inside the Canvas Builder, choose an element.
   
2. Click the "+" icon.
   
3. In the Canvas Rule pop-up that opens, choose the required rule from the list and click Apply. This way the chosen canvas rule gets applied to that element.
   

38. I wish to edit the criteria of an existing canvas rule. Is it possible to alter this?

Yes, you can alter the criteria of the Canvas rule you had created. Remember that, once the criteria is edited, the updated rule will work for all the elements it is applied for.

To edit a canvas rule

1. Go to Setup > Customization > Canvas.
   
2. In the Canvas listing page  click the Manage Canvas Rule button.
   
3. Now in the list of canvas rules that gets listed, click Edit from the ellipsis icon.

39. I no longer use a few canvas rules. Can I delete them from the Canvas builder?

Yes, you can delete a canvas rule if you want to. Note that, deleting a rule removes the styling from all the Canvas elements associated with that rule.

To delete a canvas rule:

1. Go to Setup > Customization > Canvas.
   
2. In the Canvas listing page, click the Manage Canvas Rule button.
   
3. In the list of canvas rules that gets listed, click Delete from the ellipsis icon.

40. Can I change a field's background color based on a criteria?

Yes, you can use the Canvas Rules to change a field's background based on a specific criteria. Besides the background, you can style the elements (field, section, related list, etc) based on specific conditions. For this you need to create a new rule inside the Canvas builder.

To create a Canvas Rule:

1. In the Canvas builder, click on the field you wish to change the color for.
   
2. In the properties that appear on the left, click the "+" icon.
   
3. Click Create Canvas Rule.
   
4. In the popup that appears, name the rule and choose the condition.
   
5. Keep adding conditions by clicking the "+" and save once you are done. 
   

48. Will the pre-built templates be made available for customization? Can we use templates to make adjustments, similar to that of adjusting CRM modules, or do we need to build all canvases from scratch?

50. If we wanted the values to be aligned, can that be done?

Yes, alignment can be done for the values. Select them inside the Canvas builder and use the alignment options available on the left panel under the Style tab. 

Yes, alignment can be done for the values. Select them inside the Canvas builder and use the alignment options available on the left panel under the Style tab. 

51. Will Zoho CRM Canvas also include the Zoho Finance module that is integrated from Books?

Yes, we support finance modules in the Canvas Builder. You can find them under the Related Lists section in the builder.

52. Is Canvas available for Client Portal as well?

Yes it is. You can design a Canvas view and assign it to the Client Portal profile in the Canvas Assignment section. 

To access Canvas Assignment:

1. Go to the required Canvas builder.

2. Click the Canvas Assignment button on the top-right corner.

53. Can you show how to add the record timeline to the Canvas?

In your Canvas builder, go to the Data component. Under the Related List section, you will find Timeline. You may also use the search bar to look up the Timeline component quickly. You may either drag and drop Timeline component into the editor or insert inside a tab. 

In your Canvas builder, go to the Data component. Under the Related List section, you will find Timeline. You may also use the search bar to look up the Timeline component quickly. You may either drag and drop Timeline component into the editor or insert inside a tab. 

54. Are there any limitations to use Canvas for the CRM Portal functionality?