How to use data from related modules in Zoho CRM or Bigin to generate documents

How to use data from related modules in Zoho CRM or Bigin to generate documents

Overview

Zoho Writer allows you to generate documents using data from multiple modules in your data source. Whether you're pulling data from modules in Zoho CRM, Zoho Creator, or other data sources, you can merge related information like deals, contacts, and products into a single dynamic document.

A few documents where this will be useful:
  1. Sales quote that includes both deal and product details
  2. Contracts containing client and billing information
  3. Reports combining data from multiple related records

Prerequisites

Ensure that the related fields are configured as subforms to the primary modules in your data source.

Steps

Using merge templates in Zoho Writer

  1. Open your merge template in Zoho Writer.
  2. Go to Automate tab --> Configure.
  3. In the Configure Template panel, choose your preferred data source and the module. List of supported data sources in Writer's merge templates.
  4. You'll see the fields from the selected module in the Main Fields panel under Manage Fields. To see the subform fields, click the Subforms panel.
  5. Insert the fields from the multiple modules into your template. 
  6. Preview the template to verify that the merged data appears correctly from all modules.

Using merge templates in Zoho apps

  1. Login to your Zoho CRM, Zoho Recruit, Zoho People, or Bigin organization.
  2. Click Settings > Mail Merge and choose your preferred merge template.
  3. Follow from the 2nd step of the previous section.

Note

If your data source is Zoho CRM or Bigin, you can also fetch related data from other modules through lookup fields. These lookup fields will be available as part of the main form fields.

Troubleshooting

  1. Subform fields are not appearing in the panel
Ensure that the related fields are configured as subforms in your data source. Also, verify if you have the necessary permissions to access the related modules in the data source.
  1. Merge preview showing blank data for fields
Check if the record in your data source has entries for the fields you have added in the merge template.
Getting started with document merge in Zoho Writer
List of data sources supported in Writer's merge templates
How to create dynamic lists and tables using repeat blocks
Mail merge output options
Lookup fields in Zoho CRM and Bigin