FAQs on Notification APIs

FAQs on Notification APIs

Hello all!!
Welcome back to another post in the Kaizen series!

In this post, we will address the most frequently asked questions about Zoho CRM's Notification APIs from the Zoho CRM Developer Community Forum.



Notification API

This API allows you to subscribe to events such as creating, updating, and deleting a record in a module through a webhook URL. Each of these actions triggers a corresponding HTTP request to your webhook.

1. How can I turn off related record notifications when using the Notification API?

Answer: 
When enabling the notification, you can pass "notify_on_related_action": false in the input data. This will prevent a notification from being sent for related records (like the account record) when the contact record is updated. If this parameter is not included, the default value is true, meaning related records will still receive notifications.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. What is the expiry duration for a channel, and how can I update it when it expires?

Answer:
  • From V2 to V3: The default channel expiry time is one hour, with a maximum limit of one day.
  • From V4, the default expiry time remains one hour, but the maximum limit is one week.
To continue receiving notifications, you must resubscribe the channel before its expiry using the Enable Notification API.
Example:
If your channel expiry time is set to one day, the best practice is to re-subscribe every 23 hours and 55 minutes (just under 24 hours). If you do not specify an expiry time during subscription, the channel will expire within one hour by default.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. A few modules have not received any notifications, even though we have already subscribed to them. How should we handle this?

Answer:
We suggest updating the notification for the modules where you are facing issues and checking again.
If this does not resolve the problem, please share the following information with support at support@zohocrm.com, and our experts will assist you further.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. How can I get my notify URL since I have subscribed to multiple channels for different modules using the Notification API?

Answer:
You can use the channel ID obtained during the notification subscription to retrieve the notify URL through the GET Notification Details API. The response will provide the module-specific notify URL, along with other details like return_affected_fields, resource_name, channel_expiry, and more. Explore further by using our Notification API.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. How can I use the Notification API to get notification when a deal is created or edited?
Answer: You can use the Notification API to subscribe to events like creation or editing of deals.
Note that the notification channel expires after a maximum of one day / one week (channel_expiry),
so you must update it regularly to keep the notification alive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. I am not receiving notifications after updating my configuration using the PUT - Update Details of a Notification API. How can I ensure proper notifications in Zoho CRM?

Answer:
The "events" JSON array is mandatory when updating your notification configuration using the PUT - Update Details of a Notification API. Ensure you include the "events" JSON array with valid data in the input data, along with respective channel_id and channel_expiry keys.

For updating specific details, you can use the PATCH - Update Specific Information of a Notification API, where the "events" key is not mandatory.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Does the token field become null when I update a notification using the PATCH request?

Answer:
In the PATCH request for updating notification details, only the fields provided in the input data are updated. Fields not included in the input will retain their existing values. 

                     PUT Method

                       PATCH method

The  PUT request replaces the entire notification details for the specified channel_id with the information provided in the input data.

The PATCH request updates only the specific fields included in the input data, while preserving all other existing notification details.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Why shouldn't  I delete the current channel using "channel_id" with "HTTP method DELETE", and then create a new one with the parameters I need?

Answer:
Deleting and recreating notifications in Zoho CRM is not recommended, as it may result in missed notifications for data changes that occur during the gap between deletion and recreation. Istead, you should update the expiry time regularly, add new events, or enable new notifications using the existing APIs (e.g., PATCH or PUT).
However, if you no longer need a notification channel, you can use the DELETE method to remove it completely. For selectively deleting certain events from an existing notification, use PATCH call.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Can I get notifications when specific actions, such as updates or deletions, occur on certain fields? How can I achieve this?

Answer:
Yes, you can receive notifications only for specific fields when they are updated. Use the "notification_condition" JSON array key in your input to set conditions for these fields. This support is available from Zoho CRM API version 6. Refer to the Enable Notifications API document for details on setting up field-specific conditions.

Sample Input:


{
    "watch": [
        {
            "channel_id": "10000",
            "events": [
                "Leads.all"
            ],
            "notification_condition": [
                {
                    "type": "field_selection",
                    "module": {
                        "api_name": "Leads",
                        "id": "554023000000000131"
                    },
                    "field_selection": {
                        "field": {
                            "api_name": "Company",
                            "id": "554023000000000525"
                        }
                    }
                }
            ],
            "channel_expiry": "2024-12-31T09:58:09+05:30",
            "token": "leads.all.notif",
            "return_affected_field_values": true,
            "notify_url": "https://webhook.site/2c9a0xxc20fa9"
        }
    ]
}

This JSON input sets a notification channel for monitoring all actions related to the Leads module in Zoho CRM, specifically focusing on changes to the "Company" field. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. How can I know which fields have been updated and what their new values are?

Answer: 
By default, notifications do not include details about the updated fields. To know information about fields that were modified along with their new values, set "return_affected_values": true in your input body when enabling notifications. 

Sample Input:


{
    "watch": [
        {
            "channel_id": "10000",
            "events": [
                "Leads.edit"
            ],
            "notification_condition": [
                {
                    "type": "field_selection",
                    "module": {
                        "api_name": "Leads"
                    },
                    "field_selection": {
                        "field": {
                            "api_name": "Company"
                        }
                    }
                }
            ],
            "token": "leads.all.notif",
            "return_affected_field_values": true,
        }
    ]
}


Sample Response JSON Notification:


{
  "server_time": 1735038997457,
  "affected_values": [
    {
      "record_id": "5725767000005053017",
      "values": {
        "Company": "Tech Info"
      }
    }
  ],
  "query_params": {},
  "module": "Leads",
  "ids": [
    "5725767000005053017"
  ],
  "affected_fields": [
    {
      "5725767000005053017": [
        "Company"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "operation": "update",
  "channel_id": "10000",
  "token": "leads.all.notif"
}

In the above response,  the "affected_fields" contains a list of the fields that were modified and "affected_values" contains the new values for the modified fields, along with the respective record details.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. I am trying to use the Zoho Notification API. I can successfully enable notifications, but I don't receive any notifications when an event occurs.

Answer:
  • Ensure that your webhook URL is active and accessible. If it is down, Zoho CRM cannot send notifications about data updates.
  • Check if the notification channel has expired. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Can I receive notifications if a subform or multi-select lookup (MxN) field in a module is modified or updated?

Answer: 
Yes, you can receive notifications when a subform or MxN field is updated. Though subforms and MxN fields are fields in a module, the system internally creates a separate module for each. As a result, subforms and MxN fields are treated as independent modules. 

To enable instant notifications for actions performed on these modules, use the respective API names of the subform or MxN (linking module) in the input body.

Sample Input:


{
    "watch": [
        {
            "channel_id": "10000",
            "events": [
                "Project_Details.all"  //Project_Details represents the API name of the subform
            ],
            "return_affected_field_values": true  
        }
    ]
}

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


13. How is the Notification API useful for data synchronization with a third-party application?

Answer: 
Refer to our Kaizen #122 for a detailed explanation of data synchronization  between Zoho CRM and third-party application using the Notification API and the Bulk Read API with a third-party application.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. I am facing delays in receiving notification responses for bulk records. In what cases do notification delays occur, and how can I ensure faster notifications for bulk record actions?

Answer: 
When performing bulk actions (e.g., record creation or updates), if your processing speed exceeds 100 milliseconds per notification (e.g., 500 to 800 milliseconds), it will result in notification delays.
To avoid delays, ensure that your processing speed remains below 100 milliseconds per notification.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note that the above-mentioned queries were frequently asked in the Zoho CRM Developer Community Forum and most of them were addressed by the Zoho CRM Support team. This post aims to put them all in one place and add additional questions with their solutions.


We trust that this post meets your needs and is helpful.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com


Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts!



Cheers!!!

✨Wishing you a fantastic year ahead in 2025 ✨



      • Recent Topics

      • Fixed assets recording

        Hello there, I recorded a bill for a vendor contain (Computer) so the PC is a fixed assets, do I need to do a manual journal to include this PC under the fixed assets category (furniture & equipment)? If yes, please take me through the manual journal

      • error in importing customers

        get this error message while importing customers, there is no column for COUNTRY CODE in sample excel file

      • Workflow Based on Manual Journal

        Manual journal entries are one of the few areas that cannot kick off a workflow automation in Zoho Books currently. I would propose considering adding that. My use case is that the payroll provider I use (a flavor of SurePayroll) has a Zoho Books automation

      • Digest Décembre - Un résumé de ce qui s'est passé le mois dernier sur Community

        Bonjour chers utilisateurs, Toute l'équipe Zoho france vous souhaite une année remplie de joie, de réussite et de prospérité. Alors que nous débutons cette nouvelle année avec des projets innovants, des astuces, des produits et bien d'autres choses encore,

      • New Year Wishes to the Zoho Finance Developer Community!

        Hello developers, Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we wish you a journey filled with growth, success, and exciting opportunities ahead. We’re thrilled to announce that we have something exciting in store for you. Welcome to the Zoho Finance Developer

      • Button Display Conditions

        Hi Guys, Is it at all possible to have extra button conditions? Context: We have data in our deals module which has a custom button which converts the deal into contacts + set up relationships between them. At the end of the conversion we set a field

      • Ayuda con zoho creator x zoho Crm

        Hola a todos, Estoy teniendo dificultades al sincronizar datos entre Zoho Creator y Zoho CRM. Mi objetivo es lo siguiente: Busque un registro en el módulo Contactsde Zoho CRM utilizando el correo electrónico del registro de Zoho Creator. Si se encuentra

      • How to Replace an Assessment in a Job Opening on Zoho Recruit

        Hi everyone, I’m currently using Zoho Recruit and would like to replace the assessment linked to a specific job opening. I want to remove the existing assessment and add a new one. What is the best way to do this without losing any important data or affecting

      • Fixed asset management

        I want to know if there is any individual module for fixed assets management

      • Input GST Reversal for damaged goods

        In our line of business, some items are damaged and we are doing inventory adjustments to remove them from stock. However, as per GST guidelines, there is a specific rule that we have to reverse Input GST availed for such items and needs to be reported

      • Introducing Record Summary: smarter insights at your fingertips

        Hello everyone, Building on the recent launch of Zoho's in-house Zia Large Language Model (Zia LLM)—a major milestone in Zoho CRM’s AI capabilities—we’re excited to introduce the Record Summary feature. This powerful addition makes use of Zia LLM to simplify

      • No longer get Cliq notifications on phone if app not started

        On Android, I used to get notifications on my phone whether I was in the app, or it was started. Then about a month ago, I stopped seeing notifications on my phone UNLESS I had already started the app. So if I reboot my phone, and never start the app,

      • Error AS101 when adding new email alias

        Hi, I am trying to add apple@(mydomain).com The error AS101 is shown while I try to add the alias.

      • Deluge script to add Mail Task

        Has anyone out there created a custom function to create a Zoho Mail task? I'd be interested in hearing how you accomplished it. Sample code is appreciated!

      • Tags with Zapier

        Maybe I'm missing something....I hope so... Using tags for triggers is a key need.  This prevents us from having a ton of different lists. I am trying to find out how to add a tag using zapier when someone makes a purchase....but it doesn't seem to be

      • Send Supervisor Rule Emails Within Ticket Context in Zoho Desk

        Dear Zoho Desk Team, I hope this message finds you well. Currently, emails sent via Supervisor Rules in Zoho Desk are sent outside of the ticket context. As a result, if a client replies to such emails, their response creates a new ticket instead of appending

      • How to apply blueprint on tickets that created from IM module

        Hello, I have an issue applying blueprint on tickets that created from WhatsApp conversation, the tickets matches with the blueprint criteria but still we are not able to put these tickets into the blueprint. I've tried with deferent type of tickets and

      • Function #4: Schedule Customer Statements

        Regularly sending statements to customers is an imperative part of many business processes as it helps foster strong customer relationships and provides timely guidance on payments. While you can generate the statement of accounts and have it sent over

      • Zoho Mail POP & IMAP Server Details

        Hello all! We have been receiving a number of requests regarding the errors while configuring or using Zoho Mail account in POP/ IMAP clients. The server details vary based on your account type and the Datacenter in which your account is setup. Ensure

      • Remove 30-Day Client Reply Restriction on Supervisor Rules in Zoho Desk

        Dear Zoho Desk Team, I hope you're doing well. Currently, Supervisor Rules in Zoho Desk run once every hour but only apply to tickets that have received a customer response within the past 30 days. This restriction creates challenges for us, as we have

      • Paid Support Plans with Automated Billing

        We (like many others, I'm sure) are designing or have paid support plans. Our design involves a given number of support hours in each plan. Here are my questions: 1) Are there any plans to add time-based plans in the Zoho Desk Support Plans feature? The

      • Contacts Don't Always Populate

        I've noticed that some contacts can easily be added to an email when I type their name. Other times, a contact doesn't appear even though I KNOW it is in my contact list. It is possible the ones I loaded from a spreadsheet are not an issue and the ones

      • How to get NSE/BSE Stock Prices in Zoho sheets?

        I've been looking for a function that provides me with the NSE/BSE listed stocks price in Zoho Sheets like GOOGLEFINANCE in Google sheets, but I found none. Please help if there is any way to het stock prices?

      • Tip #5: Setting access rights at the subfolder level

        Hello everyone, We hope you're finding our WorkDrive Tips and Tricks series useful. For today's tip, we'll teach you how to assign higher subfolder permissions to Team Folder members. Team Folders helps you avoid the drawbacks of traditional file sharing.

      • Cannot edit email text in Zoho Form rules

        I have a number of rules set up on a form depending on a user's submission. For some reason, I am no longer able to edit the content of the emails sent out based on those rules. I am invited to "use the advanced editor", but the original text of the email

      • Can multiple agents be assigned to one ticket on purpose?

        Is it possible to assign one ticket to two or more agents at a time? I would like the option to have multiple people working on one ticket so that the same ticket is viewable for those agents on their list of pending tickets. Is something like this currently

      • For security reasons your account has been blocked as you have exceeded the maximum number of requests per minute that can originate from one account.

        Hello Zoho Even if we open 10-15 windows in still we are getting our accounts locked with error " For security reasons your account has been blocked as you have exceeded the maximum number of requests per minute that can originate from one account. "

      • how can I hide this Module?

        Hi everyone, newbie question. how can I hide the "Sales Order" column? when I try I get this message: https://imghostr.com/86395c_p7j

      • Domain verification is in progress... (How long do I need to wait?)

        Trying to setup my first email domain by connecting with GoDaddy. Have been here for quite some time and the screen is not changing. How long should this take?Send DataSend Data

      • How to display profile picture for distribution list?

        I am Admin of a Zoho Mail server and we have distribution lists along with user accounts. I am able to set Profile picture for the users and it shows when the email is sent to another companies. The members of the groups can also send email from those

      • Mail Search Not Working

        Hello, Mail search is not working at all. I've tried Chrome and Mozilla. I can try and search for an exact term, or even an email that is 1st in my email list. All search does is sit and spin, or it comes up with no results. I've also tried it on my android

      • Password should not contain sequential characters

        How can I avoid this? How do I even disable it. On my password policy page, it's all blank, so I don't know why I'm even getting this error now.

      • Same phone number for more than one account.

        Hi there, I am a webdeveloper specialising in providing websites, webhosting and email solutions for my customers. I have signed up a number of my customers to Zoho Mail in the past, and a couple of these have grown into a paid package for Zoho CRM. As

      • Is there a live chat for Zoho mail?

        I am having a problem in Zoho mail and would love to live chat with someone instead of email and wait for a response. Is there a function for this? I know there is in CRM but I can't seem to find it in mail... Thank you!

      • Integrating Zoho Desk Instances from two separate organizations

        Is it possible to integrate Zoho Desk with an instance from another organization? For example, creating a ticket in one organization can cause the creation of a ticket in the second organization? Or certain tickets from one organization be viewable by

      • Why does incoming mail inconsistently bounce back from Zoho mail

        On testing our user accounts, we are having problems where mail sent to zoho mail bounces back with errors message that 'relay access denied'. On testing from various accounts (including outlook, gmail and yahoo) mail seems to get through on some occasions

      • Zoho email setup in office365

        When i am trying to setup zoho mail setup using my domain in office365 and it is not working and it says that we couldn't log on to the incoming (IMAP) server and please check your email address and password and try again. I was able to login using my

      • JunkMail rejected

        Hello, we are facing problems sending mails. The IP has been blacklisted. Please, fix it as soon as possible. JunkMail rejected - sender4-op-o12.zoho.com [136.143.188.12]:17291 is in an RBL on rbl.websitewelcome.com, see Blocked - see http://www.spa

      • My emails going to spam folder for hotmail or outlook

        My emails (not spam mails) are going into the spam folder for my customers using hotmail. Gmail and Yahoo users are receiving the emails in their inbox. can you please solve this problem. I read few articles but coudnt find any solution to it. I am testing it by sending a simple text email no pictures nothing at all still it is filtering my emails as spam. Please help I am really loosing time and clients due to this. Thanks

      • Capture hotkeys inside the remote session and allow file exchange via clipboard

        Hi guys, assist is a really good app, and to become great it would be nice to have some features other vendors have in place and we take them for granted. For example, ScreenConnect, TeamViewer and others allow you to send hotkeys via the remote connection,

      • Next Page