Kaizen #183 - COQL API's Enhancements in Zoho CRM API Version 7
Hello everybody!
Welcome back to another post in our Kaizen series.
COQL API
Query API lets you query for records based on queries using the CRM Object Query Language(COQL). COQL is based on the SQL query syntax, and supports the SELECT query to fetch records. Using this API, you can query for data across different modules that are linked using lookup fields.
1. Enhanced Field Limits in the SELECT Clause
You can now retrieve up to 500 fields in a single query. Previously, the limit was 50. This allows you to fetch more data in a single request, reducing the number of API calls and improving performance.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select Last_Name, Email, Phone, Industry, Revenue, ... (500 fields) from Leads where id is not null" } |
2. Enhanced Value Limits for IN and NOT IN Operators
The IN and NOT IN operators now support up to 100 values each, doubling the previous limit of 50. This enhancement allows for more comprehensive filtering in your queries. Users can now include a larger set of criteria in a single query, making it easier to retrieve your data without needing multiple queries.
Sample query for IN:
{ "select_query": "select Account_Name from Accounts where Industry in ('IT', 'Finance', 'Healthcare', ... (100 values))" } |
Sample query for NOT IN:
{ "select_query": "select Account_Name from Accounts where Industry not in ('IT', 'Finance', 'Healthcare', ... (100 values))" } |
3. Custom View support in COQL API
No more manual filtering! Simply use a custom view ID directly in the FROM clause. Retrieve custom view IDs using the Custom View API and include them in your queries to retrieve specific-custom view data.
Unsupported Custom Views
- Custom View in Other Modules : The following custom views are not supported in any module.
- Shared By Me
- Co-owner
- Shared To Me
Example : Shared By Me
Key and Value Structure | "system_name": "{module_name}SHAREDBYME" |
Example | "system_name": "LEADSSHAREDBYME" |
COQL supports CVID in the following format: FROM {module_API_name}#{CVID}.
See the sample query below for reference.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select Lead_Status from Leads#5725767000000087501 WHERE id is not null" } //CVID: 5725767000000087501 - This is the Custom View ID in the Leads module. |
4. Retrieve Corresponding Field Metadata via COQL
Need to retrieve field details? You can fetch both the required data and field metadata in a single query. Just add "include_meta" key to your query to retrieve field metadata. This key fetches metadata for the fields specified only in the SELECT column. Also, it eliminates making an additional GET - Fields Metadata API call to know the field metadata and save API credits.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select Lead_Status, Phone from Leads where id is not null", "include_meta": [ "fields" ] } |
Ensure you have the ZohoCRM.settings.fields.READ scope to avoid an OAUTH_SCOPE_MISMATCH error.
Sample Response:
{ "data": [ { "Lead_Status": "Attempted to Contact", "Phone": "555-555-5555", "id": "5725767000000420480" }, { "Lead_Status": "Contact in Future", "Phone": "555-555-5555", "id": "5725767000000420481" }, . . . ], "fields": { "Lead_Status": { "webhook": true, "operation_type": { "web_update": true, "api_create": true, "web_create": true, "api_update": true }, "colour_code_enabled_by_system": false, "field_label": "Lead Status", "tooltip": null, "type": "used", "table_name": "CrmLeadDetails", "field_read_only": false, "required": false, "display_label": "Lead Status", "read_only": false, "association_details": null, "multi_module_lookup": {}, "id": "5725767000000002611", "created_time": null, "filterable": true, "visible": true, "refer_from_field": null "auto_number": {} } }, "info": { "count": 200, "more_records": true } } |
5. Field Limit Restriction in the ORDER BY Clause
The fields limit has been restricted in the ORDER BY clause. You can specify up to 10 fields in the ORDER BY clause for more precise sorting. Previously, there was no limit. This restriction helps improve query performance.
sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Last_Name from Leads where id is not null order by Lead_Source, Lead_Status, Email, ... (up to 10 fields)" } |
6. Duplicate fields restriction
Duplicate fields are restricted in ORDER BY, GROUP BY, and AGGREGATE clauses. That is, if the same field is specified multiple times within the same clause, leading to unnecessary repetition and potential errors. This ensures cleaner and more accurate query results. Previously, this restriction applied only to the SELECT column.
Bad query:
{ "select_query":"select id from Contacts where id is not null order by id,id" } |
Duplicate aggregate fields in a query will result in a "DUPLICATE_DATA" error in the response.
7. Retrieve territory information
You can now retrieve territory information from a module by including the territory field API name in the SELECT column. This is useful to understand where your data has been distributed in various geographical locations.
Sample query 1 :
{ "select_query": "select Account_Name, Territories from Accounts where id is not null" } |
Sample query 2 :
{ "select_query" : "select Territories, Account_Name.Territories from Contacts where id is not null" } |
Sample response:
{ "data": [ { "Account_Name.Territories": [ { "name": "USA", "id": "5725767000000454003" } ], "id": "5725767000000420261", "Territories": [ { "name": "China", "id": "5725767000000454981" } ] }, . . . ], "info": { "count": 174, "more_records": false } } |
Supported modules to retrieve territory details: Contacts, Accounts, Leads, and Deals.
Note:
The territory field API names differ by module:
- Accounts, Contacts, and Leads : Territories
- Deals : Territory
8. "Full_Name" retrieval based on user preferences
The full name can be retrieved based on the current user's display name pattern, as set in their preferences. This ensures that the full name format aligns with the user's settings.
The "Full_Name" field contains the concatenated values of the First_Name and Last_Name fields. This is a read-only field available only in the Leads and Contacts modules.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select Full_Name from Contacts where id is not null" } |
9. Support for Multiple Modules in "what_id"
A Multi-Module Lookup (MML) field is a special type of lookup field that allows you to establish a relationship between a record in one module and records from multiple other modules. Unlike a standard lookup field that references a single module, an MML field can point to multiple module types.
Currently, an MML field is available in the Appointments module. The Appointment_For field is an MML field that can reference multiple modules, such as Leads and Contacts.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select 'What_Id->Leads.Company','What_Id->Accounts.Account_Type' from Calls where id is not null" } |
9.1 Support to query Multi-module Lookup (MML)'s inner field
You can now retrieve inner fields of linked modules within the MML field. This provides deeper insights into related fields data in a module.
For example, you can now query specific fields from a related module that is linked through a Multi-Module Lookup, making your data retrieval more precise and informative.
{ "select_query": "select 'Appointment_For->Contacts.Lead_Source' from Appointments__s where id is not null" } |
9.2 Support for Querying Multi-Module Lookup Module Name
Retrieve the module name associated with each record in a Multi-Module Lookup (MML) field. This helps in identifying the source module of the linked records, providing a better context for your data.
{ "select_query": "select Appointment_For.module.api_name, Appointment_For from Appointments__s where id is not null" } |
10. Retrieving Consent-Related Information
You can now retrieve consent-related information using the Consents Lookup fields in a module. This is particularly useful for GDPR compliance, ensuring you have consent records.
For more details, refer to the Consent Management documentation. This is particularly useful for GDPR compliance, ensuring you have all necessary consent information.
Note:
- Once GDPR is enabled and configured for a module, a new Data Processing Basis Details field will be created in the respective module with the data type consent_lookup ("data_type": "consent_lookup").
- You can retrieve the Data Processing Basis Details field created in the module using the GET Fields Metadata API.
- To know all available fields in the Consents module, make another GET Fields Metadata API call.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select Data_Processing_Basis_Details.Contact_Through_Survey, Data_Processing_Basis_Details.Data_Processing_Basis from Leads where Data_Processing_Basis_Details is not null" } |
11. Enhanced Lookup Field Response
Previously, when a lookup field was included in the SELECT column JOIN, only the lookup field’s ID was displayed. From V7, the corresponding display field value is also provided. Now, when you specify a lookup field in the SELECT column, the response includes the id of the Lookup record ID and the display field value of the lookup record.
This eliminates the need for an additional SELECT column JOIN to fetch the display value (e.g., Owner.last_name).
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Owner from Accounts where id is not null" } |
Sample response
V6 | V7 |
{ "data": [ { "Owner": { "id": "5725767000000411001" }, "id": "5725767000000420169" }, { "Owner": { "id": "5725767000000411001" }, "id": "5725767000000420170" }, . . . ], "info": { "count": 23, "more_records": false } } | { "data": [ { "Owner": { "name": "Boyle", "id": "5725767000000411001" }, "id": "5725767000000420169" }, { "Owner": { "name": "Kate", "id": "5725767000000411482" }, "id": "5725767000000420170" }, . . . ], "info": { "count": 23, "more_records": false } } |
Note:
- If you query the Users lookup field in the SELECT column, the corresponding record’s last name (display field) will be displayed in the name key of the corresponding lookup JSON (e.g. Owner) response, from V7.
- Display field value will not be available for Consent Lookup and Multi-Module Lookup (MML) fields.
12. Increasing "Profile Image" field comparators
The Profile Image field now supports additional comparators.
V6 | V7 |
is null, is not null | is null, is not null, =, !=, in, not in, like, not like |
You can use a record image's ID to fetch related data. For example, if you only have a record image's ID and want to retrieve the respective record's last name, you can include the record image ID in your query.
Refer to the COQL document for more details.
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Record_Image from Leads where Record_Image = 'siwz79472749456ff433f8b88d0a795ae9855' " } |
13. Enhanced "Rollup Summary" field comparators
The Rollup Summary field now supports additional comparators, making it easier to filter and analyze your data with more precision.
| V6 | V7 |
is null, is not null | =, !=, >=, >, <=, <, between, not between, in, not in, is null, is not null |
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Last_Name from Leads where Total_Calls between 5 and 10" } |
13.1 Enhanced response for the Date and Datetime return types of the Rollup Summary
The Date and Datetime return types in the Rollup Summary field are now provided in ISO date and ISO datetime formats based on the user's time zone.
Sample query:
{ "select_query": "select Last_Note_Added from Leads where id is not null" } |
Response
| V6 | V7 |
{ "data": [ { "Last_Note_Added": "1721302770000", "id": "5725767000003160016" }, . . . ], "info": { "count": 200, "more_records": true } } | { "data": [ { "Last_Note_Added": "2024-07-04T03:49:48-07:00", "id": "5725767000003160016" }, . . . ], "info": { "count": 200, "more_records": true } } |
14. Enhanced LIMIT and OFFSET Value Limit
You can now retrieve up to 100,000 records using pagination with the LIMIT and OFFSET clauses. This significantly increases the amount of data you can handle in a single query, making it easier to work with large datasets. Previously, the maximum limit was 10,000. For the next set of records, add another criteria id > {1,00,000th record ID} with the "AND" operator, and go on to fetch the next 1,00,000 records.
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Last_Name, Created_Time from Leads where (Last_Name is not null and id > 5725767000003160016)" } |
15. Enhanced JOIN Support Limit
Base Column JOIN
If a query contains any lookup_field.{any_field} in any clause other than the SELECT column such as ORDER BY, GROUP BY, or AGGREGATE columns, then it will be treated as Base JOIN. The Base JOIN support limit has been increased from two to five. This enhancement enables more complex queries across multiple modules, improving data retrieval flexibility.
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select id from Contacts where id is not null order by Owner.role, Created_By.profile" } |
Refer to the Base JOIN section in the COQL API document for more details.
15.1 Introducing the SELECT Column JOIN
A new SELECT column JOIN has been introduced, with a maximum limit of 15.
Advantages of SELECT Column JOIN
- If a lookup field is included in the SELECT column and another lookup field is used in the Base column JOIN, they will be treated as separate JOINs. This ensures that the SELECT column JOIN does not affect the Base JOIN.
- Previously, when two lookup fields in the SELECT pointed to the same module (e.g., Users), they were treated as separate JOINs. From V7, they are now considered a single JOIN, optimizing query performance and reducing redundancy.
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Owner.last_name, Created_By.role from Contacts where id is not null" } |
Refer to the JOINs in COQL Queries for more details on both the JOINs.
16. Subquery in COQL
A subquery support has been given in COQL. A subquery is a child query that is nested or embedded within a parent query i.e., outer query. Subqueries can be used as an alternative to JOINs in a query. Use subqueries when a JOIN field is only needed in the criteria, i.e., in the WHERE clause. The primary reason for using subqueries is to improve performance by saving time and memory.
Sample query:
{ "select_query" : "select Lead_Source,Email from Leads where Contacts in (select id from Contacts where Email='patricia@mail.com')" } |
You can retrieve up to 100 records per subquery in a single query. A maximum of 5 subqueries can be queried in a parent query.
Refer to the Subquery documentation for more details. A detailed post on Subquery will be covered in an upcoming Kaizen post.
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!
Topic Participants
Subramanian K
Sticky Posts
Kaizen #226: Using ZRC in Client Script
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. In today's post, lets see what is ZRC (Zoho Request Client) and how we can use ZRC methods in Client Script to get inputs from a Salesperson and update the Lead status with a single button click. In thisKaizen #222 - Client Script Support for Notes Related List
Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. The final Kaizen post of the year 2025 is here! With the new Client Script support for the Notes Related List, you can validate, enrich, and manage notes across modules. In this post, we’ll explore howKaizen #217 - Actions APIs : Tasks
Welcome to another week of Kaizen! In last week's post we discussed Email Notifications APIs which act as the link between your Workflow automations and you. We have discussed how Zylker Cloud Services uses Email Notifications API in their custom dashboard.Kaizen #216 - Actions APIs : Email Notifications
Welcome to another week of Kaizen! For the last three weeks, we have been discussing Zylker's workflows. We successfully updated a dormant workflow, built a new one from the ground up and more. But our work is not finished—these automated processes areKaizen #152 - Client Script Support for the new Canvas Record Forms
Hello everyone! Have you ever wanted to trigger actions on click of a canvas button, icon, or text mandatory forms in Create/Edit and Clone Pages? Have you ever wanted to control how elements behave on the new Canvas Record Forms? This can be achieved
Recent Topics
How to loop through Multiple Upload and Display Actual File Name
I have been reading the help on the File Upload Control and reviewed the Deluge help on files and I can not figure out how to loop through the uploaded files and do anything but get the automatically created file names. The code below will run but eachabou arattai
I want to use the Arattai app for business purposes, so please convert my account to a business account.I have my own invoice app, and I want to link it with the Arattai app for direct messaging.Overlapping Reports in Dashboards
It's rare, but occasionally it would be a good feature if I were able to overlap reports, either fully or partially in the Dashboards. Also, then having the ability to move objects to the front or rear, or make them transparent/translucent would be goodLooking back at Zoho Calendar in 2025
Hello Zoho Calendar Community, As we step into a brand-new year, we’d like to take a moment to thank you for being an active and valued part of the Zoho Calendar community. Your trust, feedback, and continued engagement motivate us to keep evolving andThere was an error while connecting to GSTN
I am trying to file GSTR1. Everything flows smoothly until I reach the final step of filing the return. After I enter the PAN and OTP for filing it raises the error "There was an error while connecting to GSTN"Zoho Books Extension: What Happens If Custom Fields Already Exist?
When developing Zoho Books extensions, what happens if the target Zoho Books organization already has a custom field with the same API name as one defined in the extension? I’m asking because we originally created an on-Books version of this functionality,Internal Server Error (500) When Attempting to View Banking Transactions
I am experiencing an Internal Server Error (500) when attempting to view transactions across all of my banking accounts. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this, I have received little more than runaround from support, and the issue remains unresolved.How do I add a blank line to the Organisation Address Format?
I'd like to have my VAT number, for example, shown prominently by having a clear gap between it and the address block above, but any blank lines in the address format get ignored in PDF outputs.Automatic Invoice Number generation for createRecord
Hello, while testing some custom Buttons in my Zoho Books application, I noticed that I get an error that previously did not occur. After some further digging I found that the automatic transaction numbering of invoices no longer work in my organization.Adding number of days to an estimate.
I need both QTY of item and "number of days hire" in my estimates at the line item level. Any clues as to how this is done would be greatly appreciated. It needs to calculate. Thanks JBooks Api: listing expenses created after certain dates
Is there any parameter I can add to the List Expenses endpoint that will let me look up expenses by when they were created?Why can't we change the Account type from an Expense to an Asset?
Like the question. Why in QuickBooks for example if I mistakenly created an account as an expenses and I already captured information in those accounts, I can just change the account type from expense to assetIs it possible to do validation for the Actions added to Reports?
We have an all-around On Validate function that checks all the possibilities before the Created/Edited form submissions. We want to have a button in the report view, so we can change records without entering. We are able to add this button, and it doesAbility to Edit Ticket Subject when Splitting a Ticket
Often someone will make an additional or new request within an existing ticket that requires we split the ticket. The annoying part is that the new ticket maintains the subject of the original ticket after the split so when the new ticket email notification[Free Webinar] Environments in Zoho Creator - Creator Tech Connect
Hello Everyone, We’re delighted to kick off the 2026 edition of the Zoho Creator Tech Connect Series and are excited to continue this learning journey with you. The Creator Tech Connect series is a free monthly webinar featuring deep-dive technical sessionsZoho Voice API SMS
I made a post request in Zapier to try to send an SMS. Authentication appears to be configured correctly. I followed the documentation and I'm getting a 400 Error "Internal Server Error". Not helpful at all. Anyways, I could not find any information onHow do I change (error) display messages
Hi! I would like to edit display messages like "invalid entries" and "enter a value for Nome" and so on into Italian language messages. How can I do that? Already tried on Validate on form submit. Where I am failing? Thanks in advance.Record Overseas Transactions Along with CC charges
Hi All, We receive payments via stripe in multiple currencies and stripe takes around 2.5% fees. The amount is settled in INR into our local bank. What should be the currency of the income account used for Stripe payments? Here is a sample flow that weEasier onboarding for new users with stage descriptions
Greetings, I hope all of you are doing well. We're happy to announce a recent enhancement we've made to Bigin. You can now add descriptions to the stages in your pipeline. Previously, when creating a pipeline, you could only add stages. With this update,Pieds de page personnalisé - Document Zoho Writer
Bonjour à tous, Je rencontre un souci avec l’ajout d’un pied de page personnalisé dans un document Zoho Writer. Je souhaite insérer les informations de mon entreprise (notamment un logo + adresse) dans le pied de page. Le problème, c’est que lorsque j’ajoutePermissions on Views
Having the option of any agent creating custom views is firing back and got a situation where there are a hundred different views across the team and tickets are not being dealt in the most efficient of ways. Tickets seems to be missed by some agents,Credit card transactions are backwards after importing statements
I am new to Zoho Books so I'm importing my firm's bank and credit card statements in. My credit card statements have a single column with negative numbers so that is the option I chose. But when I went to categorize the credit card transactions, I canimport data from Apollo.ai into zoho crm via zoho flow
I might be asking this question in the wrong forum. We use Apollo.ai to find potential new leads for our business, there are around 10000 leads that we have initially found. We have an Apollo.ai account but just to do searches, we dont use it as a crm.Knowledgebase SEO
We have a custom-domain mapped help center that is not restricted via login. I have some questions: a) will a robots.txt file still allow us to control indexing? b) do we have the ability to edit the sitemap? c) do category URLs get indexed by searchVIsual maindmaps in Zoho notebook Ai
Can I create and export VIsual maindmaps in Zoho notebook Ai1stDibs Integration to Zoho Inventory
Hello is it possible to integrate my Zoho inventory and 1stDibs?Community Question: Renewal vs Invoicing
This is a question for the community. Does anyone else consider there to be a difference between a subscription renewal event and sending out a recurring invoice for a subscription? For example, let's say customer XYZ purchases a 1-year subscription tocloud console support for music websites
Hi Friends, I am not from a very technical background.. So need support from the Zoho family. I want to build a e-commerce website which is in Musical Niche. It will help people learn music & play instruments of all types. There are a few players in the market like Chordify , Guitaa, Guitar Dashboard, ChordU & few others. But I all these websites allow only a few instruments to play. So I want to build a better website than the one I mentioned. So wnated to know what UI & AI should I use so thatScheduled Reports - Do not send empty report
Hello, We are intensively using reports in the CRM, especially for sales managers. When data is empty, they still receive an email. Can you add an option to avoid sending the report when data is empty?Is Zoho One Desktop more secure than Zoho One Web SaaS?
Is Zoho One Desktop more secure than using Zoho One in browser? Inherently, it seems desktop would be unless you don't do things like share your pw or leave pc on. I am concerned about data being on the cloud or someone else's server and database.Reminder Settings - Time Tracker
On the time tracker in Reminder Settings I created a reminder according to the Zoho manual. But a manager asked me to change the message that goes in the email. Is it possible to change the message? I didn't find that in the Zoho manual. Another question: I configured to receive the reminder everyone who logged in less than 40 hours. Does Zoho consider less than 40 hours of the current week or the whole month? Another situation, I put it so that I and another specific user would receive the notification,Create Item group from a composite Item
I have applied my mind for hours but cannot figure this out. Can you have a composite item in an item group?. E.g. We bundle different color and size SKU's together as composite items. Also Using composite items as Bill of Materials. We want to createMain difference of Zoho Recruit Corporte version and Staffing HR vesion
Hi Zoho, I need help to fully understand what is the main key point differences of Recruit Corporate version versus the Staffing HR version? We are currently using Corporate HR version and we are looking on having an insightful automated reporting, doesOut of Stock items showing in Commerce
I have over 6000 items and most are not in stock, but all items are showing up in Commerce whether they are inventory or not. What option or feature can you use to hide items in Commerce at zero or negative quantities? I currently am using Commerce forIs it possible to transfer data from one related list to another within the same module ?
In the Leads module, there is an existing default Product related list that already contains data. Recently, I added a custom multi-lookup field, which created a new related list in the same Leads module. Now, I need to move the existing data from theHow to implement new online payment gateway?
Hello, Can you tell me how to proceed to implement my local payment gateway? DIBS has an open avaiable API that should be easy to implement into ZOHO BOOKS. http://tech.dibspayment.com/dibs_payment_windowFormula working in MS Excel , is not working in Zoho Sheets, Filter fuction which is working in MS sheets per the attached workbook / Daily update.
Filter function , which is working in MS Excel is not working in Zoho sheets. Please help on function of filter of particular class sheets and extract students name who has more than 3.5 hours of study hours on particular day depending on date in D7 cell.New in Smart Prompt: Record Assistant for contextual assistance, and support for new AI models
Smart Prompt helps teams stay informed and move faster by providing relevant suggestions where work happens in CRM. With this update, Smart Prompt becomes more adaptable to your organization’s AI preferences. You can now choose which Large Language ModelImproved Integration Failure Information (And Notification Options)
Hi, When an attachment service for example fails, you just get "Field x - Error", I can check the field it is failing on and find nothing wrong, same file size, type, dimensions, etc. so more information as to the actual issue would be helpful. And anCreate static subforms in Zoho CRM: streamline data entry with pre-defined values
Last modified on (9 July, 2025): This feature was available in early access and is currently being rolled out to customers in phases. Currently available for users in the the AU, CA, and SA DCs. It will be enabled for the remaining DCs in the next coupleNext Page