Actions APIs - Field Updates

Actions APIs - Field Updates




Hello all!!
Welcome back to a fresh Kaizen week.
In the previous weeks, we covered Workflow Rules APIs, Actions APIs - Email Notification APIs, and Tasks Update APIs.
This week, we will continue with another Actions API - the Field Update API in Zoho CRM.

Field Updates in Zoho CRM

The Field Update option helps you automatically update specific field values in records when the associated workflow rule is triggered.

Note: Field Updates can also be used in Blueprint and Approval Processes, but in this post, we will focus only on Field Updates used with Workflow Rules in Zoho CRM.
When multiple leads enter Zoho CRM each day, from small to large industries, the Sales team manages all these entries inside a module. Every single lead is important for a company, whether it comes from a small or large industry. High-profit leads should not be missed and must be treated with high priority, frequent follow-ups, and faster actions to convert them into won deals.

High-profit deals without Field Update

There are chances of missing or failing to prioritize high-profit deals when all entries are cluttered inside the same module. This leads to manual mistakes and confusion for the Sales team. It becomes manual work, which increases the possibility of missing high-profit Leads.

High-profit deals with Field Update

A Field Update + Workflow Rule can solve these issues by creating an automated process. This avoids manual intervention and reduces errors.

Use case
Zylker, an IT solutions provider, wants to give high-priority attention to leads coming from large industries or leads that have a high lead score, especially when the Lead Status is Not Contacted.
Whenever a lead has a Lead Score ≥ 80 and is Not Contacted, the system should automatically update a field called Profit Category and set it to High Profit.

Why Lead Score for our use case?
Lead Score shows how active and interested a lead is. A score of 80 or above means the lead is highly engaged and more likely to convert. This makes it a dependable way to identify important leads that need quick attention.

Scenario
Whenever a lead meets the following conditions:
  1. Lead Score ≥ 80
  2. Lead Status = Not Contacted
The system should automatically update the Profit Category field to High Profit, and add a Contact Immediately tag. This helps the Sales team quickly identify high-profit records even when many records are cluttered in the module.

This can be achieved using a Field Update combined with a Workflow Rule.

Why not just use a Custom View?

A custom view can filter and display leads that meet these conditions, but it still depends on the Sales team to open the view and take action. In a busy Leads module, important leads can be missed or delayed. Also, if you want to perform dependent actions, you will need to create and schedule a custom function manually.
With a Workflow and Field Update, the system emails and also trigger many other actions like Field Update, Webhooks, and so on to your executives about these leads automatically. In our case, the Profit Category and tag are updated the moment the lead meets the condition, making high-profit leads stand out everywhere in CRM - without relying on manual checks or someone remembering to look at a view.

Profit Category mapping based on Lead Score

Profit Category is a custom picklist field in the Leads module.

The following table shows how Zylker classifies profit categories based on Lead Score:

Lead Score

Profit Category

20-40

Minimal Profit

40-60

Average Profit

60-80

Good Profit

80+

    High Profit


In this use case, we focus only on the High Profit category.
Let us now see how to enable a Field Update in Zoho CRM through the UI.

Creating a Field Update via UI

To create a Field Update in Zoho CRM, follow the steps below:
  1. Go to Setup > Automation > Actions > Field Updates.
  2. Click Create Field Update.
  3. Enter the Name of the field update.
  4. Select the Module.
  5. Choose the Field that should be updated.
  6. Provide the value to be updated that must be applied.
  7. Save the Field Update.
Field Update Configuration
In this use case, a Field Update is created to modify the Profit Category field when the workflow rule is triggered.

Field Update Details:
  1. Name: Profit Category
  2. Module: Leads
  3. Field to Update: Profit Category
  4. New Value: High Profit
This Field Update will be used as an action inside the workflow rule.
How to create the workflow for this use case and associate this Field Update with the workflow has been covered in the following section of this post.

UI - Field Update Creation View

Creating a Field Update via API

You can create a Field Update using the Create Field Update API available from Zoho CRM API version 8.
Request URL:  {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/automation/field_updates
Request Method: POST
Input JSON


{
    "field_updates": [
        {
            "name": "Profit Category ",
            "module": {
                "api_name": "Leads",
                "id": "5725767000000002175"
            },
            "type": "static",
            "feature_type": "workflow",
            "field": {
                "api_name": "Profit_Category",
                "id": "5725767000008570298"
            },
            "value": "High Profit"
        }
    ]
}


Keys explanation

                         Key

                        Explanation

field_updates

 

Holds all details to create a field update.

name

Field Update name

module

Specify the module details

module.api_name

Represents the module API name. In our case, it is "Leads" module.

module.id

Represents the System ID for the module

type

Represents the Update type. Usually “static” for fixed-value updates.

feature_type

Represents that this Field Update is for workflow Rules.

field

Represents which field should be updated.

field.api_name

Represents the field API name.

field.id

Represents the unique ID of the field.

value

The value to be updated


Sample Response

{
    "field_updates": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "details": {
                "id": "5725767000008604002"
            },
            "message": "field update deleted successfully",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]
}



A note on the unique ID

You can add:
  1. You need this ID to retrieve, update, and delete the Field Update later.

Retrieve your Field Update

You can retrieve a Field Update by using the Get Field Update API. It lists all available Field Update actions available in your org.

Request URL:  {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/automation/field_updates/5725767000008604002
Request Method: GET

Sample Response:
Below is the sample response returned by Zoho CRM.

{
    "field_updates": [
        {
            "created_time": "2025-11-15T07:57:39-08:00",
            "update_type": null,
            "lock_status": {
                "locked": false
            },
            "apply_assignment_threshold": false,
            "editable": true,
            "module": {
                "api_name": "Leads",
                "id": "5725767000000002175"
            },
            "related_module": null,
            "deletable": true,
            "source": "crm",
            "type": "static",
            "created_by": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "notify": false,
            "feature_type": "workflow",
            "modified_time": "2025-11-15T07:57:39-08:00",
            "field": {
                "api_name": "Profit_Category",
                "id": "5725767000008570298"
            },
            "dependent_fields": null,
            "associated": false,
            "related_records": null,
            "name": "Profit Category Leads",
            "modified_by": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5725767000000411001"
            },
            "id": "5725767000008604002",
            "value": "High Profit"
        }
    ]
}


Note: This API helps you fetch all the details of a specific Field Update using its unique ID. Also, you can create a workflow and associate the created Field Update action using its unique ID.

Workflow Rule Configuration 

Trigger:
  1. When a Lead is created or edited.
Condition:
  1. Lead Score is greater than or equal to 80.
  2. Lead Status is currently Not Contacted.
Actions:
  1. Associate the created Field Update action: High Profit
  2. Add a Contact Immediately tag to the record.

Workflow Rule and Field Update action via UI

Configuring Workflow and associating the Field Update action

Workflow Rule and Field Update action via API
Create a Workflow:
You can use the Configure Workflow Rule API to create a workflow.

Associate the Field Update:

You can associate the Field Update action with the workflow by using the unique ID of the Field Update.
Retrieve the Field Update ID using the Get Field Updates API.

Request URL:  {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/automation/workflow_rules
Request Method: POST

Sample Input:

{
    "workflow_rules": [
        {
          .
          .
          .

            "execute_when": {
                "details": {
                    "trigger_module": {
                        "api_name": "Leads",
                        "id": "5725767000000002175"
                    },
                },
                "type": "create_or_edit"
            },
            "module": {
                "api_name": "Leads",
                "id": "5725767000000002175"
            },
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "instant_actions": {
                        "actions": [
                            {
                               
                                "name": "Profit Category",
                                "details": {
                                    "module": {
                                        "api_name": "Leads",
                                        "id": "5725767000000002175"
                                    }
                                },
                                "id": "5725767000008604002",   //associating the created Field Update with the Workflow.
                                "type": "field_updates"
                            },
                            {
                                "name": "High Priority Deal",
                                "details": {
                                    "module": {
                                        "api_name": "Leads",
                                        "id": "5725767000000002175"
                                    },
                                    "over_write": false,
                                    "tags": [
                                        {
                                            "name": "High Priority Deal",
                                            "id": "5725767000008570458",
                                            "color_code": "#63C57E"
                                        }
                                    ]
                                },
                                "id": "5725767000008570470",
                                "type": "add_tags"
                            }
                        ]
                    },
                    "criteria": {
                        "group_operator": "AND",
                        "group": [
                            {
                                "comparator": "greater_equal",
                                "field": {
                                    "api_name": "Entity_Scores__s.Score", //Lead Score's API name
                                    "id": "5725767000002324045" 
                                },
                                "type": "value",
                                "value": "80"
                            },
                            {
                                "comparator": "contains",
                                "field": {
                                    "api_name": "Lead_Status",
                                    "id": "5725767000000002611"
                                },
                                "type": "value",
                                "value": "Not Contacted"
                            }
                        ]
                    }
                }
            ]
            .
            .
            .
        }
    ]
}


For more details on Workflow Rules using APIs, refer to Kaizen #213 - Workflow APIs - Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.


Edit your existing Field Update

You can update an existing Field Update using the Update Field Update API. To update it, use the unique ID of the Field Update in the request URL. Use Get Field Update API to get the required Field Update ID.

Request URL:  {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/automation/field_updates/5725767000008599001
Request Method: PUT

Input JSON

{
    "field_updates": [
        {
            "name": "Profit Category - Updated", //updated the response
            "field": {
                "api_name": "Profit_Category",
                "id": "5725767000008570298"
            },
            "value": "Good Profit" //updated value
        }
    ]
}


Note:
  1. Only the configured modules cannot be updated using the PUT - Field Update API call. The rest of the fields can be updated.
  2. The updated value must be valid for the field type. For example, picklist fields accept only existing picklist options. 
  3. After updating a Field Update, any workflow linked to it will automatically start using the updated configuration.

Delete Your Existing Field Update

You can delete an existing Field Update using the Delete Field Update API. To delete it, you must use the unique ID of the Field Update in the request URL.
 If you do not know the ID, use the Get Field Update API to retrieve it.

Request URL:  {{api-domain}}/crm/v8/settings/automation/field_updates/5725767000008599001
Request Method: DELETE

Sample Response:

{
    "field_updates": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "details": {
                "id": "5725767000008604002"
            },
            "message": "Field update deleted successfully",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]
}




Note
  1. You cannot delete a Field Update if it is currently associated with any Workflow, Blueprint, or Approval Process. Remove the Field Update from the workflow first, and then try deleting it.

We hope this post helps you understand how to use Field Updates through the Zoho CRM Actions API - Field Update API.


Try it out, and let us know your experience in the comments section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com.
Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts!

Cheers!




    • 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 this

    • Kaizen #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 how

    • Kaizen #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 are

    • Kaizen #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

      • 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 create

      • Main 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, does

      • Out 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 for

      • Is 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 the

      • How 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_window

      • Formula 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 Model

      • Improved 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 an

      • Create 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 couple

      • Change User Role in a Form

        Hi, When in a form, it would be good (And consistent) to be able to change the user role/permission like you can with Shared Reports, All Entries or the actual User itself, rather than having to delete the users permission and then add it back again with

      • Reassign Partially Saved Entries

        Hi, I would like to be able to go to Partially Saved Entries and like the option to delete them I would like the option to multi-select and be able to reassign them to another user to complete (Such as when a user has left the company). Thanks Dan

      • Increase the "Maximum Saved Entries per User" Options Limit

        Hi, You can create lots of saved entries, yet the Limit when you apply one is 25, we may often expect 32 to be in draft, and therefore want to enforce that, can we increase the limit of this field from 25 to 100 (As you can just turn it off and have more

      • Dynamic Field Folders in OneDrive

        Hi, With the 2 options today we have either a Dynamic Parent Folder and lots of attachments all in that one folder with only the ability to set the file name (Which is also not incremented so if I upload 5 photos to one field they are all named the same

      • Product Updates in Zoho Workplace applications | December 2025

        Hello Workplace Community, Let’s take a look at the new features and enhancements that went live across all Workplace applications this December. Zoho Mail Block emails without notifying the sender Block emails without sending a rejection notification

      • Zoho CRM for Gmail Extension Not Working in Brave Browser?

        Is anyone able to get the Zoho CRM Chrome Extension working in the Brave browser? They're both built on the Chromium platform and every other Chrome Extension works with the exception of Zoho CRM for Gmail so any ideas here?

      • Set Frozen Cells in the Report Settings

        Hi, It would be nice to be able to set the frozen cells in the report Settings, and have an option if this is fixed or can be changed after loading (On the next load it still goes back to the Settings). Thanks Dan

      • Microsoft Teams now available as an online meeting provider

        Hello everyone, We're pleased to announce that Zoho CRM now supports Microsoft Teams as an online meeting provider—alongside the other providers already available. Admins can enable Microsoft Teams directly from the Preferences tab under the Meetings

      • Tip of the week #26: Import/ Export calendars in Zoho Calendar.

        Any calendar on the web or calendars that you create in any other calendar application can be imported in to Zoho Calendar. This will help you to add the events from the calendars that you import to your Zoho Calendar. You also have the option to export

      • Add Zoho Forms to Zoho CRM Plus bundle

        Great Zoho apps like CRM and Desk have very limited form builders when it comes to form and field rules, design, integration and deployment options. Many of my clients who use Zoho CRM Plus often hit limitations with the built in forms in CRM or Desk and are then disappointed to hear that they have to additionally pay for Zoho Forms to get all these great forms functionalities. Please consider adding Zoho Forms in the Zoho CRM Plus bundle. Best regards, Mladen Svraka Zoho Certified Consultant and

      • Blocklist candidates in Zoho Recruit

        We’re introducing Block Candidate, which helps recruiters to permanently restrict a candidate from applying to current/future job openings. Once the candidate is blocked, they will no longer be able to participate in the recruitment process. This will

      • What is the safest way to convert OST to PST files?

        The safest way to convert OST to PST files is by using a reliable and professional OST to PST Converter tool. Manual methods often risk data loss, corruption, or dependency on Exchange Server connectivity. A trusted converter Aryson OST to PST Converter

      • Zoho CRM for Everyone's NextGen UI Gets an Upgrade

        Hello Everyone We've made improvements to Zoho CRM for Everyone's Nextgen UI. These changes are the result of valuable feedback from you where we’ve focused on improving usability, providing wider screen space, and making navigation smoother so everything

      • Social icons, open in new tab?

        Hello, I have two social icons on my footer, Facebook and Psychology Today. Clicking on the Facebook icon opens a new tab, the Psychology Today icon does not. I would like them both to open a new tab. Am I missing a setting somewhere?

      • Introducing Connected Records to bring business context to every aspect of your work in Zoho CRM for Everyone

        Hello Everyone, We are excited to unveil phase one of a powerful enhancement to CRM for Everyone - Connected Records, available only in CRM's Nextgen UI. With CRM for Everyone, businesses can onboard all customer-facing teams onto the CRM platform to

      • Real-Time Screen Annotation During Zoho Cliq Screen Sharing

        Hi Zoho Support Team, Hope you're doing well. We’d like to request the addition of real-time screen annotation tools during screen sharing sessions in Zoho Cliq video calls. 🔍 What We're Looking For: The ability for the presenter—and optionally, other

      • encountering an error when attempting to associate an email with a Deal using the Zoho CRM extension in Zoho Mail.

        When I click "Yes, associate," the system displays an "Oops!! Something went wrong" error message. I have attached a screenshot of the issue for reference.

      • Autofill address using smart fields mapped over the pdf document

        Hi, I'm using mail merge to map smart fields onto PDF documents I plan to distribute for signing. I already have a Zoho Sign subscription. When mapping smart fields from the Employee form, I only see the permanent and current addresses which include the

      • Live Chat for user

        Hi everyone, I’m new to Zoho Creator and wanted to ask if it’s possible to add a live chat option for all logged-in portal users so they can chat internally. I’m trying to create a customer portal similar to a service desk, but for vehicle breakdowns,

      • How do I cap employee leave accrual

        HI there, How do I cap an employee's leave accrual? The policy is that you accrue 15 days leave annually (1.25 days a month) and once you reach 15 days, you wont accrue more until you take leave. Thank you!

      • Open sub form from a button as a popup form

        Is there a way within a form to use similar code as below to show a button in the form when clicked opens the subform for data to be added to the record being viewed in the form OpenUrl("#Form:<Customer_Delivery_Address>?<Delivery_Address>=" + input.ID,"popup

      • Dont have backup option in setting

        Hi guys. I started using zoho book a week ago. I bought premium package yet I don't have backup option in setting. I hope anyone can help me find a solution. Thanks in advance

      • Making Tags Mandatory

        When creating an expense, is it possible to make the Tags field mandatory?  I see the option in settings to make other fields mandatory, like Merchant, Description, Customer, etc, but nothing about Tags. Thanks! Kevin

      • Is there a plan to integrate zoho voice with zoho books?

        Hello, Is there a plan to integrate zoho voice with zoho books? Right now we are using the Twilio SMS integration into zoho books, but have recently decided to switch to zoho voice for calls and sms. Is there a plan to integrate zoho voice natively into

      • Pass variables to Zoho Desk via URL to create a fast new ticket landing page

        We are integrating our phone system into Zoho Desk. Currently when a helpdesk agent answers the phone, a soft client opens a new tab with zoho desk at the new case page. https://desk.zoho.com/support/companyname/ShowHomePage.do#Cases/new We would like

      • 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,

      • Modular Permission Levels

        We need more modular Permissions per module in Books we have 2 use cases that are creating problems We need per module export permission we have a use case where users should be able to view the sales orders but not export it, but they can export other

      • ¡Vuelven los Workshops Certificados de Zoho a España!

        ¡Hola usuarios de Español Zoho Community! Hace ya unos días que hemos dado la bienvenida al 2026, y promete ser un año de lo más emocionante. Y es que nos gustaría haceros nuestro particular regalo de Reyes, aunque lleguemos un poco tarde. 🎁 ¡Nos gustaría

      • Free Webinar on 21 January: Looking back at Zoho Mail in 2025

        Hello Zoho Community! Curious about how Zoho Mail evolved in 2025? Wondering how these updates can make your everyday email work simpler? We’ve got a session you won’t want to miss. In our Zoho Mail 2025 recap webinar, we’ll walk you through the key features

      • Next Page