Using ZRC in Client Script

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 post,

  1. What is ZRC?
  2.  ZRC Methods
  3. Use Case
  4. Solution
  5. Summary
  6. Related Links

1. What is ZRC?

Zoho Request Client (ZRC) is a built-in SDK in Zoho CRM that provides a unified way to make REST API calls across developer-centric features of Zoho CRM like Client Script, Widgets. Invoking CRM APIs, Connection APIs, and external APIs requires different syntax and separate code for each type. ZRC removes this complexity by offering one common and consistent approach to call all APIs, making client-side development easier and faster.

The following are the key features of ZRC.
  1. ZRC works with any CRM API version
  2. It supports self domain calls by providing only the API endpoint without specifying the domain
  3. Uses a single unified syntax for CRM APIs, custom Connections, and external public APIs. 
  4. No authentication handling needed for the same CRM org as ZRC manages it automatically
  5. Automatic JSON handling without manual parsing.
  6. Supports clean async code with full async-await and promise chaining.

2. ZRC Methods



Click here for more details about ZRC Methods.

3. Use Case - Log call notes and update the Lead status with a button click.

Quote
At Zylker, Salespersons often make multiple call attempts before connecting with a lead. Manually recording these attempts and updating the Lead status is often overlooked, leading to incomplete tracking and inaccurate pipeline data. To address this, the Admin wants the following changes:

1. Display a popup to capture call attempt details when a button is clicked and save them as a Note on the current Lead.

2. Also, update the Lead_Status of the current Lead to “Contacted” .

4. Solution

Here, the requirement is to create a note based on the Salesperson's description and update the status of the Lead record.To achieve this, Salesperson's input is collected through a pop-up when a custom button is clicked. The ZRC POST method is used to create a note for the Lead. The ZRC PUT method is used to update the status of the Lead record. As the Client Script has to be triggered with a button click, you should create a custom button and add Client Script from "Create Custom Button" pop-up.

  1. Go to Setup > Customization > Modules and Fields. Click Leads and navigate to "Buttons" tab.
  2. Specify the details about the custom button, Define action as "Client Script" and click Create.


  1. This opens Client Script IDE.
  2. Enter the following script and click Add in Client Script IDE. 
  1. // Validate if the script is running on a Lead record page
  2. if (!leadModule || !leadRecordId || leadModule !== 'Leads') {
  3.     ZDK.Client.showMessage('This script is designed to run exclusively on Lead record pages. Please navigate to a Lead record to use this feature.', { type: 'warning' });
  4.     return;
  5. }

  6. // Display a loader to indicate ongoing background operations
  7. ZDK.Client.showLoader({ message: 'Logging call attempt and creating follow-up actions...' });

  8. try {
  9.     // 1. Create a standardized Note attached to the Lead
  10.     var notes_content = ZDK.Client.getInput([{
  11.         type: 'text',
  12.         label: 'Log Call Details'
  13.     },
  14.     ], 'Log Call Details', 'OK', 'Cancel');
  15.     log(notes_content);
  16.     console.log({ notes_content });
  17.     const notePayload = {
  18.         data: [{
  19.             Note_Title: 'Call Attempt Log',
  20.             Note_Content: notes_content[0],
  21.             Parent_Id: { // Associate the note with the current Lead record
  22.                 id: leadRecordId,
  23.                 name: leadRecordName,
  24.                 module: {
  25.                     api_name: leadModule
  26.                 }
  27.             }
  28.         }]
  29.     };

  30.     const noteCreationResponse = await zrc.post('/crm/v8/Notes', notePayload);

  31.     // Check for successful note creation (200 OK or 201 Created)
  32.     if (noteCreationResponse.status !== 201 && noteCreationResponse.status !== 200) {
  33.         throw new Error('Failed to create Note: ' + JSON.stringify(noteCreationResponse.data));
  34.     }

  35.     // 2. Update the Lead_Status field to “Contacted” on the current Lead
  36.     const leadUpdatePayload = {
  37.         data: [{
  38.             id: $Page.record_id, // Specify the record to update
  39.             Status: 'Contacted'
  40.         }]
  41.     };
  42.     const leadUpdateResponse = await zrc.put(`/crm/v8/${leadModule}/${leadRecordId}`, leadUpdatePayload);
  43.     $Client.refresh();

  44.     // Check for successful lead status update (200 OK or 202 Accepted)
  45.     if (leadUpdateResponse.status !== 200 && leadUpdateResponse.status !== 202) {
  46.         throw new Error('Failed to update Lead Status: ' + JSON.stringify(leadUpdateResponse.data));
  47.     }

  48.     // Display a success message
  49.     ZDK.Client.showMessage('Call attempt logged, and Lead status updated', { type: 'success' });

  50. } catch (error) {
  51.     // Log and display an error message if any step fails
  52.     console.error('Error executing Log Call Attempt script:', error);
  53.     ZDK.Client.showMessage(`An error occurred: ${error.message}`, { type: 'error' });
  54. } finally {
  55.     // Always hide the loader, regardless of success or failure
  56.     ZDK.Client.hideLoader();
  57. }

  1. In the above script, $Page.module retrieves the current CRM module from which the script is executed.
  2. $Page.record_id fetches the unique ID of the record currently opened on the page.
  3. $Page.record provides access to the field values of the current record.
  4. ZDK.Client.showLoader() displays a visual loading message to inform the Salesperson that background operations are in progress.
  5. ZDK.Client.getInput() prompts the Salesperson to enter details about the call through an input dialog.
  6. ZRC.post() sends a POST request to Zoho CRM to create a new record and automatically handles authentication and domain resolution.
  7. In the notePayload,"Parent_Id" links the created note to the current CRM record and module.
  8. ZRC.put() sends a PUT request to Zoho CRM to update an existing record.
  9. $Client.refresh() refreshes the current CRM page so the latest updates are immediately visible to the Salesperson.
  10. Here is how Client Script works.




5. Summary

1. How to update a record in Zoho CRM using ZRC 
2. How to insert a record using ZRC



    • Sticky Posts

    • Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint

      Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.
    • 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
      • Recent Topics

      • Zoho Commerce

        Hi, I have zoho one and use Zoho Books. I am very interested in Zoho Commerce , especially with how all is integrated but have a question. I do not want my store to show prices for customers that are not log in. Is there a way to hide the prices if not
      • Multi-currency in Zoho CRM Forecast and Reports

        As a company we have branches in 4 different countries with as many different currencies. Our Sales Teams would like to work with their local currency as much as possible. The Forecast module using only 1 currency is practically usable only by the sales
      • Zoho Sprints iOS app update: Global view, screen capture control, file encryption, tags enhancement

        Hello everyone! We are excited to introduce new features in the latest version(v2.1) of the Zoho Sprints iOS app update. Let’s take a quick look at what’s new. 1. Global view Global view brings all your project items into one centralised space. You can
      • Zoho Projects Android and iOS app update: Conditional layout rules for Tasks

        Hello everyone! Task conditional layout rules configured on the web app(projects.zoho.com) are now applied on the Zoho Projects Android and iOS app. Conditional layout rules can be set for the Add/ edit task form and it allows you to change the property
      • How to account for vat with postponed VAT accounting

        Hi everyone, looking for some help with postponed VAT accounting, I use DHL express for my imports and they used to pay the VAT for me and then invoice me. I could then log this as a bill and the VAT element from import was recorded as input VAT, all
      • Introducing Formula Fields for performing dynamic calculations

        Greetings, With the Formula Field, you can generate numerical calculations using provided functions and available fields, enabling you to derive dynamic data. You can utilize mathematical formulas to populate results based on the provided inputs. This
      • Zobot with Plugs

        Hello, I am having a problem with Zobot using Plugs. Here is my current flow: When I run the flow, I should immediately see the messages from the initial cards (Send Message cards), then after running the plug, and finally, see the messages after the
      • Is there a way to show contact emails in the Account?

        I know I can see the emails I have sent and received on a Contact detail view, but I want to be able to see all the emails that have been sent and received between all an Accounts Contacts on the Account Detail view. That way when I see the Account detail
      • Invalid scope choice: Workdrive integration in CRM

        Bug: There is an invalid option in the permission choices for Workdrive integration in CRM. If the entry "WorkDrive.teamfolder.CREATE" is selected, it will return a message indicating invalid OAuth scope scope does not exist.
      • Dark Mode - Font Colors Don't Work

        When editing a document in Dark Mode and selecting font colors, they don't show up on screen.  Viewing/editing the same document in Light Mode shows them just fine.
      • Good news! Calendar in Zoho CRM gets a face lift

        Dear Customers, We are delighted to unveil the revamped calendar UI in Zoho CRM. With a complete visual overhaul aligned with CRM for Everyone, the calendar now offers a more intuitive and flexible scheduling experience. What’s new? Distinguish activities
      • Zoho mail admin panel not opening

      • Zoho CRM WooCommerce Integrtation

        Looking for a solution for my 50 client to show detailed analytics on source of traffic that led to events, leads, conversions. Hi all, I have not been able to find a workable guide or solution to how exactly step by step integrate the Zoho CRM with WooCommerce
      • Attaching files to emails within CRM Deals.

        Hello, We have recently started using the extension "Workdrive for CRM" (Related List) to view/store our documents for each Deal, instead of using Attachments. Overall it feels like a better way to go but the user experience is not so great when it comes
      • 500 internal server error on opening an iframe through a deluge script

        Hi Team I am trying to open an external url in an iframe through my deluge script which is associated to a custom button . By doing this i am getting an "Internal Server Error" . Please can you help me with this.
      • Kaizen #225 - Making Query-based Custom Related Lists Actionable with Lookups and Links

        Hello everyone! Welcome back to another post in the Kaizen series! This week, we will discuss an exciting enhancement in Queries in Zoho CRM. In Kaizen #190, we discussed how Queries bridge gaps where native related lists fall short and power custom related
      • Filter button in the Zoho Sheet Android App doesn't toggle on

        I am a new Zoho Sheets user and experiencing a specific issue with the filter functionality in the Android mobile application. Detailed Issue Description: The filter icon appears correctly in the toolbar. Upon tapping the filter icon/button, the toggle
      • Is Zoho Sites still actively being developed?

        Hello, Is Zoho Sites still actively being developed as part of the Zoho ecosystem? I noticed that the What's New page (https://www.zoho.com/sites/whats-new.html) does not show any updates since Q1 2025. We were considering migrating our website from Squarespace
      • Project Notifcatiion Emails - Milestone

        Hello: I cannot get myself, or most importantly my portal client user to recieve an email upon completion of a milestone. I have set up our 1st project. I have set up a test client user. (accepted the invitation and is listed in the system as a client
      • Zoho Forms - Feature Request - Year Field

        Hi Zoho Forms Team, You currently have the following date and time fields: Date Time Date and Time Year and Month It would be useful if you could include a "Year" field For example a recent application I completed said "What year was your house built?"
      • Integrate Excel or Zoho Sheet functions / calculations to CRM product module

        Hello Community, I hope someone more experienced can help me with this question. Our price / payment plan calculations are in an Excel spreadsheet and I would like to use all those functions / calculations in my Products module. So when we send a quote
      • Sync CRM Contacts to USER'S contacts on Office 365

        I can see that the O365 sync is transferring contacts backwards and forwards between Zoho CRM and Office365. But it has created a separate address book in Office 365 called "Zoho CRM Contacts". This address book is not used by Office/Outlook's email function
      • Manage Every Customer Conversation from Every Channel inside Zoho SalesIQ

        Your customers message you from everywhere. But are you really able to track, manage, and follow through on every conversation, without missing anything? With interactions coming in from websites, mobile apps, and messaging platforms like WhatsApp and
      • Zoho Books | Product updates | February 2026

        Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From Advanced Reporting Tags to the ability to mark projects as completed, explore the latest updates designed to improve your bookkeeping experience. Introducing Advanced Reporting
      • This project could not be synced because it is not associated with a primary client

        When I go to ProjectName->Finance I receive a "This project could not be synced because it is not associated with a primary client" error. The project has been associated in ZohoCRM with the client. How can I set the primary client for this project. Other
      • Update latitude & longitude address field API

        How do I update the coordinates of an address field from a widget? I can't modify the latitude and longitude of the address field. I think the problem is how I'm writing formdata variable. zoho_init.then(function (data) { var queryParams = ZOHO.CREATOR.UTIL.getQueryParams();
      • Zoho Forms - Feature Request - Past Into Scanning/OCR Field

        Hi Zoho Forms Team, You recently introduced the OCR/Scanning field which I have found great use for with one client who receives work orders as a screenshot from one customer. I want to raise a feature request here which would make that field even more
      • inability to use different primary address on invoice per location

        my company operates in two different locations with different email address. The problems then is the inability to edit the primary to suite the invoice for the second location.
      • Use Zoho Creator as a source for merge templates in Zoho Writer

        Hello all! We're excited to share that we've enhanced Zoho Creator's integration with Zoho Writer to make this combination even more powerful. You can now use Zoho Creator as a data source for mail merge templates in Zoho Writer. Making more data from
      • Anyone in Australia using Zoho Books AND has their account with NAB?

        Hi I have an account with both NAB and Suncorp. Suncorp transaction come in the next day however NAB transactions take 4-5 business days to appear. eg: A deposit made today in my Suncorp will be imported into Zoho tomorrow. A deposit made today to the NAB account will be imported maybe Saturday (Friday overnight). I have contacted both Zoho and NAB but noone seems to know why. I was just wondering if anyone else in Australia uses NAB and has this issue (or doesn't) maybe we could compare notes and
      • Detailed Balance Sheet for tax preparer

        I'm using the free edition of Zoho Books. My tax preparer is asking for "detailed" Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet reports which include all the activity and transactions within the various categories. The default reports do not include these details.
      • Zoho Projects - Cloning a task does not trigger task workflow when created

        Hello! I have a Project where my team uses a set of tasks from a tasklist as templates, so we could simply clone it and drag it to another list in kanban view to avoid creating a new one from scratch. The process works well, but after cloning it the new
      • Host Group Appointments Online in Zoho Bookings

        Greetings from the Zoho Bookings team! We’re excited to announce a new enhancement to Group Booking that makes hosting online group events smoother and more professional than ever. You can now conduct online group events with auto-generated meeting links
      • Can't rename groups on Mac desktop app

        I'm working on an up-to-date Mac with a freshly downloaded Notebook app. I'm trying to rename a group within a notebook. Here I have, left to right, a note, a group, and a note. I select the group. On the top left, I select Action. On the dropdown, "Rename"
      • Workdrive Collaboration with an External User

        I would like to know if I can setup a collaboration space with an external user in workdrive or do I need to add them as a user on my system? If I need to add them, can I add them on Workdrive only and give limit access to our space only?
      • FSM integration with Books

        Hi, I have spent a few months working with FSM and have come across a critical gap in the functionality, which I find almost shocking....either that, or I am an idiot. The lack of bi-directional sync between Books and FSM on Sales Orders/ Work Orders
      • Marketing Tip #23: Help customers with how-to guides and usage tips

        Customers don’t stop needing you after they place an order. Helping customers use your product correctly and confidently can improve satisfaction, reduce returns, and increase repeat purchases. Sharing simple how-to guides, usage tips, or care instructions
      • Powering Customer Support with our women

        In Zoho Desk support, women make up 50% of our team. We see this as one of our strengths, reflecting the spirit of this year’s theme, "Give to Gain". Our women find their balance Women carry many responsibilities — they represent frontline support, lead
      • Function #25: Automatically generate purchase orders from a sales order

        We kicked off the "Function Fridays" series with the goal of helping you automate your everyday accounting tasks. As we delve into today's post, I'm delighted to announce that we're here to present the 25th custom function in this series. While it is
      • ZOHO Reports are taking longer time to get refresh

        Hi Team, Since last few days, I'm facing issues in getting updated reports. For eg: right after making an expense entry or even posting a journal, it is taking longer then expected for the updated reports. Refer below: "You are viewing the report that
      • Next Page