Smart Document Automation:: From Zoho Projects to Zoho Writer – Merge, Edit, and Share

Smart Document Automation:: From Zoho Projects to Zoho Writer – Merge, Edit, and Share

Hello Everyone, 

A custom function is a software code that can be used to automate a process and this allows you to automate a notification, call a webhook, or perform logic immediately after a workflow rule is triggered. This feature helps to automate complex tasks and calculations.

In this post, I will present a specific use case that demonstrates the integration between Zoho Projects and Zoho Writer.


Use Case:

Merge data from Zoho Projects into a predefined template in Zoho Writer.
Automatically generate a fillable document.
Share the document link with a designated user, either specified within Zoho Writer or Zoho Projects.
Include fillable fields within the merge template, allowing the recipient to complete the necessary information.

This functionality has been successfully implemented using Custom Functions. The following steps outline the setup process. Refer to the attached screenshots for additional context.

Step 1: Navigate to Zoho Writer → Automate → Merge Template
Step 2: Click on 'Convert'
Step 3: Select a data source to start merging
Step 4: Select 'Custom Source'
Step 5: Click on 'Use' next to the Projects Fields
Step 6: Once done, enter the Zoho Org ID i.e., ZOID within the portalID.
Step 7: Click on 'Connections' within the same page → Create a Connection with the mentioned scopes.
Step 8: Click on 'Manage Fields' → Drag and Drop the required fields.
Step 9: You can setup the Merge options as per your concern as in this screen shot
Step 10: Click on 'Merge & Share Fillable Link'
Step 11: Select the required field from the 'Fields & Buttons'
Step 12: Configure the 'Merge & share fillable link'
Step 13: Click on 'Configure from submit actions' → Webhook & Custom Functions → Execute Custom Functions.

The following functionality can be achieved using the code provided below. Additionally, two connections must be created as outlined

  1. Zoho Projects Connection :: Create a connection for the Zoho Projects service with the following scopes 'ZohoProjects.projects.READZohoProjects.milestones.READZohoProjects.tasklists.READZohoProjects.tasks.READZohoProjects.users.READ, and ZohoProjects.clients.READ'.

    Update the placeholder 'xxxxxxxxx' with the actual connection name in ZPConnection.

  2. Zoho OAuth Connection :: Create a connection for the Zoho OAuth service with the following scopes 'ZohoWriter.documentEditor.ALL and ZohoWriter.Merge.ALL'.

    Replace 'yyyyyyyyy' with the actual connection name in ZWConnection.

For detailed guidance on creating a connection, please refer to this link. The required code is provided below.

//connections for authentication
tomailaddress = "a@b.com";
ZPConnection = "xxxxxxxxx";
ZWConnection = "yyyyyyyyy";
projectsDomain = "https://projectsapi.zoho.com/";
writerDomain = "https://zohoapis.com/";
headers = Map();
// Mandatory header - Do not remove
headers.put("x-zoho-service","ZohoWriter");
//Domain url for Projects and Writer
projectsDetailsUrl = projectsDomain + "restapi/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/";
milestoneDetailsUrl = projectsDomain + "restapi/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/milestones/";
taskListDetailsUrl = projectsDomain + "restapi/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/tasklists/";
taskDetailsUrl = projectsDomain + "restapi/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/tasks/";
projectsUsersUrl = projectsDomain + "/api/v3/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/users";
clientUsersUrl = projectsDomain + "api/v3/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/clients/users";
mergeFieldsUrl = writerDomain + "/writer/api/v1/documents/" + templateId + "/fields";
mergeAndStoreUrl = writerDomain + "/writer/api/v1/documents/" + templateId + "/merge/sharetofill";
projectsCommentUrl = projectsDomain + "api/v3/portal/" + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/comments";
getAllFields = invokeurl
[
url :mergeFieldsUrl
type :GET
connection:"writer"
];
if(!getAllFields.contains("error") && getAllFields.getJSON("merge").size() > 0)
{
values_map = Map();
projectDetails = invokeurl
[
url :projectsDetailsUrl
type :GET
headers:headers
connection:"connectionprojects"
];
if(!projectDetails.contains("error"))
{
projectFieldValues = projectDetails.getJson("projects").get(0);
projectCF = false;
if(projectFieldValues.contains("custom_fields"))
{
projectCF = true;
projectCustomfields = projectFieldValues.getJSON("custom_fields");
}
for each  mergeField in getAllFields.getJson("merge")
{
if(projectFieldValues.containsKey(mergeField.getJSON("id")))
{
if(mergeField.getJSON("id") == "TAGS")
{
tagList = List();
for each  tag in projectFieldValues.getJSON("TAGS")
{
tagList.add(tag.getJSON("name"));
}
values_map.put(mergeField.get("id"),tagList);
continue;
}
else
{
values_map.put(mergeField.get("id"),projectFieldValues.getJSON(mergeField.getJSON("id")));
continue;
}
}
// merge project customfields
if(projectCF == true)
{
for each  field in projectCustomfields
{
if(field.containsKey(mergeField.getJSON("id")))
{
values_map.put(mergeField.get("id"),field.getJSON(mergeField.getJSON("id")));
break;
}
}
}
// merge milestone details
if(mergeField.get("id") == "milestone_details")
{
milestoneDetilList = List();
MilestoneDetails = invokeurl
[
url :milestoneDetailsUrl
type :GET
headers:headers
connection:"connectionprojects"
];
if(!MilestoneDetails.contains("error"))
{
allMilestonedetails = MilestoneDetails.getJson("milestones");
for each  milestone in allMilestonedetails
{
milestoneDetilMap = Map();
for each  milestoneField in mergeField.getJSON("fields")
{
mergeFieldId = milestoneField.get("id");
mergeFieldName = mergeFieldId.subString("milestone_details.".length(),mergeFieldId.length());
//merge milestone fields
if(milestone.containsKey(mergeFieldName))
{
if(mergeFieldName == "tags")
{
tagList = List();
for each  tag in milestone.getJSON(mergeFieldName)
{
tagList.add(tag.getJSON("name"));
}
milestoneDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,tagList);
continue;
}
else if(mergeFieldName == "status")
{
milestoneDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,milestone.getJson("status_det").getJson("name"));
continue;
}
else
{
milestoneDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,milestone.getJson(mergeFieldName));
continue;
}
}
}
milestoneDetilList.add(milestoneDetilMap);
}
values_map.put("milestone_details",milestoneDetilList);
}
}
// merge tasklist details
if(mergeField.get("id") == "tasklist_details")
{
taskListDetilList = List();
getTasklistDetails = invokeurl
[
url :taskListDetailsUrl
type :GET
headers:headers
connection:"connectionprojects"
];
if(!getTasklistDetails.contains("error"))
{
taskListdetails = getTasklistDetails.getJson("tasklists");
for each  tasklist in taskListdetails
{
taskListDetilMap = Map();
for each  taskListField in mergeField.getJSON("fields")
{
mergeFieldId = taskListField.get("id");
mergeFieldName = mergeFieldId.subString("tasklist_details.".length(),mergeFieldId.length());
//merge tasklist fields
if(tasklist.containsKey(mergeFieldName))
{
if(mergeFieldName == "tags")
{
tagDetails = List();
for each  tag in tasklist.getJson(mergeFieldName)
{
tagDetails.add(tag.getJSON("name"));
}
taskListDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,tagDetails);
continue;
}
else
{
taskListDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,tasklist.getJson(mergeFieldName));
continue;
}
}
}
taskListDetilList.add(taskListDetilMap);
}
values_map.put("tasklist_details",taskListDetilList);
}
}
// merge task details
if(mergeField.get("id") == "task_details")
{
taskDetilList = List();
getTaskDetails = invokeurl
[
url :taskDetailsUrl
type :GET
headers:headers
connection:"connectionprojects"
];
if(!getTaskDetails.contains("error"))
{
taskdetails = getTaskDetails.getJson("tasks");
for each  taskdetail in taskdetails
{
taskDetilMap = Map();
taskCFs = false;
if(taskdetail.contains("custom_fields"))
{
taskCFs = true;
taskCustomfields = taskdetail.getJSON("custom_fields");
}
for each  taskField in mergeField.getJSON("fields")
{
mergeFieldId = taskField.get("id");
mergeFieldName = mergeFieldId.subString("task_details.".length(),mergeFieldId.length());
//merge task fields
if(taskdetail.containsKey(mergeFieldName))
{
if(mergeFieldName == "tasklist" || mergeFieldName == "status")
{
taskDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,taskdetail.getJson(mergeFieldName).getJson("name"));
continue;
}
else if(mergeFieldName == "tags")
{
tagDetails = List();
for each  tag in taskdetail.getJson(mergeFieldName)
{
tagDetails.add(tag.getJSON("name"));
}
taskDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,tagDetails);
continue;
}
else
{
taskDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,taskdetail.getJson(mergeFieldName));
continue;
}
}
else if(taskdetail.containsKey("details"))
{
if(mergeFieldName == "owners")
{
ownerDetail = List();
ownerList = taskdetail.getJson("details").getJSON("owners");
for each  owner in ownerList
{
ownerDetail.add(owner.getJson("name"));
}
taskDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,ownerDetail);
continue;
}
}
else if(taskdetail.containsKey("log_hours"))
{
if(mergeFieldName == "billable_hours" || mergeFieldName == "non_billable_hours")
{
taskDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,taskdetail.getJson("log_hours").getJSON(mergeFieldName));
continue;
}
}
//merge task customfields
if(taskCFs == true)
{
for each  taskCF in taskCustomfields
{
if(taskCF.containsKey(mergeFieldName))
{
taskDetilMap.put(mergeFieldId,taskCF.getJson(mergeFieldName));
break;
}
}
}
}
taskDetilList.add(taskDetilMap);
}
values_map.put("task_details",taskDetilList);
}
}
// merge projectUsers
if(mergeField.get("id") == "project_users")
{
projectUserList = List();
getProjectUsers = invokeurl
[
url :projectsUsersUrl
type :GET
connection:"connectionprojects"
];
if(!getProjectUsers.contains("error"))
{
projectUserdetails = getProjectUsers.getJson("users");
for each  userDetails in projectUserdetails
{
projectUsersMap = Map();
for each  userField in mergeField.getJSON("fields")
{
mergeFieldId = userField.get("id");
mergeFieldName = mergeFieldId.subString("project_users.".length(),mergeFieldId.length());
//merge projectusers fields
if(mergeFieldName == "role")
{
if(userDetails.get(mergeFieldName).size() > 0)
{
projectUsersMap.put(mergeFieldId,userDetails.getJSON(mergeFieldName).getJSON("name"));
continue;
}
}
else if(mergeFieldName == "profile")
{
if(userDetails.get(mergeFieldName).size() > 0)
{
projectUsersMap.put(mergeFieldId,userDetails.getJSON(mergeFieldName).getJSON("name"));
continue;
}
}
else
{
projectUsersMap.put(mergeFieldId,userDetails.getJSON(mergeFieldName));
continue;
}
}
projectUserList.add(projectUsersMap);
}
values_map.put("project_users",projectUserList);
}
}
// merge clients users
if(mergeField.get("id") == "client_users")
{
clientUserList = List();
getProjectClientUser = invokeurl
[
url :clientUsersUrl
type :GET
connection:"connectionprojects"
];
if(!getProjectClientUser.contains("error"))
{
clientUserdetails = getProjectClientUser.getJson("clients").getJSON("users");
for each  userDetails in clientUserdetails
{
clientUsersMap = Map();
for each  userField in mergeField.getJSON("fields")
{
mergeFieldId = userField.get("id");
mergeFieldName = mergeFieldId.subString("client_users.".length(),mergeFieldId.length());
// merge clientsUsers
if(!mergeFieldName == "profile")
{
clientUsersMap.put(mergeFieldId,userDetails.getJSON(mergeFieldName));
continue;
}
else
{
clientUsersMap.put(mergeFieldId,userDetails.getJSON("profile").getJson("name"));
continue;
}
}
clientUserList.add(clientUsersMap);
}
values_map.put("client_users",clientUserList);
}
}
}
mergeDataParams = Map();
mergeDataParams.put("merge_data",{"data":values_map});
mergeAndStore = invokeurl
[
url :mergeAndStoreUrl
type :POST
parameters:mergeDataParams
connection:"writer"
];
if(!mergeAndStore.containsKey("error") && mergeAndStore.containsKey("merge_report_url"))
{
   mailMessage =  "Fill in the document " + mergeAndStore.get("records").get(0).get("fillable_link");
sendmail
[
from :zoho.loginuserid
to :tomailaddress
subject :"Fillable document link"
message :mailMessage
]
}
return mergeAndStore;
}
else
{
return projectDetails;
}
}
else
{
return getAllFields;
}

Creating custom functions in Zoho Projects is a straightforward process, supported by comprehensive documentation. Zoho offers a variety of built-in functions that serve as useful starting points, and you can also define your own functions using Zoho’s scripting language, Deluge. Implementing these functions can significantly enhance efficiency and improve productivity.

Stay tuned for additional examples and custom function scripts.

    • Sticky Posts

    • Automate Timesheet Approvals with Multi-level Approval Rules

      Introducing Approval Rules for Timesheets in Zoho Projects. With this automation, teams can manage how timesheets are reviewed and approved by setting up rules with criteria and assigning approvers to handle submissions. Timesheet, when associated to
    • Accessibility Spotlight Series - 1

      Every user interacts with products differently, what feels intuitive to one may be challenging for another. Addressing this, accessibility is built into Zoho Project's design philosophy. This helps users navigate and perform actions with ease irrespective
    • Customize User Invites with Invitation Templates

      Invitation Templates help streamline the invitation process by allowing users to create customized email formats instead of sending a one-size-fits-all email. Different invitation templates can be created for portal users and client users to align with
    • Zoho Projects - Q3 Updates | 2025

      Hello Users, The final quarter of the year 2025 has begun, and we at Zoho Projects are all set with a plan. New targets to achieve and new milestones to reach, influenced by the lasting imprint of the past quarter. 2025's Q3 saw some new features and
    • Introducing Version-3 APIs - Explore New APIs & Enhancements

      Happy to announce the release of Version 3 (V3) APIs with an easy to use interface, new APIs, and more examples to help you understand and access the APIs better. V3 APIs can be accessed through our new link, where you can explore our complete documentation,
      • Recent Topics

      • How to unlink a SAML user from the existing Zoho Desk user (domain change case)

        Hi everyone, I’m trying to understand how to handle a situation where a customer changes their company domain. In our setup, users authenticate via SAML, so when the domain changes, the SAML system treats them as a new user. However, in Zoho Desk, I’d
      • Price Managment

        I have been in discussions with Zoho for some time and not getting what I need. Maybe someone can help explain the logic behind this for me as I fail to understand. When creating an item, you input a sales rate and purchase rate. These rates are just
      • Related to zoho survey

        Hi team. I want to know something regarding zoho survey question builder. I have two questions each of dropdown (One answer) - question type. In the first question, there are 16 answer choices and in the second question, there are 3 answer choices. For
      • Creator HTML page refresh

        Hi, I have added around 5 different html snippets in single creator page. I understand, I can refresh the entire page from page script using Navigational URLs https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/creator/developer-guide/others/url-patterns/articles/navigational-urls
      • 60 Days Into Zoho - Tiktok Branding Startup -7 Questions?!

        Wsp Everybody I co-own a TikTok Branding / Consulting Startup & have been using Zoho for the past 60 days - Am now looking to make our overall operations & processes more Efficient & Effective! Curious to know how others are using the platform & what's
      • Text Message

        When trying to sent a text message, it says its an error i should contact a zoho agent
      • Zoho POS is now available for Canadian retailers

        Hey everyone, We're excited to introduce the all-new Canadian edition of Zoho POS, which helps retail businesses simplify and manage their end-to-end business operations. Start by signing up and exploring the 15-day free trial. Sign up now How does Zoho
      • Zoho CRM - Option to create Follow-Up Task

        When completing a Zoho CRM Task, it would be very helpful if there was an option to "Complete and Create Follow-Up Task" in the pop-up which appears. It could clone the task you are closing and then show it on the screen in edit mode, all the user would
      • Payroll In Canada

        Hi, When can we expect to have payroll in Canada with books 
      • Mass update to change or shift all project dates and keep project structure + shift all sub-tasks dates with main tasks

        Most users would expect that if they change the start date of their project then that will be reflected inside the actual project and any project structure would be retained.  Additionally if a task list with associated sub-tasks is moved, most users would expect that those sub-tasks would also be moved along with their parent task.  This is not the case. For a total Project shift of dates: * the start and end date from > "Edit Project" page can have a radio button added to "shift all project tasks
      • Closing Accounting Periods - Invoice/Posting dates

        Hi, I have seen in another thread but I'm unsure on how the 'transaction locking' works with regards to new and old transactions. When producing monthly accounts if I close December 24 accounts on 8th Jan 25 will transaction locking prevent me from posting
      • In-person ZUG Meetups for Real Estate Professionals - US Q1 2026

        The Real Estate Zoho User Group is going on a multi-city, in-person meetup tour across the US, and we’d love to see you there! These meetups are a great opportunity to: Connect with fellow real estate professionals using Zoho Share challenges and discover
      • Introducing WhatsApp integration in Bigin

        Greetings! In today's business landscape, messaging apps play a significant role in customer operations. Customers can engage with businesses, seek support, ask questions, receive personalized recommendations, read reviews, and even make purchases—all
      • Zoho CRM custom fields not showing in zoho creator

        Hi Team, I have created a Products form with Zoho CRM integration and connected it to Products module of CRM. But when I see the reports of Products in Zoho creator then I am not able to see custom fields of Products module. Only standard fields of Products
      • Sending email notifications based on language

        Hello. I would like to know how we can bypass the default notifications (which are just in English) for when a ticket is created/replied to/closed, to be in other languages, based on the language field in the ticket? I can create other email templates,
      • 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.
      • Zoho Error: This Operation has been restricted. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details

        Hello There, l tried to verify my domain (florindagoreti.com.br) and its shows this error: This Operation has been restricted. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details. Screenshot Given Below -  please check what went wrong. Thanks
      • Send Zoho Forms Link using Zoho CRM Email Templates

        I have set up Zoho Forms and CRM integration to pre-populate data from Zoho CRM to Zoho Forms. The setup is working fine. I have also created an email template in the Zoho CRM deals module to send Zoho forms links. So when I send an email using that template
      • Introducing parent-child ticketing in Zoho Desk [Early access]

        Hello Zoho Desk users! We have introduced the parent-child ticketing system to help customer service teams ensure efficient resolution of issues involving multiple, related tickets. You can now combine repetitive and interconnected tickets into parent-child
      • Download a file from within a zoho creator widget

        I have a widget running in Zoho Creator , it displays uploaded documents in a table file, and I have added a download link in the view. ( The widget is created with html, css and javascript). I do not succeed in getting the download working. Do I have
      • Correlated subqueries not supported in Zoho Analytics. This creates huge limitations

        Running into a major limitation in Zoho Analytics: correlated subqueries simply don’t work, even in completely standard SQL patterns inside a JOIN. Example: LEFT JOIN "Bills" b ON d."Id" = b."Deal ID" AND EXISTS ( SELECT 1 FROM "Bill
      • Zoho / Outlook Calendar sync

        The current Marketplace -> Microsoft -> Meetings integration needs 2 changes. 1. The current language for the Two-Way sync option should be changed. It currently states, "Sync both your Zoho CRM Calendar and Office 365 Calendar meetings with each other."
      • Email content just contain 'OK' ,not what we expect

        create campaign API URL: https://campaigns.zoho.com/api/v1.1/createCampaign req params: {'campaignname': 'General_Outreach_d0cfc415-43aa-4b96-bb09-558e76a3dda3_50_20251117_214806_660', 'from_email': 'admin@allinmedia.ai', 'subject': 'ALL IN MEDIA', 'list_details':
      • Introducing the all-new email parser!

        Greetings, We are pleased to introduce to you, a brand-new, upgraded version of the Zoho CRM Email Parser, which is packed with fresh features and has been completely redesigned to meet latest customers needs and their business requirements. On that note,
      • Possible to connect Zoho CRM's Sandbox with Zoho Creator's Sandbox?

        We are making some big changes on our CRM so we are testing it out in CRM's Sandbox. We also have a Zoho Creator app that we need to test. Is it possible to connect Zoho CRM's Sandbox to Zoho Creator's Sandbox so that I can perform those tests?
      • Reopen ticket

        Hello! Can I reopen a ticket just using the API ticket/sendReply ? What's the rules to do it? I'm trying but it doesn't reopen the ticket, it just send the reply
      • Allow Admins to Transfer Ownership of Their Own Files & Folders

        Hi Zoho WorkDrive Team, Hope you are doing well. We would like to request an important enhancement to the ownership-transfer functionality in Zoho WorkDrive, specifically regarding administrator capabilities. As administrators, we have the ability to
      • Tip#46: Capture accurate log hours

        Hello everyone, Use the newly introduced timer settings that will streamline the usage of timers and help admins or workspace owners to manage the time entries of the workspace users better. Check out the below mentioned timer settings added to the Timesheet
      • Moving to app-specific authentication for Google integrations

        Hello everyone, We’re making an important change to how Google integrations work in our platform. Until now, we used a common Google project across Zoho to enable integrations like Google Drive, Calendar, and more. Going forward, we’ll be moving to an
      • Double opt-in notifications and customizable confirmation messages for your webforms

        Dear CRM Community, We are excited to announce a major upgrade to our Webforms feature. You can now customize the confirmation message shown to your users who double opt-in from your webform and also customize your confirmation emails when they submit
      • Lost the ability to sort by ticket owner

        Hi all, in the last week or so, we have lost the ability to sort tickets by Ticket Owner. Unlike the other columns which we can hover over and click on to sort, Ticket Owner is no longer clickable. Is it just us, or are other customers seeing this too?
      • Using a CRM Client Script Button to create a Books Invoice

        Hello, I need help handling error messages returned to my client script from a function. The scenario I have setup a client script button which is available from each Deal. This CS executes a crm function, which in turn creates an invoice based on the
      • Standalone custom function not generating logs

        Why dont't standalone custom functions generate logs when the're called from another function? I have some functions (workflow, buttons and blueprint) that have common parts, so I put that part in a standalone function which is called from the others.
      • How Can i put a form in Zobot

        Hi,how can i integrate a form which has a multiple options to choose from.the form should be opened or displayed by zobot after it meets a requirement in the conversation. Thanks in advance !
      • Has Anyone successfully integrated Zoho and Sage Intact?

        Hey all, We’re evaluating Zoho One + Sage Intacct and I’m trying to connect with anyone who has actually implemented the two together.Specifically, I’d love to know: -- Which functions you kept in Zoho vs. Intacct (e.g., Product Catalog, AR/AP, invoicing,
      • Admin asked me for Backend Details when I wanted to verify my ZeptoMail Account

        Please provide the backend details where you will be adding the SMTP/API information of ZeptoMail Who knows what this means?
      • Playback and Management Enhancements for Zoho Quartz Recordings

        Hello Zoho Team, We hope you're all doing well. We would like to submit a feature request related to Zoho Quartz, the tool used to record and share browser sessions with Zoho Support. 🎯 Current Functionality As of now, Zoho Quartz allows users to record
      • Zoho Analytics - Feature Request For Time Based Data Source Fetch

        Hi Analytics Team, I have a client using Zoho CRM and they want a weekly report at 4:30pm every Friday, emailed to the sales team showing a pie chart of Closed Won Deals for that week. This is easy to achieve in Analytics but not so easy to ensure the
      • Which user's capacity is used for Shared Mailbox storage?

        We use shared mailboxes at our company, and their size is increasing daily. Which user(s)'s total mailbox limit is being used up by this space?
      • Inserting the current date / time

        I'd like to use Zoho Notebook as a log - so it would be great to be able to insert the current date and time at the beginning (or end) of each my log/journal entries - or wherever I want. Something simple, like pressing a button/icon to insert it wherever my text cursor is. It could be formatted like "Mon Dec 11, 2017 - 11:43p". 
      • Next Page