Tip #3 Automating total item weight calculation for your sales orders in Zoho Inventory

Tip #3 Automating total item weight calculation for your sales orders in Zoho Inventory

Hello,


Hope the day is treating you well.
Last week, we saw how we could automate the calculation of total shipping charges from numerous shipments for your sales orders and invoices. This week, we will see how you can automate the calculation of total item weight for your sales orders. 

How does this work?
First, you are required to capture the weight of all your items using a custom field. And when you create a sales order, you can either have the system display the individual weights for you or you can manually enter new weights. You are also required to define a custom field under sales orders and packages called Weight to capture the total package weight. Through the custom function, the system will then add up the individual weights of items to arrive at a total weight and display it on your sales orders and packages. Later when you ship via a carrier, you can refer manually to this weight and input them into the shipment order to generate shipping rates.

Note: This custom function works only if a sales order has a single package. If there are multiple packages, then please note that this function will display the total weight of all items in the sales order inside of every package and not the total weight of items present inside that package. 

What do you need before writing the custom function?

How do I set it up?

Log in to your Zoho account and click on this link to generate an Auth Token which is required to make this work.

 

  • Open your Zoho Inventory organization.

  • Navigate to Settings using the gear icon from the top-right corner.

  • Select Automation from the sidebar. Now click on the button adjacent to +New Workflow Rule.

  • Out of the four options from the drop-down, select Custom Functions.

  • Now let's add a name for this workflow rule and make sure that there are no spaces between words.

  • Choose "Sales Orders" against the module field.

  • Add a description if you need one.

  • Now, the workflow type is going to be "Event Based".

  • And for the trigger, we are going to choose the option - "when a Sales Order is created".

In the deluge pane, we are going to copy and paste the following code snippet:


authtoken = "Copy and paste your authtoken here";
salesorderID = salesorder.get("salesorder_id");
salesorderdate = salesorder.get("date").toDate();
organizationID = organization.get("organization_id");
bson=Map();
lineitems=salesorder.get("line_items").toList();
weight=List();
for each line in lineitems
{
cfs=line.get("item_custom_fields").toList();
for each cf in cfs
{
if(cf.get("label").toString().equalsIgnoreCase("weight")) /*replace with item level custom field name*/
{
weight.add(cf.get("value").toDecimal() * line.get("quantity"));
break;
}
}
}
wei=0;
j=0;
for each index j in weight
{
wei=wei + weight.get(j).toDecimal();
}
info wei;
cf=List();
cf1=Map();
cf1.put("label","Weight"); /* replace with sales order custom field */
cf1.put("value",wei);
cf.add(cf1);
customs=salesorder.get("custom_fields").toList();
customs.addAll(cf);
bson.put("custom_fields",customs);
bson.put("customer_id",salesorder.get("customer_id"));
res=zoho.inventory.updateRecord("SalesOrders", organizationID,salesorderID, bson);
info res.toMap().get("message");

  • Before you save, you are required to copy and paste your auth token inside the quotes in the 1st line that says:

    • authtoken = "Copy and Paste your auth token in place of this text";

    • The auth token is a critical piece of information that helps the system identify you, so keep yours safe and confidential. Do not share it with anyone, not even folks from Zoho.

  • Now, hit Save to finish.

Henceforth, the total weight of all your items in a sales order you make will be calculated automatically and updated to the package that is associated with it. 

Don't use this, if you have multiple packages for a single order.


Hope this makes shipping a little more easier for you. Have you tried custom functions for your business? Email us your recipes (scenarios and code snippets), questions and suggestions to support@zoho-inventory.com.


Until next time!


Your everyday end user,

Ajay Aadhithya Chandrasekaran

Zoho Inventory



      • Recent Topics

      • Calendar not working

        Are we the only ones. On any browser we cannot click on any of our calendar appointments and get them to open. They just make the browser loop. WE have reached out and have been told they are working on it. The office staff are really stuck. The point

      • Tip of the week #16 - Search and filter threads based on criteria

        Zoho TeamInbox lets you search and filter threads with any information that you have about the thread. You just have to input the criteria and Zoho TeamInbox will list all the threads that match the condition.   Firstly, there is a global search you can

      • WhatsApp Message Template Quick Reply Buttons

        Hello, I created my first Message Template to overcome the 24-hr messaging window and it was approved by WhatsApp/Meta. When I go to Meta, I also see that template brought from Zoho Desk, and used it via Zoho Desk IM. However, I notice that when in Meta's

      • Account in Quick View Filter

        I have a report that I often run against a specific Account. Every time, I have to go into the edit menu and change the Advanced Filter. I would prefer to use the Quick View Filter, but it does not allow me to use the one and only field that makes any

      • Collapsible Sections & Section Navigation Needed

        The flexibility of Zoho CRM has expanded greatly in the last few years, to the point that a leads module is now permissible to contain up to 350 fields. We don't use that many, but we are using 168 fields which are broken apart into 18 different sections.

      • Set Display for Numbers/Currency/etc with Client Script/Customization in Canvas List Page

        Is it possible to set a display mask for a number/currency field using Client Script or customization? I have custom fields that I would like to keep the decimal places for calculation purposes, but do not need them displayed to the user. So 101.3568

      • 136.143.188.51 blocked by spamcop

        Zoho mailserver seems to be blocked by spamcop. Cant send mail to my customer. Not sure what to do.

      • 🚀 WorkDrive 5.0: Evolving from a file sharing app to an intelligent content management platform: Phase 2

        Hello everyone, WorkDrive's primary focus has always been to provide an intelligent and secure content management platform, simplify collaboration, and be the central repository of files for all Zoho apps. In our previous announcement, we unveiled the

      • Sync desktop folders instantly with WorkDrive TrueSync (Beta)

        Keeping your important files backed up and accessible has never been easier! With WorkDrive desktop app (TrueSync), you can now automatically sync specific desktop folders to WorkDrive Web, ensuring seamless, real-time updates across devices. Important:

      • i keep see there is a connetion issue connecting 3rd party api on zoho when using zia

        hi there , i have set up open ai api to zoho zia (copied and pasted to zoho zia) but I keep getting notificaiton "there is a connetion issue connecting 3rd party api on zoho" when using zia on top when click zia and try to type in word there

      • Deleting Fields in CRM Deletes Views in Analytics

        Hey friends! I'm having some issues when we modify some fields within ZohoCRM. There are times where we need to sunset a field and eventually completely remove it. In these instances, it seems like a lot of views are removed in Analytics. This ranges

      • Booking outside of scheduled availability

        Is there a way for staff (such as the secretary) to book appointments outside of the scheduled availability? Right now to do this special hours must be set each time. There should be a quicker way. Am I missing something?

      • Zoho Desk Android and iOS app update: Access multilingual templates on the IM module

        Hello everyone! We have introduced multilingual templates on the IM module of the Zoho Desk mobile app allowing you to send IM template messages in translated versions. iOS: Android: Please update the app to the latest version directly from the App Store/

      • Can't login IMAP suddenly

        Since this evening I'm getting the error: You are yet to enable IMAP for your account. Please contact your administrator... IMAP always been enabled in my account and was workign fine for the past 7 years. Already tried turning IMAP off and on again.

      • Does Zoho offer a full WhatsApp Marketing Platform (like WATI / GallaBox)?

        lm exploring WhatsApp marketing and I’d like to understand what options are available within the Zoho ecosystem. Currently, I see: Zoho SalesIQ has a broadcast option, but it seems very limited — for example, it doesn’t support uploading contacts via

      • Custom buttons

        Getting Error "You can only create 10 custom buttons per module" ! I already have more than 10 for 1 module before trying to create another. Is this a new restriction brought about by the all knowing what's best for businesses Zoho guru ? It would be

      • The Social Wall: October 2025

        Hello everyone, As we head toward the end of the year, we’re bringing you a few updates to help give your social media efforts a strong finish. This month, we’re rolling out new enhancements across both the web and mobile app. Post Preview Have you ever

      • Client Script | Update - Support for List Page (Canvas) and Notes

        Hello everyone! We are glad to announce two exciting updates in Client Script. Client Script support for List Page (Canvas) Client Script support for Notes These open the door to more dynamic and interactive customizations! 1. Client Script support for

      • Pincode Based Pricing

        We want to give extra discount to customers within city limits because our shipping and packing costs are less. My proposal is assign list of pincodes to price list and assign the price list to customers whenever they sign up with pincodes. Also show

      • feature question: lookup field in Projects task layout

        Hello, Below we have interface to configure a custom task layout, however, we need a lookup field to let pickup data from other apps, such as Zoho CRM Products module, is that possible or already in your roadmap? or a workaround to achieve it? Thanks in advance.

      • Can we do Image swatches for color variants?

        We want to do something like the attached screenshot on our new zoho store. We need image swatches instead of normal text selection. We want to user to select an image as color option. Is this doable? I don't see any option on zoho backend. Please h

      • What's New in Zoho Analytics - October 2025

        Hello Users! We're are back with a fresh set of updates and enhancements to make data analysis faster and more insightful. Take a quick look at what’s new and see how these updates can power up your reports and dashboards. Explore What's New! Extreme

      • Zoho Analytics & SQL Server - Live connect

        Below are the steps I did Created a fresh database and table in my own virtual server Created a new data source connection with live connect I was able to select the tables and created the data source successfully I am getting the error when I try to

      • Explore the Redesigned Quotes Module in Zoho Billing

        Dear users, We’re excited to introduce a refreshed look for the Quotes details page in Zoho Billing! This update brings you a more efficient user interface experience without changing your existing workflow. We've enhanced layouts with organized tabs,

      • Latest updates in Zoho Meeting | Create departments, Share PDF files

        Hello all,   You can now create departments to group team members within your organization. This will make it easier for you to organize department-level meetings and invite members. In webinars, use the Share material feature to share PDF files directly

      • Unify All Zoho Video Meeting Experiences into One Standardized Platform

        Hi Zoho Team, We would like to share an important user experience concern regarding the current state of video meeting functionality across the Zoho ecosystem. The Problem Within Zoho, there are multiple ways to initiate or schedule a video meeting: Zoho

      • [Free Webinar] Product Updates: Quick Catch-Up Session - Part I - Creator Tech Connect

        Hello Everyone! We welcome you all to the upcoming free webinar on the Creator Tech Connect Series. The Creator Tech Connect series is a free monthly webinar featuring deep-dive technical sessions designed for developers, administrators, and app builders.

      • Project expenses in Zoho Books

        Just the way timesheet is used to calculate labour cost for a particular project, how do i record other expenses against a project such as materials and consumables used for the project? So that under report, I can view the total amount expended on each

      • Blueprint status change

        I want to change the Blueprint status of a workflow. The status is completed automatically when I added the record through API call. But I want to make it active, I don't see any options for this. Even if I draw transition from any stage , it is not visible

      • What is going on with GMail extension.

        Suddenly, it is popping up and saying "Please wait while we work our magic... 10%" and it sits there. Yesterday I waited for an entire hour call and it never got further. Today, it's not resolved. Is there a fix I can do? I've tried all the typical

      • Marketing Tip #6: Cross-sell with related products

        Don’t let customers stop at just one product. Suggesting related or complementary items improves the shopping experience and increases order value. Try this today: Use the Item Recommendations feature in Zoho Commerce and add two to three suggested items

      • i cannot use <b></b> to bold the message in Creator C6!!!!???What?

        Dear experts and friends, Now Creator 6 blocking us from using <b></b> Anyone facing this issue? I faced it on Creator C6 Previously, it used to work. Now failed to work. Faint~ Seek guidance from everyone on how to bold the message. The super simple

      • Zoho Writer - Option to Export as .zdoc format

        I've noticed that it's not possible to export a Zoho Writer Document in the .zdoc format. Isn't zdoc, Zoho Writer's own format? My use case is that I sometimes need to create quite complex documents with floating elements, which sometimes need to become

      • [Announcement] Enhanced Merge APIs of Zoho Writer for automating document generation using Zoho Apps data

        Hi users, With the record_id parameter in Zoho Writer's Merge APIs, fields related to the given record id is automatically fetched from the Zoho app. You don't have to spend time manually mapping the records and fields in the Deluge code. Here is a sample

      • Pin multiple columns and adjust column widths in CRM subforms

        Hello all, Subforms act as secondary forms or tables in which you can associate multiple line items to a primary record and thereby ensure more structured and comprehensive data organization. We've made some recent enhancements to subforms. Here's what's

      • [Webinar] Automate sales and presales workflows with Writer

        Sales involves sharing a wide range of documents with customers across the presales, sales, and post-sales stages: NDAs, quotes, invoices, sales orders, and delivery paperwork. Generating and managing these documents manually slows down the overall sales

      • Automate insurance document workflows with Zoho Writer

        Insurance companies have to deal with creating and managing complex documents and forms, such as policy applications, explanation of benefits documents, brochures, renewals, and claim forms. Handling all of this manually is hugely time and effort intensive,

      • Latest updates in Zoho Meeting | New End of session notification to remind everyone about the session end time

        Hello everyone, We’re excited to share a new feature for Zoho Meeting ; End of session notification. With this new setting, you can choose to remind all participants or only the host about the scheduled end time of a meeting. You can also choose when

      • [Webinar] Zoho Writer for SCM and logistics

        Creating, sharing, and distributing complex documents are constant challenges in the SCM and logistics industry. That's why our next webinar is focused on how to simplify these document workflows. Join us on Jul 10, 2025 for a Zoho Writer webinar designed

      • [Webinar] Zoho Writer for the manufacturing industry

        Creating, sharing, and distributing complex documents are constant challenges in the manufacturing services industry. That's why our next webinar is focused on how to simplify these document workflows. Join us on May 8, 2025, for a Zoho Writer webinar

      • Next Page