Kaizen #107 - Field Trackers in ZOHO CRM

Kaizen #107 - Field Trackers in ZOHO CRM

Hey folks! Welcome to a fresh week of Kaizen. 

In this post, we will be looking at the Field Trackers in ZOHO CRM APIs. Currently, this support is provided to all the picklist fields (system-defined and custom) and is available by default for a picklist field (Stage) in the Deals module and a datetime field (Rescheduled_To) in the Appointments module. 

Field Trackers 

Field trackers in ZOHO CRM help you to monitor the changes made to a specific field. It ensures data integrity and compliance as it helps in maintaining the history of changes applied to the critical data. 

It captures the details such as who made the change, when the change occurred, the previous and current values of the field. Users can use this data to analyse how a field's value evolved and identify the important patterns/trends in the business. 

Picklist Field Trackers 

Both system-defined and custom picklist fields support Field Tracker. The history details of the field will be available in a related list with five default fields - picklist values, duration, modified time, modified by, and moved to.

To enable this support for a picklist, follow these steps. 
  • Go to Setup > Customization > Modules and Fields in your ZOHO CRM account. 
  • Select your desired module in which you want to create a picklist field tracker. 
  • Select the settings icon (...) of the required picklist field and click Edit Properties.
  • In the Picklist properties page, select the Enable history tracking for picklist values checkbox.
Refer to this help guide to learn more about picklist trackers and how to add additional fields that you want to view in the picklist history related list. At most, only one picklist field can be tracked within a module.

Consider you are a Manager and you have enabled field tracking for the Lead Status picklist field within the Leads module to trace the timeline of your leads' status changes. Now, take the following steps to obtain the picklist history details:

STEP 1: Make a GET Fields Metadata API call to the Leads module.  
STEP 2: In the response, check for the history_tracking key in the Lead Status field. 



In the history_tracking key, 
  • the module key, provides both the api_name and id of the new module responsible for tracking picklist history details. As a result, it naturally establishes a relationship with the Leads module, and it will be accessible as a new related list within the same module.  
  •  the duration_configured_field key provides the field api_name and id of the key which contains the duration of the picklist values in that picklist tracking module. 
STEP 3: With the api_name of new picklist tracking module, you can fetch the history details in two ways. 

(i) Fetching picklist changes of all the leads records from that new module

As we already know that picklist tracking details are maintained in a new module, make a GET Records API call with the following details. 

Replace the module_api_name with the api_name of the picklist tracking module(Lead_Status_History), which is obtained from the fields metadata of the Leads module.

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/{module_api_name} 
For our case, it will be provided as https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v5/Lead_Status_History. 
Request Method: GET
Possible Parameters: fields, page, per_page, sort_by and sort_order.
For our case, make a GET Fields Metadata API call to the related list (Lead_Status_History). The response will give you the list of fields available in the related list. 
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL (or) ZohoCRM.modules.{module_name}.READ 
Sample Response:



To fetch individual history records, use this {api-domain}/crm/{version}/{module_api_name}/{record_id} request url and replace the record_id with the id fetched in this response.

(ii) Fetching the history details of a particular lead

This approach fetches the related list data of a particular record in a module (here it is Leads). 
Make a GET Related Records Data API call with these details. 

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/{module_api_name}/{record_id}/{related_list_api_name}
For our case, it will be given as https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v5/Leads/5545974000004023008/Lead_Status_History.
Request Method: GET
Possible Parameters: fields, page, per_page, sort_by and sort_order.
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL (or) ZohoCRM.modules.{module_name}.READ 
Sample Response:



To fetch individual history records, use this {api-domain}/crm/{version}/{module_api_name}/{record_id}/{related_list_api_name}/{related_record_id} request url and replace the related_record_id  with the id fetched in this response.

Stage History

In the Deals module, a picklist field called Stage acts as a default field tracker. The history details of this picklist are recorded in a new module called DealHistory. In this module, there are four default fields followed from the Deals module which cannot be unfollowed. They are Expected Revenue, Amount, Probability and Closing date. You can add additional fields from the Deals module to this list based on your requirement. 

The module's relationship with the Deals module identifies it as a related list within the Deals module as Stage History.  You can retrieve the history details of this default picklist field tracker in those aforementioned two ways. 

Let us show you a sample of each way for better understanding.

(i) Fetching picklist changes of all the deals records from DealHistory

Make a GET Records API call to the DealHistory module with the following details.

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Stage_History or {api-domain}/crm/{version}/DealHistory/{record_id} 
Request Method: GET
Possible Parameters: fields, page, per_page, sort_by and sort_order.
Make a GET Fields Metadata API call to DealHistory to get the list of fields. 
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL (or) ZohoCRM.modules.DealHistory.READ
Sample Response:


(ii) Fetching the history details of a particular deal

Make a GET Related Records Data API call with these details. 

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Deals/{record_id}/Stage_History or {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Deals/{record_id}/Stage_History/{related_record_id}
Request Method: GET
Possible Parameters: fields, page, per_page, sort_by and sort_order.
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL (or) ZohoCRM.modules.Deals.READ
Sample Response:


Appointments' Rescheduled History

In the Appointments module, a datetime field named Rescheduled_To acts as a default field tracker. The history details of this particular field are stored in a separate module with the API Name Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s. It is also accessible as a related list under the Appointments module with the same module API name as the related lists API name. Only the recent 20 rescheduled data of an appointment will be available in this tracker module.  

This module has six default fields - Appointment_Name, Rescheduled_Time, Rescheduled_By, Rescheduled_From, Rescheduled_To, Reschedule_Note and Reschedule_Reason. You cannot remove the existing fields or add new fields to this module. The lookup field with display label Appointment Name and API name Appointment_Name points to the corresponding appointment to which the history data belongs. 

Apart from fetching the rescheduled history data, Zoho CRM also helps you to CREATE, UPDATE and DELETE the history records for this field. This helps you to synchronise the rescheduled history when importing the Appointments records from a third party application. 

Let us look into a few scenarios in which the use of each of the Appointments Rescheduled History CRUD operations.  

Scenario 1  

As a Manager, you might want to retrieve all the rescheduled appointment history data to determine the most common reasons for rescheduling. 

Use the GET Appointments Rescheduled History API with the following details. 

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s (or)
{api-domain}/crm/{version}/Appointments__s/{appointment_id}/Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s
Request Method: GET
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.appointments_rescheduled_history.READ
Possible Parameters: fields, page, per_page, sort_by and sort_order
Sample Response:



The '204 - No Content' response will be thrown if the reschedule count of the specific appointment is 1. This response will not include the current appointment time, which is the last rescheduling of the appointment. You can retrieve it only using the GET Appointments API.  

Scenario 2

For instance, you are using a third party application for booking appointments and have decided to move to ZOHO CRM. But, losing the rescheduled history data for "not completed" appointments can be a major concern. In such a scenario, you can seamlessly transfer and incorporate the rescheduled data for these appointments with the help of Add Appointments Rescheduled History API

In this context, we are just adding new records of rescheduled data to the tracking module(Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s), which records the details of the Rescheduled_To field. Given that Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s is a module, it also allows us to execute UPDATE and DELETE operations, as elaborated in the forthcoming scenarios.

Following are the details of the API:

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s
Request Method: POST
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.appointments_rescheduled_history.CREATE
Sample Request Body:

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Rescheduled_From": "2023-09-19T15:00:00+05:30",
            "Rescheduled_To": "2023-09-22T10:30:00+05:30",
            "Appointment_Name": {
                "name": "AC Service - Leota Dilliard (Sample)",
                "id": "5545974000004330038"
            },
            "Rescheduled_Time": "2023-09-19T15:30:00+05:30",
            "Rescheduled_By": {
                "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                "id": "5545974000000393001"
            },
            "Reschedule_Note": "Customer unavailable",
            "Reschedule_Reason": "By Customer"
        }
    ]
}

You can add up to 100 records in a single API call, with a limit of 20 rescheduled history records allowed for a single appointment.

Scenario 3

To ensure accuracy and completeness, you may want to update the reason and other details for rescheduling the appointment. At times you would even want to insert additional information to the existing history data. In situations like these, use the Update Appointments Rescheduled History API

Following are the particulars about this API,

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s (or) {api-domain}/crm/v5/Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s/{record_id}
Request Method: PUT
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.appointments_rescheduled_history.UPDATE
Sample Request Body:

{
    "data": [
        {
            "id": "5545974000004365002", 
            "Reschedule_Note": "Team unavailable",
            "Reschedule_Reason": "By Team"
        }
    ]
}

You can update all the POST request JSON keys except the Appointment_Name key. Using this API, you can update a maximum of 100 rescheduled history records per API call. 

Scenario 4

As a Manager, you may want to delete certain history entries that contain sensitive or outdated information to comply with the data privacy regulations. You can use the Delete Appointments Rescheduled History API to remove sensitive/outdated and even duplicate entries. 

Following are the details of this API: 

Request URL: {api-domain}/crm/{version}/Appointments_Rescheduled_History__s/{record_id}
Request Method: DELETE
Scope: ZohoCRM.modules.appointments_rescheduled_history.DELETE
Sample Response:



You can delete only one rescheduled history record per API call. The rescheduled history records of an appointment in the recycle bin will still be available in the related list. To remove them, you have to delete the appointment from the recycle bin. 

We trust you found this post both beneficial and informative!

Your thoughts and perspectives matter to us. If there is a topic you would like us to delve into or if you have any questions, please feel free to drop a comment below or send us an email at support@zohocrm.com.

Stay tuned until we circle back to you on next Friday! 

Cheers!



Previous Post: Kaizen #107 - Functions and Invoke URLs

Head over here to refer to our Kaizen collection on Zoho CRM developer tools. 



        • Recent Topics

        • Cannot connect to 365 business calendar and Teams, says personal but it is not.

          hi I have a number of users connected to their 365 business accounts. Adding a new user and it thinks hes got 365 personal edition. He does not.... Anyone know what's going on. Trying for days now. Bookings go into his MS calendar but as its thinks its
        • Limited review (/questions) for Bookings 2.0

          Hi all, I'm writing this review of Bookings 2.0 for two reasons: 1) it may be of interest to others, and 2) I'd like to be corrected if I'm wrong on any points. It's a very limited review, i.e. the things that have stood out as relevant, and particularly
        • Zoho Bookings - Reserve with Google

          Does Zoho Bookings plan to to integrate with Reserve with Google?
        • Tip #3: How to change your booking page language

          Displaying your booking page in your target audience's language can greatly increase customer satisfaction. By speaking their language, you will help customers feel more comfortable scheduling with you and create a stronger connection with them. Let's
        • Bigin Android app update: Alerts while creating tasks outside of working days, conflicting events and calls.

          Hello everyone! In the most recent version of the Bigin Android app, we have brought in support to display an alert if task is being scheduled outside of the working days. Also, when scheduling an event or call in the Activities module, a conflict alert
        • Bigin update: Link email messages to pipeline records.

          Hello everyone! In the latest version of the Bigin iOS(v1.11.9) and macOS(1.8.9) app, we have brought in support for an option to link email to pipeline records. This helps you to view emails specific to a deal, especially when a contact is associated
        • Bigin Android app update: Custom buttons and widgets

          Hello everyone! We are excited to introduce custom buttons and widgets on the Bigin Android app. Widgets: A widget is a customizable UI component in Bigin that improves efficiency and user experience. It lets businesses embed components, streamline interactions,
        • Biometric Access Support on Zoho Vault Desktop App

          Is there any plans to add biometric authentication (fingerprint, face recognition) for Vault desktop apps (Windows/macOS) to enhance security and ease of access. I would love to hear other members view on this
        • Zoho Sheet for Desktop

          Does Zoho plans to develop a Desktop version of Sheet that installs on the computer like was done with Writer?
        • Zoho Sheet - Desktop App or Offline

          Since Zoho Docs is now available as a desktop app and offline, when is a realistic ETA for Sheet to have the same functionality?I am surprised this was not laucned at the same time as Docs.
        • Collective-booking event not added to all staff calendars

          We assign two staff to certain events. When the client books this event, it adds it to one staff calendar (the 'organiser') but not the other. How can I ensure all staff assigned to a collective booking get the event in their calendar? (A side note: it
        • Project Management Bulletin: October, 2025

          Every need leads to innovation. Project Management tools were developed out of sheer necessity to drive large projects. With wide usage, the specifications grew precise, and so did the refinement. Over years we’ve crafted one of the best project management
        • Email Recall Feature In Zoho Mail Which Should Also Work For Outside Organisation Members

          Add a feature to recall or undo sending an email within a configurable short time window (e.g., 30 seconds to 2 minutes) after hitting send, similar to Gmail’s undo send. Currently the sent email can not be recall If the recipient is not from within your
        • Zoho Sheets saying locked when not locked

          Zoho Sheets won't let me add more rows to sheet because it's saying the sheet is locked, but the sheet is not locked. I tried using a different browser but I still have the same issue.
        • Identifying and Merging Accounts with Similar (Non-Exact) Names

          Hello everyone, I’m aware of the built-in deduplication feature in Zoho CRM that allows merging records with exactly matching values for selected fields. However, I’m running into a situation where our migrated data contains multiple variations of the
        • Option for super admin to recover the deleted chats in Zoho Cliq

          Currently, in Zoho Cliq, if a user accidentally deletes their chats, there is no option for the Super Admin to recover or view those deleted messages. I believe it would be helpful if Super Admins had a recovery option, perhaps within a certain time frame,
        • Zoho CRM iOS app updates: the Homepage, Zoho Survey integration, and support for multiple file uploads in subform

          Hello everyone! The Zoho CRM mobile app continues to evolve to bring you a smoother and more powerful CRM-on-the-go experience. We're excited to share some important updates now available in the iOS app. Here's what's new: Homepage support Zoho Survey
        • I am trying to integrate my module in sandbox environment to add data via API

          I went through the documents and tried to setup the API for adding the module via the api but the problem is the token setup is done on "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token" domain and the bulk write is done on "https://content.zohoapis.com/crm/v8/upload"
        • Is anyone else having trouble saving a custom image in their email signature, or is it just me?

          When I try to save the image I get an error that says "Operation Failed" I opened a support ticket two weeks ago and received a response that it would be debugged, but it still isn’t working
        • Setting up primary mobile number.

          Hi Sir Earlier I joined IIFL team and got an organizational email of zoho services. Later i quit and now my account is deactivated with IIFL but i am unable to link my mobile number to my own email id with zoho.
        • Add Custom Reports To Dashboard or Home Tab

          Hi there, I think it would be great to be able to add our custom reports to the Home Tab or Dashboards. Thanks! Chad
        • 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
        • In arattai received message can't be deleted

          The issue has been noticed in following: arattai app (Android) arattai app (Window) arattai web While the message posted by me may be deleted, the ones received from others can't be. The item <Delete> change to <Report> when the message is a received
        • Zoho sheet for desktop

          Hi is zoho sheets available for desktop version for windows
        • Tables for Europe Datacenter customers?

          It's been over a year now for the launch of Zoho Tables - and still not available für EU DC customers. When will it be available?
        • Guided Conversations - Ticket Creation

          Hi there, Using Guided Conversations to Take Customer Data and apply it into a Support Ticket for internal use, Is there a way to take multiple Textual Variables Inputs (A series of questions), and have the answers all appear in the Description of the
        • How to send certain invoices for Approval based on condition?

          To streamline operations, I need the invoices to go for approval when certain conditions are met. For example, if my staff gives a discount of x amount, it must go for approval. If there is no discount, then the invoice will be approved automatically.
        • Unable to continue payment

          Hi, I want to make a payment for my email subscription, but I cannot proceed with the payment because my NITKU is invalid. In Indonesia, the NITKU consists of 22 digits, but Zoho only provides 20 digits, causing my NITKU to be invalid. Please help me
        • 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
        • Massive spam pretending to come from our address – is this a Zoho security issue?

          Hi, We’ve been receiving more and more suspicious emails lately — many of them clearly look like scams. But yesterday, we got an email that appeared to be sent from our own address, which was very concerning. We're starting to wonder if this might be
        • LINE Auto Message Connect to Zoho

          When I integrated LINE into the CRM, I was prompted to disable “Chat,” “Auto Response,” and “Greeting Messages,” and to enable the webhook. However, since I have already set up some auto-reply features in LINE, including Rich Messages and greeting automation,
        • System flaws and lack of response from Zoho

          I have had to go on here as no-one is replying to my emails regarding my problem (been 10 days and no email reply) and your chat facility online through your Zoho Books software opens and closes immediately, so not functioning properly. I actually called
        • Cant recieve mails

          I’m having an issue with my external IMAP account not fetching any emails into Zoho Mail, even though the connection test says “Success”. I can send, if someone sends an email to me. my original directory (home.pl host) recieves it in their portal but
        • Zoho Sheet Autofit Data

          While using Autofit Data function in Zoho Sheets with Devnagri Maratji or Hindi Fonts, a word or a number, it keeps couple of characters outside the right side border.
        • Enhancements to finance suite integrations

          Update: Based on your feedback, we’ve updated the capabilities for integration users. In addition to the Estimates module, they can now create, view, and edit records in all the finance modules including Sales Order, Invoices, Purchase Order. We're also
        • Edit 'my' Notes only

          The permissions around Notes should be more granular, and allow to user to be able to edit the notes he created only. The edit Notes permission is useful as it allows the user to correct any mistakes or add information as needed. However, with this same
        • How do I filter contacts by account parameters?

          Need to filter a contact view according to account parameter, eg account type. Without this filter users are overwhelmed with irrelevant contacts. Workaround is to create a custom 'Contact Type' field but this unbearable duplicity as the information already
        • Job Alerts for Candidates

          hi All, I have 2 questions relating to sharing job details with candidates. 1. is there a way to notify candidates that meet certain criteria of current jobs available? eg. I run a candidate search, and identify 50 candidates that might be suitable. Can
        • Add multiple users to a task

          When I´m assigning a task it is almost always related to more than one person. Practical situation: When a client request some improvement the related department opens the task with the situation and people related to it as the client itself, the salesman
        • Enhancing Task Accuracy: Automatically notify the owners upon Task duplication.

          Hello Everyone, A Custom function is a user-written set of code to achieve a specific requirement. Set the required conditions needed as when to trigger using the Workflow rules (be it Tasks / Project) and associate the custom function to it. The requirement
        • Next Page