Kaizen #177: Duplicate Check Preferences API vs. Upsert API

Kaizen #177: Duplicate Check Preferences API vs. Upsert API

Hello all!!!

Welcome back to another week of Kaizen. Last week, we discussed Optimizing the Use of Record ID Variables in Zoho CRM Queries.

This week, we will explore two important APIs for managing duplicate records in Zoho CRM - Duplicate Check Preferences API and Upsert Records API. While both of these APIs help manage duplicate records, they serve different purposes and are to be used in different scenarios. 




This post covers:
  • What is the Duplicate Check Preferences API?
    • Use Case
    • Duplicate Check Configurations
    • Updating Duplicate Check Configuration
    • How Duplicate Check Preferences Work During Record Creation/Update?
  • What is the Upsert API?
    • Use Case
  • Differences between Duplicate Check Preferences API and Upsert API

What is the Duplicate Check Preferences API

The Duplicate Check Preferences API is a configuration API that allows you to set up criteria using unique fields to manage duplicates across Leads module including Converted Leads and Contacts
in Zoho CRM. Based on the given criteria, the system will restrict the creation or update of duplicate records. For example, if the Phone field is marked as unique and set for duplicate checks, the system will make sure that no two records have the same phone number during records creation or update.

With the Duplicate Check Preferences API, you can define criteria to find duplicates, such as matching email addresses, phone numbers, or custom fields. During record creation or update, Zoho CRM checks the configured criteria against converted leads or contacts. If a match is found, it triggers a "DUPLICATE_DATA" error and blocks duplicates based on your configuration.

By default, the Insert Records API and Update Records API automatically check for this configuration. If a record matches the defined duplicate criteria, the system prevents its creation or update.

Use case

Zylker, a sales team managing customer contacts in Zoho CRM, often imports leads from various sources like website forms, events, and campaigns. However, the team noticed that many duplicate contacts are being created because the same phone number is associated with some of the contacts. This creates confusion and results in redundant work in their sales process.
By using the Duplicate Check Preferences API, Zylker can prevent the anymore duplicate contacts based on phone numbers (phone is used for an example).

Duplicate Check Configurations

In Zoho CRM, you can configure duplicate check preferences via API in two ways. 

i. Configuration in Leads module
The system checks for duplicates on all the Leads using the specified unique fields. By selecting this option, the duplicates will be checked on all the Converted Leads (custom view) as well. This configuration is applicable across all the layouts.
The following is the configuration for duplicate check in the Leads module via API. 

Request Method: POST

Note:
  • The "module" parameter is mandatory, and its supported value is Leads. 
  • The above URL applies to both Leads and Contacts module configurations.
  •  You must mark at least one field as mandatory. So, the system can check for duplicates based on the value in the unique field within the Leads module when creating a record.
Input JSON

{
    "duplicate_check_preference": {
        "type": "converted_records", //Converted Leads custom view in Leads module
    }
}


Response

{
    "duplicate_check_preference": {
        "code": "SUCCESS",
        "details": {},
        "message": "Duplicate check enabled for converted_records successfully.",
        "status": "success"
    }
}




ii. Configuration in Contacts module

By selecting this option, the system will check for duplicates in the Contacts module using mapped fields.

Input JSON

{
    "duplicate_check_preference": {
        "type": "mapped_module_records",
        "type_configurations": [
            {
                "field_mappings": [
                    {
                        "current_field": {
                            "api_name": "Email",
                            "id": "5725767000000002601"
                        },
                        "mapped_field": {
                            "api_name": "Email",
                            "id": "5725767000000002503"
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "mapped_module": {
                    "api_name": "Contacts",
                    "id": "5725767000000002179"
                }
            }
        ]
    }
}


The "Phone" field from both the Leads and Contacts modules is mapped to identify duplicate records.

How Duplicate Check Preferences Work During Record Creation/Update

Consider Zylker has configured the Contacts module ("type":"mapped_module_records") to check duplicate contacts.
For example, a sales representative at Zylker attempts to add a contact from the Cold Call lead source. However, the same contact already exists in the Contacts module, either from the same or a different lead source.
Since the Contacts module is configured for duplicate check preferences, the system will check for duplicates in the Contacts module using mapped fields. During the record insertion action, the system verifies the Contacts module for any matching records based on these unique identifiers. Based on the result, it either creates the record or throws an error.

Use the Insert Records API to create records in a module.

Request Method: POST

Input JSON

{
    "data": [
        {
            "Company": "Villa Margarita",
            "Last_Name": "Dolan",
            "First_Name": "Brian",
            "Email": "brian@villa.com",
            "Phone": "12345",
            "State": "Texas"
        }
    ]
}


Response


 {

    "data": [

        {

            "code": "DUPLICATE_DATA",

            "details": {

                "api_name": "Email",

                "duplicate_record": {

                    "Owner": {

                        "name": "Patricia Boyle",

                        "id": "5725767000000411001",

                        "zuid": "808233918"

                    },

                    "module": {

                        "api_name": "Contacts",

                        "id": "5725767000000002179"

                    },

                    "id": "5725767000000774010" //The record that already exists in the Contacts module.

                },

                "json_path": "$.data[0].Email",

                "more_records": false

            },

            "message": "duplicate data",

            "status": "error"

        }

    ]

}


Duplicates are also checked during record updates. If a record is updated with a value that already exists in a unique field, the system indicates it as a duplicate and returns a "DUPLICATE_DATA" error.

Update Duplicate Check Configuration

To update the previously enabled Duplicate Check option configured in your account, use the Update Duplicate Check Option API.


The Contacts ("type": "mapped_module_records") configuration is used in the below sample input. 


{
    "duplicate_check_preference": {
        "type": "mapped_module_records",
        "type_configurations": [
            {
                "field_mappings": [
                    {
                        "mapped_field": {
                            "api_name": "Phone", //The previously configured Email field as a unique identifier in Contacts has now been replaced with the Phone field.
                            "name": "Contacts",
                            "id": "5725767000000411001"
                        },
                        "current_field": {
                            "api_name": "Phone",
                            "name": "Leads", //The previously configured Email field as a unique identifier in Leads has now been replaced with the Phone field.
                            "id": "5725767000005381030"
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "mapped_module": {
                    "api_name": "Contacts",
                    "name": "Contacts",
                    "id": "5725767000000002179"
                }
            }
        ]
    }
}

You can also retrieve and delete duplicate configuration.

What is the Upsert API?

The Upsert API is a combination of "update" and "insert". 


How it works?

  • You provide a unique identifier (e.g., email, phone number, or a custom field) to check for existing records.

  • If a record with the same identifier exists, it updates that record.

  • If no matching record is found, it creates a new one.

Flow diagram

Use Case 

Zylker, an e-commerce company, uses Zoho CRM to manage customer data. Customers sign up on Zylker’s online store, and their details are stored in the e-commerce platform like Shopify. Over time, customers may update their contact information, or new customers may sign up. To keep customer records in Zoho CRM accurate and avoid duplicates, Zylker uses the Upsert API to:
  • Update existing customer records details if the given unique identifier, such as email or phone number, matches an existing record in Zoho CRM.
  • Insert a new record if no match is found.  This way, Zylker ensures that new customers are added efficiently.

There are two types of duplicate check fields:

i. System-defined duplicate check fields.
ii. User-defined duplicate check fields.

i. System-defined duplicate check fields
The table below lists the system-defined unique fields. When you create a record using the Upsert API, the system checks these fields for duplicate entries. 

Leads

Email

Contacts

Email

Accounts

Account_Name

Deals

Deal_Name

Campaigns

Campaign_Name

Cases

Subject

Solutions

Solution_Title

Products

Product_Name

Vendors

Vendor_Name

PriceBooks

Price_Book_Name

Quotes

Subject

SalesOrders

Subject

PurchaseOrders

Subject

Invoices

Subject

Custom Module

Name


ii. User-defined duplicate check fields
You can set a normal field as a duplicate check field by enabling "Do not allow duplicate values." Note that you can only set fields with the following field-types as unique— Single Line, Email, Phone, Number, Long Integer, and URL.


Request Method: POST

Sample Input JSON

Here, "Email," a system-defined field, has been used as a duplicate check field.
{
    "data": [
        {
            "Email": "alice@mail.com",
            "First_Name": "Alice",
            "Last_Name": "Brown",
            "Phone": "+1-555-222-3333",
            "Order_Date": "2024-01-10",
            "Order_Value": "$175.00"
        },
        {
            "Email": "pat@mail.com",
            "First_Name": "pat",
            "Last_Name": "Davis",
            "Phone": "+1-555-666-7777",
            "Order_Date": "2024-01-15",
            "Order_Value": "$300.00"
        }
    ],
    "duplicate_check_fields": [
        "Email" //You can set the order in which the system checks for duplicate records by specifying the duplicate_check_field array in the input. 
    ]
}

Response


{
    "data": [
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "duplicate_field": null,
            "action": "insert",
            "details": {
                "Modified_Time": "2025-02-08T09:43:08-08:00",
                "Modified_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                },
                "Created_Time": "2025-02-08T09:43:08-08:00",
                "id": "5725767000005425036",
                "Created_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                }
            },
            "message": "record added",
            "status": "success"
        },
        {
            "code": "SUCCESS",
            "duplicate_field": "Email",
            "action": "update",
            "details": {
                "Modified_Time": "2025-02-08T09:43:08-08:00",
                "Modified_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                },
                "Created_Time": "2025-02-08T08:52:22-08:00",
                "id": "5725767000005425002",
                "Created_By": {
                    "name": "Patricia Boyle",
                    "id": "5725767000000411001"
                }
            },
            "message": "record updated",
            "status": "success"
        }
    ]
}


For more details on how the Upsert API works, refer to the Kaizen #56 - Upsert Records #API.

Differences between Duplicate Check Preferences API and Upsert API

 

                Duplicate Check API

                           Upsert API

Duplicate Check Preferences can be enabled only in the Leads module.

Supports all modules.

Throws a "DUPLICATE_DATA" error if a duplicate is detected.

Updates the existing record with new field values if a match is found for the unique fields; otherwise, inserts a new record.


Use the above Zoho CRM APIs which fit your use cases.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We trust that this post meets your needs and is helpful. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com 
Stay tuned for more insights in our upcoming Kaizen posts!

Info




        • Recent Topics

        • Canvas View - Print

          What is the best way to accomplish a print to PDF of the canvas view?

        • 5名限定 課題解決型ワークショップイベント Zoho ワークアウト開催のお知らせ(8/21)

          ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。Zoho ユーザーコミュニティチームの藤澤です。 8月開催のZoho ワークアウトについてお知らせします。 今回はZoomにてオンライン開催します。 ▷▷参加登録はこちら：https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eVOEnBsSQ2uvX4WN5Z5DeQ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Zoho ワークアウトとは？ Zoho ユーザー同士で交流しながら、サービスに関する疑問や不明点の解消を目的とした「Zoho

        • New in Zoho Forms: Inline OTP Verification

          Hello form builders, We are excited to announce the launch of Inline OTP Verification in Zoho Forms, a smarter way to ensure the authenticity of the contact details you collect. Until now, OTP Verification in Zoho Forms worked as a pre-access step: respondents

        • Zoho Mail : Associate emails with Meeting records and allow multiple emails to be assocaited at once

          Is there a workaround that would allow either of these? I want to associate emails with Meeting records. I also would like to be able to select multiple emails at once for association with a record.

        • Create task from email

          Is there a way on mobile to create a task from an email? I use this feature a lot and when traveling now I read email on mobile. By the time I get to my office I forget about them since I didn't add it to a task. Is this feature missing on moble?

        • Zoho Socials - Unable to view Channels and SmartQ

          Hi, The channel Facebook has been added by the admin, however, it is not visible on the User level (employee). Other channels are visible. Also, we have the premium account, and SmartQ is not working. Can anyone help? Regards, Priyanka

        • Eliminating Manual Consolidation: Automating Currency Field Sync from Task to Project

          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. Requirement:

        • We want to set the "Converted from Lead" value in Deals using a Workflow or via a Deluge script. How?

          For use in Zoho Analytics, we need the field "Converted from Lead" filled in our deal records. This field is empty everywhere, because we do not create deals directly when converting a lead to a contact. We want to do that using the API or a workflow

        • Sales Orders: Quoted_Items + items in another subform -> into Ordered_Items ?

          hello, When creating Sales Orders, is it posible to inherit/fill the Ordered_Items with all the items from Quoted_Items + all the items from a customized subform with similar fields? Since you can create a sales order in different ways (convert, new -

        • How to cancel the GSTR1 pushed to GSTN

          How to cancel the GSTR1 Pushed to GSTN, some rectifications to be done in HSN & SAC code

        • Zoho Books API — Invalid Operation Type / Scope does not exist

          Hello Team, We are unable to use the Zoho Books API from our registered application. We’ve already: Created a client in Zoho API Console using (Admin in Books) Generated the OAuth code and token successfully Used the correct scopes: ZohoBooks.fullaccess,ZohoOauth.userinfo.READ

        • Enhancements in Canvas

          Dear All, Greetings! Canvas lets you design the record details page to suit your brand or business preferences. We are glad to introduce the following enhancements to uplift your design experience. Reusable Components Style Presets Let's go! Reusable

        • Minimum order quantity

          Is there a way to enforce a minimum order quantity - ie has to have a minimum of 250?

        • 【Zoho CRM】ポータル機能のアップデート：UIとポータルの作成フローの変更

          ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、ポータル機能のアップデートをご紹介します。 目次 概要 ユーザーグループの作成フローの変更 ユーザーグループ詳細画面内のタブについて 「タブと権限」タブについて 「設定」タブについて 概要 UIとポータルの作成フローが変更されました。ポータルの新機能に先立ち、UIを一部変更しました。タブやオプションの配置を見直し、機能へよりアクセスしやすくなっています。 また、「ポータルユーザーの種類」は今後、「ユーザーグループ」と呼称され、ページ上のボタンも「ユーザーグループを作成する」に変更されます。

        • Tax on Imported goods charged by Shipping Company

          Hi Folks, I imported goods from outside Canada, for better understanding I will give an example data. imported goods value: 2000$ The shipping company sent me an invoice containing the following information: Custom duty on imported goods: 400$ Administration

        • Prefilled Date fields auto-changed and then locked when using “Edit as new”

          If a document out for signature has date fields (not SignedDate fields) that were pre-filled before sending, and then you use “Edit as new” to create a new version of the same document, the value of those date fields gets automatically changed to today

        • Zoho Webinar via Social Media

          Hello, is it possible to stream a Zoho Webinar via Social Media like Linkedin or Facebook?

        • Add Hebrew & RTL Support to Feedback Widget

          Hello Zoho Desk Team, How are you? We are using Zoho Desk and would like to utilize the Feedback Widget. While Zoho Desk itself supports Hebrew and RTL, the Feedback Widget unfortunately does not. We kindly request that Hebrew and full RTL support be

        • OAUTH2 isn't working with Power Automate and N8N (Zoho Desk)

          Hello, I am trying to set up an OAuth2 connection to the Zoho Desk API, but the authentication flow fails immediately. I am experiencing this issue in two separate platforms: Microsoft Power Automate (using a Custom Connector) and n8n. Instead of being

        • Kit Items Breaking Automations - "Provide mapped components for all kit items"

          This has been brought up in other threads, but I believe this issue warrants its own topic. Whenever a sales document (Estimate, Sales Order, Invoice) is created or manipulated programmatically, trying to include a Kit as an Item throws this error: "Provide

        • Show item Cost value on Item screen

          The Item screen shows Accounting Stock and Physical Stock. It would be very helpful if value information could be displayed here as well, for instance Cost Price. Currently, to find the Cost Price (as used for inventory valuations) from inside the item

        • Mark shipment as delivered via api

          Hellloooo again Zoho guys !! More help required if you would be so kind, pleeeezz..... var options =        {         'method' : 'post',         'contentType' : 'application/json',         'muteHttpExceptions' : true       }; var myPackNo  = encodeURIComponent('###################');

        • Setting Alternative units for an item.

          Hello Team, How to create alternate units for an item. We are placing orders for stocks in boxes. One box contain 24 items. At the time of selling we have two categories of buyers wholesalers and retailers. So the sales will be in PCS and in boxes also.

        • Zoho Inventory search when adding items to SO/PO, etc.

          I do not see that Zoho Inventory searches within the item name for an item lookup. We have many products with variants. So when I search for a product, say a lighting system, and it comes in different sizes and colors, I can only get those products where

        • Item Group Attributes

          Hello, I would like to see more attributes under grouped items. We sell car parts, there are several suppliers for the same part but under different brands. We want to group them together but the attributes under groups are lacking. For example, the products

        • Remove HTML Format - Deluge

          Hello @all if you want to delete the HTML format from the text please follow the script. Data = "Text"; info Data..replaceAll("<(.|\n)*?>" , "").replaceAll("&nbsp;" , " "); Apart from this if you require anything please let me know Thanks & Regards Piyush

        • Using multiple languages in template

          I wanted to add the company name in the template in arabic. I found a way through the header and footer option, except when i print the quotation the arabic disappears both in the top and bottom of the page. I have attached pictures of the before and

        • ADDING 5% VAT TO PURCHASE ORDERS GENERATED ON ZOHO BOOKS UAE

          Please guide on how to add 5% VAT to Purchase Orders generated on ZOHO Books UAE edition.

        • Import from /csv file, some items fail with the error "Specify Tax Or Tax Exemption".

          Hello! I am trying to import a csv file of all of my expenses for a complete financial year. I get errors for some items with the error message "Specifiy Tax or Tax Exemption". These errors only occur on lines where I have "Postage" as the expense account.

        • About maximum number of requests per minute

          Hi, Our company has integrated Zoho inventory and we're using the shipping order creation and update functions and so on. Currently we're receiving "For security reasons you have been blocked for some time as you have exceeded the maximum number of requests

        • Approval - Report/Views

          Hi, On Zoho Desk - Is there a way to report on pending approvals, or a view or similar?

        • "Zoho CRM Integration" option is missing in Zoho Social Settings

          I am trying to integrate my Zoho Social account with my Zoho CRM account. I am on the Professional Trial plan and my user role is "Brand Admin". However, I cannot find the "Zoho CRM Integration" or "Lead Generation" option anywhere in my Zoho Social settings.

        • Error 553

          Não estou conseguindo enviar ou receber e-mail, sempre dando o erro 553, sendo que há mais de um mês o domínio está pago e liberado. Preciso de um suporte urgente

        • 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,

        • Create PDFs with Text so that we can copy from a generated PDF

          Currently, any information that a user enters into a field cannot be highlighted and copied from the PDF that Zoho Sign renders. For example, if someone were to provide a phone number in a Zoho Sign text field, you would not be able to copy the phone

        • How To Insert Data into Zoho Table using Api

          Hi Community, I have created a table inside zoho tables. How do I insert data into table using API. Please tell the exact endpoint and payload , I just have to insert data into table columns. Also tell how to find tableid, viewid, baseid etc. which are

        • How do I delete a folder in Marketing Automation?

          Folders are used across contact lists and segments, and email templates. How do I delete a folder once it's been created?

        • Portal Approval Process

          Hi Zoho team and fellow users, I am seeking a method to establish a multi-step approval process between a Zoho user and a portal user (Custom Portal) to review and approve requests through the Custom Portal. For instance, within this setup, one of the

        • Narrative 8: Intelligent in-app support that's instantly available anytime and anywhere

          Behind the scenes of a successful ticketing system - BTS Series Narrative 8: Intelligent in-app support that's instantly available anytime and anywhere The App Support Across Platforms (ASAP) add-on for Zoho Desk is an independent application that integrates

        • Navigation issue — unable to return to Customer page after opening Receipt from Transactions

          Steps to reproduce: Open a Customer record. Go to Transactions tab and open a Receipt by clicking its receipt number. After viewing the receipt, clicking browser Back or closing the receipt does not reliably return me to the original Customer record (I

        • Next Page