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

        • Admin Visibility and Control Over Group Chats in Zoho Cliq

          Hello Zoho Cliq Team, We hope you're doing well. While we appreciate the current capabilities in Zoho Cliq — including the ability to restrict who can create group chats and configure user permissions — we would like to request several enhancements to

        • Update Regarding Zoho Finance Applications' Domains For API Users

          Hi users, Until now, both the Zoho Finance apps and their APIs shared a common domain. We've recently introduced separate domains for APIs. You can now start using the new domains for API calls. The old domains will not work for API users starting April

        • Ability for Agents to Initiate Voice Calls With Site Visitors Without Active Chat Session

          Dear Zoho SalesIQ Team, Greetings, We would like to request a feature enhancement related to the voice call functionality in Zoho SalesIQ. Current Limitation: At the moment, voice calls can only be initiated by agents after a chat session has been started

        • Add new Card

          How do you add a new credit card to a contact with Zoho API as can be done on web.  I am not able to find way to do this with Books API, CRM API or Subscriptions API.  This is an issue for our company as we do migration from a different system.  I can add card to a subscription through Subscriptions API, but some of our customers may not have a subscription, but only invoices set up in Zoho Books.  Is there any way in Zoho API to add new credit card to contact/customer?

        • Benchmark for Using Mail Merge in Service Order Scopes

          Hello, I was wondering if Zoho CRM has a benchmark or best practices for utilizing Mail Merge in service order scopes. Specifically, I'm looking for guidance on how to effectively integrate this feature for creating and managing service orders, especially

        • This user is not allowed to add in Zoho. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details

          Hello, Just signed up to ZOHO on a friend's recommendation. Got the TXT part (verified my domain), but whenever I try to add ANY user, I get the error: This user is not allowed to add in Zoho. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details I have emailed as well and writing here as well because when I searched, I saw many people faced the same issue and instead of email, they got a faster response here. My domain is: raisingreaderspk . com Hope this can be resolved.  Thank you

        • Why don't we have better integration with Mercado Pago or Pagseguro?

          Currently, the integration between Zoho Commerce and Mercado Pago for Brazil is very poor... Since it is old, it does not include the main payment method in Brazil today, which is PIX. Is there a date for this to finally be launched? There are numerous

        • two columns layout

          it's actually frustrating to not have this feature, I actually had to convince my employer to subscribe to zoho forms and integrate it with zoho crm, but because of this feature not beeing provided, our forms looks unnecessarly long and hideous. 

        • Sync Zoho Desk Help Center Category Icons to SalesIQ Articles

          Dear Zoho SalesIQ Team, Greetings, We are using the integration between Zoho SalesIQ and Zoho Desk to sync articles from our Zoho Desk Knowledge Base into SalesIQ. While this integration works well for syncing article content, we’ve noticed a visual inconsistency:

        • Company Name not pre-populating when using Quick Create: Contact

          Hi Devs, This has bugged me for a long time, and it's a simple UX design change to solve it. Problem: Users creating Contacts not linked to Companies/Accounts Cause: When a user creates an Opportunity where after browsing the Contacts they realise they

        • Spell Checker in Zoho desk

          Is there a way to set always check spelling before sending? Outlook does this and it is a handy tool to avoid typos

        • Enable Sync of SalesIQ Article Interactions to Zoho Analytics for Unified Knowledge Base Reporting

          Dear Zoho SalesIQ and Zoho Analytics Teams, Greetings, We’d like to formally request an enhancement to enable SalesIQ article interaction data to be synced with Zoho Analytics, so that we can obtain a unified view of our knowledge base performance metrics

        • How to enter membership share, sold or reimburse

          Hello, First, I am just begining taking care of the accounting of my organisation, and new also to Books. In Books, our accounting plan has an account #3900 - Share capital, that cumulates the share our member pay. How do I write a sale or a reimbursement

        • Ability for me to take the issued PDF certification on successful completion of a course then push to zoho sign in order that it is digitally certified

          How can I take the issued PDF certification on successful completion of a Zoho Learn course then trigger a workflow to push to Zoho Sign in order that it is digitally certified, hosted on the blockchain and then push to Zoho Workdrive to be hosted off

        • Candidates rejection process

          Is there a way to get ZOHORecruit to automatically send out an email to candidates that are rejected?

        • Multi file upload

          Hi, I just wonder if one could upload multiple files in one shot, say between one and three files, without adding multiple File Upload fields? Thanks, Alalbany

        • Passing the image/file uploaded in form to openai api

          I'm trying to use the OpenAI's new vision feature where we can send image through Api. What I want is the user to upload an image in the form and send this image to OpenAI. But I can't access this image properly in deluge script. There are also some constraints

        • Calendar Year View?

          Is there a way I can view the calendar in year view? Maybe create a page with a view like this?

        • ABN Amro

          Hi, We are trying to add Abn AMRO as a bank in Zoho Books. However we get the following error: Type of Error: User Action Required Description: The request cannot be completed because the site is no longer supported for data updates. Possible workaround: Please deactivate or remove the account. Suggested Action: The site will no longer be supported by Zoho Books and should be removed. Does that mean it's no longer supported? Thanks!

        • Add bank transfers via a webhook or API

          Hello ZOHO Books Community, is there anyway to add single transactions to bank accounts via an API or webhook? I found in docs to upload a bank statement. But i want to add a transaction from an external (unsupported bank) in the moment there is a transaction

        • Books does not allow 19% tax rate for invoice - Please help!

          Hi there, I need to do an import of invoices into Zoho Books. The process worked smoothly before we migrated to the Books Germany Edition in December 2024. It does import 13 out of 14 invoices from my csv-file. For the one it does not import I get the

        • When will Zoho Books offer native NFS-e issuing, now with Brazil's National Standard?

          Hello Zoho Team and Community, I'd like to follow up on my previous suggestion regarding the critical need for Zoho Books to natively issue Brazilian Service Invoices (NFS-e). My original idea was that this could be achieved by extending the same integration

        • API 500 Error

          Hello amazing ZOHO Projects Community, I get this message. How can we solve this? { "error": { "status_code": "500", "method": "GET", "instance": "/api/v3/portal/2010147XXXX/projects/2679160000003XXXX/timesheet", "title": "INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR", "error_type":

        • Admin Access to Subscriber Information for System/Default Bots in Zoho Cliq

          Dear Zoho Cliq Team, Greetings, We would like to request an enhancement to Zoho Cliq's bot management capabilities. Specifically, we are asking for the ability for organization administrators to view the list of subscribers for system/default bots, such

        • zoho webmail keeps opening an empty tab when on log in/vist webmail

          as the the title says, whenever i log in or visit the page in a new tab, zoho webmail with open a new tab, but it errors out (see attachment). how do you stop it from doing this?

        • FSM work order creation on books quote approval

          I have followed https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/fsm/custom-integrations/zoho-books/articles/perform-actions-in-zoho-fsm-on-estimate-approval-in-zoho-books#Step_1_Create_a_connection_for_Zoho_FSM_in_Zoho_Books in order to create a work order in FSM

        • Tip of the week #46 - Stay more organized by moving threads between inboxes

          Have you ever come across a thread in your inbox that should have been handled by a different team or inbox? Or maybe you've wrapped up your part of the conversation, but another team needs to step in to finish the task or assist further? Keeping such

        • Text summarization and field detection with Zia, Zoho's AI assistant

          Have lengthy documents that take forever to read and sign? Tired of placing fields into hundreds of pages? Here's a single solution to solve both challenges: Zia, Zoho's AI assistant. With Zia's integration with OpenAI, you can summarize long documents

        • Sending Links to Functions in CRM

          Maybe I'm crazy, but currently there's no way to send someone a link to a custom function. The only link you can get is to the myfunctions page, which is very frustrating. This should work like workflow rules where when you click on one, it should have

        • zohoからの自動メールについて

          zohoからの自動メールにおいてちょっと困ったことが起こっており、サポートにも相談中なのですが ほかの方にも同現象が発生していないか相談したい。 ▼事象 zohoからの自動メールにおいて時折「このメールが送信者からのものであると確認できないため、このメールに安全に返信できない可能性があります」とメーラーから警告が出る。 ▼状況 発信元：設定した独自ドメイン SPF/DKIM設定：済 利用メーラー：outlook 発生頻度：稀（連続するときもあるが、パタッとでなくなる時もある） サポートへの連絡：ただいま継続相談中

        • Using Deluge scripting to create/update data in TabularSections

          I am having following Form structure with some other usual fields, and a tabular section which allows putting question, self rating and lead rating. (pic below) I am trying to create a record of this form via Deluge, but can't figure out way to populate

        • Zoho Recruit: How to link lookup fields using record ID instead of name during import?

          Hi, I'm having an issue with lookup fields in Zoho Recruit during data import. When I import records into a module that includes a lookup field (e.g., to an Interview record), Zoho Recruit matches the lookup by the display name (string) instead of the

        • Add a "Success" Route to the "Forward to Operator" Card in Zobot

          Hello Zoho SalesIQ Team, We hope you're doing well. We would like to request an enhancement to the "Forward to Operator" card in Zobot. Current Limitation: At present, the "Forward to Operator" card provides the following routes: Operator Not Available

        • Power of Automation :: Auto-update Project status based on Tasklist completion

          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:

        • Multi Module Lookup Fields

          🎯 Use Case: In many custom implementations, especially those involving financial tracking, service operations, or project-based work, a single record (e.g. an invoice or bill) often relates to one of several different modules — but only one at a time.

        • How to Download a File from Zoho WorkDrive Using a Public Link

          How to Download a File from Zoho WorkDrive Using a Public Link If you're working with Zoho WorkDrive and want to download a file using a public link, here's a simple method to do so using API or a basic script. This approach helps developers or teams

        • Facturation électronique 2026 - obligation dès le 1er septembre 2026

          Bonjour, Je me permets de réagir à divers posts publiés ici et là concernant le projet de E-Invoicing, dans le cadre de la facturation électronique prévue très prochainement. Dans le cadre du passage à la facturation électronique pour les entreprises,

        • Introducing AI Modeler—a no-code approach to adding AI to your business applications

          Forward-thinking businesses today are embracing AI to make life easier for themselves, their employees, and their customers. But if you haven't started yet, you might be concerned that your business will be left behind. Or maybe you're worried because

        • Tip #20 - Three things you probably didn't know you can do with picklists

          Hello Zoho Sheet users! We’re back with another quick tip to help you make your spreadsheets smarter. Picklists are a great tool to maintain consistency in your spreadsheet. Manually entering data is time-consuming and often leaves typos and irregular

        • Zoho People how do i view the history of leave taken

          Hi All What is the report that i am unable to view the history of the leave taken for an individual and team?

        • Next Page