Kaizen #181 - Mandating Subform Data for Blueprint Transitions using Widget

Kaizen #181 - Mandating Subform Data for Blueprint Transitions using Widget



Hello Developers!

Welcome back to another week of Kaizen! 

This time, we are tackling a common challenge on how to enforce subform data from a different module before allowing a blueprint transition in Zoho CRM Deals module.

Many CRM workflows require checking and collecting related records' data across modules before advancing a deal, case, or order to the next stage. Zoho CRM Blueprint natively support subforms from Quotes, Sales Orders, and Invoices for the Deals module with the help of Associated Items in the transition settings. 

Let us explore how to mandate custom subforms' data from a different module for a blueprint transition.

Why Mandate Subform Data from a Different Module?

In Zoho CRM, subforms manage multiple data entries under a single parent record. However, certain blueprint transitions may depend on subform data from related modules, such as:  
  • A Deal's transition may depend on the document data stored in the associated Contact’s subform.
  • A Service Request requiring validation against a subform in the related Account before processing.  
  • A Loan Application requiring income proof from the Customer’s subform before approval.  
Since blueprint transition rules only validate fields within the same module, you can use a custom widget to check and update subform data across modules before proceeding.

Business Scenario: Insurance Deals Qualification

Consider Zylker, an insurance company, using Zoho CRM to manage customers and streamline processes. Their sales process follows this blueprint when a deal reaches the Qualification stage:
Insurance Sales Blueprint

Steps to Build a Blueprint Widget

Step 1 - Review Basics

Refer to our earlier Kaizen on CLI Installation, Creating a Widget Project, and Internal hosting of the same.

Step 2 - Develop your Widget

After setting up the widget project using CLI, implement the logic based on your business case.

Here’s the logic for the sample use case we are discussing:

Widget Execution During Transition
  • When the user clicks the Collect Requirements transition, the widget loads.
  • Using the PageLoad event listener, retrieve the current record's ID and module name.
  • Use the GET Records API via its JS SDK to fetch the Contact ID linked to the Deal. 
ZOHO.embeddedApp.on("PageLoad", function(data) {
      // Fetch the current page's record details
      const recordId = data.EntityId;
      const moduleName = data.Entity;
      ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({Entity: moduleName, RecordID: recordId})
        .then(function(response) {
          const record = response.data[0];
          console.log("Current Record Details:", record);
          // Fetch the associated contact ID
 contactId = record.Contact_Name.id;

Check and Collect Required Document Details
  • Using the Contact ID, run a COQL query using Connection JS SDK to check if each Document Category has at least one entry in the Document Details subform.
Notes
Notes
In invoke connection JS SDK, use param type 2 for the API request payload inside the parameter key and param type 1 for regular parameters.

Explore the Working with Connections help page and create a connection with the necessary scopes to invoke the COQL API.
  • If all four categories (Address Proof, ID Proof, Income Proof, Medical Report) have at least one entry, the widget allows the transition immediately.
  • If any category is missing, the widget prompts the user to enter the details in a table that mirrors the Document Details subform in the Contacts module.
// Make a query API call 
          const query = {
            "select_query": `select Document_Category,COUNT(id) from Document_Details where id is not null and Parent_Id='${contactId}' group by Document_Category`
          };
          ZOHO.CRM.CONNECTION.invoke("crm_oauth_connection", {
            method: "POST",
            url: "https://www.zohoapis.com/crm/v7/coql",
            parameters: query,
            param_type: 2,
            headers: {
              "Content-Type": "application/json"
            }
 }).then(function(response) {
     const data = response.details.statusMessage.data;
            if (response.details.statusMessage === "" || (data && data.length < 4)) {
              createSubformUI();
              document.getElementById('contentContainer').style.display = 'block';
            } else if (data && data.length === 4) {
              document.getElementById('messageContainer').style.display = 'block';
              // Enable the "Move to Next State" button if all files are already updated
              const nextStateButton = document.querySelector('.nextStateButton');
              nextStateButton.disabled = false;
              nextStateButton.style.backgroundColor = ''; 
            }
 })

Update the Contact's Subform
  • The user enters the document details and clicks the Save button in the widget. 
  • Since subform updates act like a PATCH request, any existing record IDs must be included in the update payload to retain them. To get the existing subform record IDs make a  GET Records API call via its JS SDK. 
async function getExisitingSubFormRecords(contactId) {
let exisitingRecords = [];
awaitasync function getExisitingSubFormRecords(contactId) {
let exisitingRecords = [];
await ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({ Entity: "Contacts", RecordID: contactId })
.then(function (response) {
const record = response.data[0];
console.log("Current Record Details:", record);

if (record.Document_Details)
{
record.Document_Details.forEach(function (document) {
exisitingRecords.push({id: document.id});
});
}
})
.catch(function (error) {
console.error("Error fetching records:", error);
});
return exisitingRecords;
} ZOHO.CRM.API.getRecord({ Entity: "Contacts", RecordID: contactId })
.then(function (response) {
const record = response.data[0];
console.log("Current Record Details:", record);
record.Document_Details.forEach(function (document) {
exisitingRecords.push({id: document.id});
});
})
.catch(function (error) {
console.error("Error fetching records:", error);
});
return exisitingRecords;
}
  • Clicking the Save button executes the following actions:
    -> Uploads the selected file to Zoho File System (ZFS) using the Upload File API through its JS SDK.
    -> Updates the Document Details subform in the associated Contact record by adding the file ID from the upload response and each row's entry using the Update Records API (via the Update Record JS SDK).
  • Once the subform is successfully updated, the widget allows the transition to next Blueprint state.
async function updateRecord(event) {
event.preventDefault();
// Collect user entries from each row
const rows = document.querySelectorAll('#documentsTable tbody tr');
const documentDetails = await Promise.all(Array.from(rows).map(async (row, index) => {
const documentCategory = row.querySelector('select[name="documentCategory"]').value;
const documentNumber = row.querySelector('input[name="documentNumber"]').value;
const documentName = row.querySelector('input[name="documentName"]').value;
const documentFile = row.querySelector('input[name="upload"]').files[0];
const fileId = await uploadFile(documentFile);
return {
Document_Category: documentCategory,
Document_Number: documentNumber,
Document_Name: documentName,
Upload: [
{
file_id: fileId
}
]
};
}));
// Get the existing subform records
const existingRecords = await getExisitingSubFormRecords(contactId);
// Merge the existing records with the new records
existingRecords.forEach(record => documentDetails.push(record));
// Prepare the payload for the update API call
const payload = {
id: contactId,
Document_Details: documentDetails
};
// Make the update API call
ZOHO.CRM.API.updateRecord({
Entity: "Contacts",
APIData: payload
}).then(function (updateResponse) {
console.log("Update response:", updateResponse);
const saveButton = document.querySelector('.saveButton');
saveButton.textContent = "Saved";
saveButton.disabled = false;
saveButton.style.backgroundColor = 'grey';
// Enable the "Move to Next State" button after saving
const nextStateButton = document.querySelector('.nextStateButton');
nextStateButton.disabled = false;
nextStateButton.style.backgroundColor = ''; 
})

Step 3 - Validate and Pack the Widget

  • Follow the steps given in the Widget help page to validate and package the widget.
  • Go to Zoho CRM > Setup > Developer Hub > Widgets and click Create New Widget.
  • Fill in the required details as shown in this image and ensure to select Blueprint as the widget type.
    Creating a Blueprint Widget

Step 4 - Associate the Widget with the Blueprint

  • Navigate to Setup > Process Management > Blueprint and open the Deals Blueprint created for this use case.
  • Click on the Collect Requirements transition.
    Associate Widget to a Blueprint Transition
  • In the During tab on the left pane, select Widgets and associate the newly created widget.
  • Publish the Blueprint to activate the changes.

Try it Out! 

A complete working code sample of this widget is attached at the bottom of this post for reference. 
 
Now, let us see how this Blueprint works from the Deals page:  
  1. All required document details are available: The widget validates the Contact’s subform and allows the transition.  



  2. Missing or incomplete document details: The widget prompts the user to enter the missing details, updates the Contact’s subform, and then enables the transition.  



This approach ensures that required subform data from another module is validated and captured before proceeding with a Blueprint transition.  

Would you like us to address any of your pain-points or have a topic to discuss? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us via support@zohocrm.com.

Until next time, Happy Coding! 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Reading

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Info
More enhancements in the COQL API are now live in Zoho CRM API Version 7. Check out the V7 Changelog for detailed information on these updates.



      • Sticky Posts

      • Kaizen #197: Frequently Asked Questions on GraphQL APIs

        🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.

      • Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint

        Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.

      • Celebrating 200 posts of Kaizen! Share your ideas for the milestone post

        Hello Developers, We launched the Kaizen series in 2019 to share helpful content to support your Zoho CRM development journey. Staying true to its spirit—Kaizen Series: Continuous Improvement for Developer Experience—we've shared everything from FAQs

      • Kaizen #193: Creating different fields in Zoho CRM through API

        🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.

      • Client Script | Update - Introducing Commands in Client Script!

        Have you ever wished you could trigger Client Script from contexts other than just the supported pages and events? Have you ever wanted to leverage the advantage of Client Script at your finger tip? Discover the power of Client Script - Commands! Commands

        • Recent Topics

        • Multi-line address lines

          How can I enter and migrate the following 123 state street Suite 2 Into a contact address. For Salesforce imports, a CR between the information works. The ZOHO migration tool just ignores it. Plus, I can't seem to even enter it on the standard entry screen.

        • Accessing Zoho Forms

          Hi all, We're having trouble giving me access to our company's Zoho Forms account. I can log in to a Forms account that I can see was set up a year ago, but can't see any shared forms. I can log into Zoho CRM and see our company information there without

        • Archiving Contacts

          How do I archive a list of contacts, or individual contacts?

        • Cost of good field

          Is there a way we can have cost of good sold as a field added to the back end of the invoicing procedure and available in reports?

        • How to add image to items list in Invoice or Estimate?

          Hello! I have just started using Zoho Invoice to create estimates and, possibly to switch from our current CRM/ERP Vendor to Zoho. I have a small company that is installing CCTV systems and Alarm systems. My question is, can I add images of my "items" to item list in Zoho Invoice and Estimates and their description? I would like to show my clients the image of items in our estimates so they can decide if they like these items. And I tell you, often they choose more expensive products just because

        • Issue with the Permission to Zoho Form

          I am getting an error by signing in to zoho form as it is stated that i don't have permission to access this is admin account

        • CRM templates

          Hello everyone, In my company we use Zoho campaigns where we set up all newsletters and we use Zoho CRM for transactional emails. I have created some templates in Zoho campaigns but from my understanding i cannot use those in Zoho CRM, right?

        • Meet Canvas' Grid component: Your easiest way to build responsive record templates

          Visual design can be exciting—until you're knee-deep in the details. Whether it's aligning text boxes to prevent overlaps, fixing negative space, or simply making sure the right data stands out, just ironing out inconsistencies takes a lot of moving parts.

        • Addin Support in Zoho Sheet

          Is there any addin support available in zoho sheet as like google marketplace to enhance productivity by connecting with other apps, providing AI data analysis, streamlining business processes, and more?

        • Where to integrate Price Book and Product List Price

          Hello, We sync zoho crm all modules with all data to zoho analytics. In zoho crm, we have "Price Books" and "Products" modules, where each product is assigned to a few price books with different list prices. From zoho crm, I am able to export a dataset

        • Pending Sales Order Reports

          Pending sale order report is available for any single customer, Individual report is available after 3-4 clicks but consolidated list is needed to know the status each item. please help me.

        • Zoho Mail SMTP IP addresses

          We are using Zoho Mail and needs to whitelist IP for some redirections from your service to another e-mails. You can provide IP address list for Zohomail SMTP servers?

        • Migrate Your Notes from OneNote to Zoho Notebook Today

          Greetings Notebook Users, We’re excited to introduce a powerful new feature that lets you migrate your notes from Microsoft OneNote to Zoho Notebook—making your transition faster and more seamless than ever. ✨ What’s New One-click migration: Easily import

        • Deluge sendmail in Zoho Desk schedule can't send email from a verified email address

          I am trying to add a scheduled action with ZDesk using a Deluge function that sends a weekly email to specific ticket client contacts I've already verified the email address for use in ZDesk, but sendmail won't allow it in its "from:" clause. I've attached

        • Zoho Campaigns - Why do contacts have owners?

          When searching for contacts in Zoho Campaigns I am sometimes caught out when I don't select the filter option "Inactive users". So it appears that I have some contacts missing, until I realise that I need to select that option. Campaigns Support have

        • One Contact with Multiple Accounts with Portal enabled

          I have a contact that manages different accounts, so he needs to see the invoices of all the companies he manage in Portal but I found it not possible.. any idea? I tried to set different customers with the same email contact with the portal enabled and

        • End Date in Zoho Bookings

          When I give my appointments a 30 minutes time I would expect the software not to even show the End Time.  But it actually makes the user pick an End Time.  Did I just miss a setting?  

        • Zoho Commerce

          Hi, I have zoho one and use Zoho Books. I am very interested in Zoho Commerce , especially with how all is integrated but have a question. I do not want my store to show prices for customers that are not log in. Is there a way to hide the prices if not

        • email forwarding not working

          Your email forwarding service does not work. I received the confirmation email and completed the confirmation, after that nothing and nothing since no matter what I have tried. Shame as everything else was smooth. I spose it's harder to run one of these web based internet mail services than you guys thought!!! can you fix the email forwarding asap PLEASE!

        • Google Ads Conversions Not Being Tracked in Zoho CRM

          We have 3 different conversions created in our Google Ads Account. Only one of the 3 conversion types is tracking in Zoho CRM. Our forms are Elementor Forms that are mapped into Zoho CRM. It apprears to me that all leads are showing up in Zoho CRM, but

        • Zoho Desk KB article embedded on another site.

          We embed KB articles from Zoho Desk on another site (our application). When opening the article in a new tab, there is no issue, but if we choose lightbox, we are getting an error "To protect your security, help.ourdomain.com will not allow Firefox to

        • Enable Locations for Expense

          Hi, please enable Locations (ex Branches) for Zoho Expense so that there is consistency between this app and Zoho Books. Thanks in advance.

        • Currency abbreviations

          Hello, Im stuck, and need help. I need the currency fields for example, opportunity value, or total revenue, to be abbreviated, lets say for 1,000 - 1K, 1,000,000 - 1M, and so on, how should I do this?

        • Losing description after merging tickets

          Hello, We merge tickets when they are about the same topic from the same client. It happens sometimes. We recently noticed that after the merger only the description from the master ticket is left in a thread. And the slave-ticket description is erased.

        • in the Zoho Creator i have File Upload field get the file on submission of the form Get the File and upload to Zoho Books

          in the Zoho Creator i have File Upload field get the file on submission of the form Get the File and upload to Zoho Books . how I get the file From zoho creator and upload to Zoho Books . using Api response = invokeUrl [ url: "https://www.zohoapis.com/creator/v2.1/data/hh/l130/report/All_Customer_Payments/"+input.ID

        • Generate a link for Zoho Sign we can copy and use in a separate email

          Please consider adding functionality that would all a user to copy a reminder link so that we can include it in a personalized email instead of sending a Zoho reminder. Or, allow us to customize the reminder email. Use Case: We have clients we need to

        • Syntax for URLs in HTML Snippets

          What are some best practices for inserting a URL in an HTML snippet? I've looked at Zoho Help articles on navigation-based and functional-based URLs, but I'm still unclear on how to incorporate them in an HTML snippet. For example, 1. How do I link to

        • Rate Limiting in Zoho Flow (OpenAI API)

          Hi Everyone, We are facing some issues when using Zoho Flow as we have a deluge script running which is making external calls to OpenAI endpoint. Sometimes the response takes more than 30 seconds meaning the script will timeout. We want to implement a

        • Placing a condition before converting the LEAD

          Hi,  I need some assistance with Lead conversion. I need to place certain conditions before allowing the user to convert the lead.  For example: up until the certain status's doesn't equal "green" don't allow to convert lead.  I tried creating this using

        • it is possible to open a widget via deluge script function

          I have one function that is workflow action I call my fucntion I need to call the internal widget it is possible to open or it have to please tell me the solution

        • Creator - Portal Custom Domain

          I will pay $100 in crypto to anyone who can actually get my Creator Custom Domain to function (actually tell me how you got yours to).  Domain verifies, Nothing. I've been fighting it a week, multiple chats to customer service. Clearly I'm doing something wrong.  Some datapoints Domain name itself unimportant, can be a string of numbers.  I need to know what registrars are working for you because GoDaddy does NOT.  Do I need hosting? I've tried both ways and nothing works.  I pushed through Cloudflare

        • Transitioning to API Credits in Zoho Desk

          At Zoho Desk, we’re always looking for ways to help keep your business operations running smoothly. This includes empowering teams that rely on APIs for essential integrations, functions and extensions. We’ve reimagined how API usage is measured to give

        • steps and options to change Domain DNS/Nameservers settings

          Please share the options or steps to change  Domain DNS/Nameservers settings 

        • Unable to explore desk.zoho.com

          Greetings, I have an account with zoho which already has a survey subscription. I would like to explore desk.zoho.com, but when I visit it while logged in (https://desk.zoho.com/agent?action=CreatePortal) I just get a blank page. I have tried different

        • Employees in Leave Policy exceptions

          In the Leave Policies we should be able to add specific employees to the exception list So it will be like All Employees except A,B,C in the exception list, currently we can only add departments etc

        • Searching customer field

          Hello, When entering a receipt, we select customer information. The customer information is synced with Zoho CRM. However, we can't find the customer information because it searches for words that begin with the entered value. It needs to search for words

        • How I set default email addresses for Sales Orders and Invoices

          I have customers that have different departments that handle Sales Orders and Invoices. How can i set a default email for Sales Orders that's different than the default email for Invoices? Is there a way I can automate this using the Contact Persons Departments

        • Modular Permission Levels

          We need more modular Permissions per module in Books we have 2 use cases that are creating problems We need per module export permission we have a use case where users should be able to view the sales orders but not export it, but they can export other

        • Kaizen #157: Flyouts in Client Script

          Hello everyone! Welcome back to another exciting edition of our Kaizen series, where we explore fresh insights and innovative ideas to help you discover more and expand your knowledge!In this post, we'll walk through how to display Flyouts in Client Script

        • How get stock name from other column ?

          How get stock name from other column ? e.g. =STOCK(C12;"price") where C12 is the code of the stock

        • Next Page