Using Custom Functions to Solve a Complex Use Case in Zoho Projects

Using Custom Functions to Solve a Complex Use Case in Zoho Projects

Custom functions, also known as user-defined functions or UDFs, allow you to create your own functions in addition to the built-in functions provided within Zoho Projects. One of the key benefits of using custom functions in Zoho is that they allow you to automate complex tasks and calculations.

For example, if you want the status of a parent task to be updated in correspondence with that of its sub-task, this feature lets you write your own code which will perform the desired function. The code below when executed will automatically change the parent task's status to "To be tested" when its sub-task moves to the "To be tested" phase.

// TODO: Please create a connection for the Zoho Projects service with the scopes "ZohoProjects.task.ALL". Replace 'xxxxxxxxx' with the connection name. Click this link below to learn how to create the connection.
taskDetails = zoho.projects.getRecordById(portalId,projectId,"tasks",taskId,"xxxxxxxxx");
info "current task Details : " + taskDetails;
info "-------------------------------------";
parentTaskId = "";
if(taskDetails != null && taskDetails.get("tasks") != null && taskDetails.get("tasks").size() > 0)
{
taskInfo = taskDetails.get("tasks").get(0);
parentTaskId = taskInfo.get("parent_task_id");
}
info "parentTaskId: " + parentTaskId ;
if(parentTaskId != null && parentTaskId != "")
{
parentTaskDetailsOfCurrentTask = zoho.projects.getRecordById(portalId,projectId,"tasks",parentTaskId,"xxxxxxxxx");
if(parentTaskDetailsOfCurrentTask != null && parentTaskDetailsOfCurrentTask.get("tasks") != null && parentTaskDetailsOfCurrentTask.get("tasks").size() > 0)
{
parentTaskInfo = parentTaskDetailsOfCurrentTask.get("tasks").get(0);
parentTaskStatusId = parentTaskInfo.get("status").get("id");
updateTaskParameter = Map();
updateTaskParameter.put("custom_status",parentTaskStatusId);
info updateTaskParameter;
taskDetails = zoho.projects.update(portalId,projectId,"Tasks",parentTaskId,updateTaskParameter,"xxxxxxxxx");
info "updated Task response : "+ taskDetails;
}
}

return "success";


Custom functions also make it easier to collaborate with other team members on your codebase. By encapsulating complex logic in reusable functions, you can create a more modular and flexible codebase especially useful when working on large, complex projects with multiple team members.

 

Creating custom functions in Zoho Projects is straightforward and well-documented. Zoho provides a range of built-in functions that you can use as a starting point, and you can also easily define your own functions using Zoho's scripting language, Deluge. If you're facing a complex use case in Zoho Projects, I highly recommend giving custom functions a try.

 

Watch this space for more such custom function codes.



      • Sticky Posts

      • Time Log Reminder

        Tracking the time spent on tasks and issues is one of the most important functions of a timesheet. However, users may forget to update the time logs because they have their own goals to achieve. But, time logs must be updated at regular intervals to keep

      • Enhanced Collaboration and Global Web Tabs

        Hello Users, We are rolling out two key enhancements in Zoho Projects that will be part of our November release. Here’s what to expect: 1. Collaboration Section in the Left Navigation Panel What’s new? All communication and interactive tools will be grouped

      • Tip 37: Time Log Restriction in Zoho Projects

        Timesheet in Zoho Projects helps you big time in entering log hours for the tasks and issues and approving them. Now, with the new Time Log Restriction option, you can set daily and weekly log hour limits. You can restrict users from entering extra log hours than the permissible limit. The limits are restricted to 24 hours per day and 168 hours per week by default based on business hours. To customize, navigate to Task & Timesheet settings under Portal Configuration in Zoho Projects setup and enable

      • Rename Task Module To Suit Your Project

        Task Module in Zoho Projects gives a comprehensive view of all the action items, known as Tasks, across all projects. However, different industries may use alternative terminology for similar processes, which might not always be recognised when labelled

      • Project Billing with the Staff Hours Method in Zoho Projects

        The Staff Hours Billing Method in Zoho Projects allows you to bill your clients based on the actual time spent by each team member on a project, at the rate set for each user. This is useful for projects where different skill sets are needed and service