Bulk user onboarding for Cliq Channels in a jiffy

Bulk user onboarding for Cliq Channels in a jiffy

As developers, we frequently switch between coding, debugging, and optimizing tasks. The last thing we want is to be burdened by manual user management. Adding users one by one to a channel is tedious and prone to errors, taking up more time than we could devote to actual development. 



Let's explore how to create a custom workflow using Cliq's platform components to streamline the process of bulk-adding users to a channel via a Zoho Sheet or CSV file. This approach facilitates a smooth onboarding experience without the need for manual effort.

Pre-requisite :

Before beginning to script the code below, we must create a connection with Zoho Cliq. Once a connection is created and connected, you can use it in Deluge integration tasks and invoke URL scripts to access data from the required service.

Create a Zoho Oauth default connection with any unique name and the scopes -  ZohoCliq.Channels.All and ZohoSheet.dataApi.ALL

Refer to the below links to learn more :

Step 1  : Creation of slash command

  • After a successful login in Cliq, hover to the top right corner and click your profile. Post clicking, navigate to Bots & Tools > Commands.
  • At your right, click the button - Create Command.
  • To know more about slash commands and their purposes, refer to Introduction to slash commands.
  • Create a slash command using your preferred name. Specify the following details: the command name, a hint (to give users an idea of what the command is for), and the access level.
  • Finally, click "Save & edit code".

  1. inputs = List();
  2. inputs.add({"name":"channels","label":"Pick a channel","placeholder":"Choose a channel where you need to add members","max_selections":"1","multiple":false,"mandatory":true,"type":"native_select","data_source":"channels"});
  3. inputs.add({"name":"headername","label":"Header name","placeholder":"Email ID","hint":"In which the Email ID is present","min_length":"0","max_length":"25","mandatory":true,"type":"text"});
  4. inputs.add({"type":"radio","label":"Import type","name":"import_Type","hint":"Choose a type that you need to import users","options":[{"label":"CSV","value":"csv"},{"label":"Zoho sheet","value":"zohosheet"}],"trigger_on_change":"true"});
  5. return {"name":"addbulkuser","type":"form","title":"Add bulk users","hint":"To add maximum of upto 1000 users in a channel.","button_label":"Add Users","inputs":inputs,"action":{"type":"invoke.function","name":"addbulkusers"};

Step 2  : Scripting form function

  • We need to create a function for the form that manages submission responses, including the Zoho Sheet link or CSV file, the name of the column containing the email addresses, and the channel details where users should be added in bulk.
  • Hover to the top right corner and click your profile. After clicking, navigate to Bots & Tools > Functions.
  • To your right, click the Create Function button.
  • Name the function "addbulkusers," provide a description as desired, and select "form" as the function type. Then, click "Save and edit code," and paste the following code.
  1. emailIdList = list();
  2. successlist = list();
  3. failedlist = list();
  4. try 
  5. {
  6. info form;
  7. formValues = form.get("values");
  8. columnName = formValues.get("headername");
  9. headerName = formValues.get("headername");
  10. if(formValues.get("import_Type").get("value") == "zohosheet")
  11. {
  12. url = formValues.get("url");
  13. spreadSheetId = url.getPrefix("?").getSuffix("open/");
  14. sheetName = url.getSuffix("?").getPrefix("&").getSuffix("=");
  15. worksheetname = sheetName.replaceAll(" ","%20");
  16. columnName = columnName.replaceAll(" ","%20");
  17. allDatas = list();
  18. params = Map();
  19. params.put("column_names",columnName);
  20. params.put("method","worksheet.records.fetch");
  21. params.put("worksheet_id",sheetName + "#");
  22. sheetDetails = invokeurl
  23. [
  24. url :"https://sheet.zoho"+environment.get("tld")+"/api/v2/" + spreadSheetId
  25. type :GET
  26. parameters:params
  27. connection:"addbulkusers"
  28. ];
  29. info sheetDetails;
  30. if(sheetDetails.get("status") == "success" && sheetDetails.get("records").size() <= 1000)
  31. {
  32. allDatas.addAll(sheetDetails.get("records"));
  33. }
  34. else if(sheetDetails.get("status") == "success" && sheetDetails.get("records").size() > 1000)
  35. {
  36. return {"type":"form_error","text":"I can only able to add 1000 user. Kindly try passing with 1000 records in the sheet!!!"};
  37. }
  38. else
  39. {
  40. return {"type":"form_error","text":"I can't find any email ids. Kindly re-check the column name and header row!!!"};
  41. }
  42. info "allData: " + allDatas.size();
  43. if(allDatas.size() > 1000)
  44. {
  45. return {"type":"form_error","text":"I can only able to add 1000 user. Kindly try passing with 1000 records in the sheet!!!"};
  46. }
  47. for each  data in allDatas
  48. {
  49. if(data.get(formValues.get("headername")) == null)
  50. {
  51. return {"type":"form_error","text":"I can't find any email ids. Kindly re-check the column name and header row!!!"};
  52. }
  53. emailIdList.add(data.get(formValues.get("headername")));
  54. if(emailIdList.size() == 100)
  55. {
  56. channelID = formValues.get("channels").get("id");
  57. params = {"email_ids":emailIdList};
  58. info "Params: " + params;
  59. addUsers = invokeurl
  60. [
  61. url :environment.get("base_url") + "/api/v2/channels/" + channelID + "/members"
  62. type :POST
  63. parameters:params.toString()
  64. detailed:true
  65. connection:"addbulkusers"
  66. ];
  67. info "Adduser: " + addUsers;
  68. if(addUsers.get("responseCode") == "204")
  69. {
  70. successlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  71. }
  72. else
  73. {
  74. failedlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  75. }
  76. info "100: " + emailIdList.size();
  77. emailIdList = list();
  78. }
  79. }
  80. if(emailIdList.size() > 0)
  81. {
  82. channelID = formValues.get("channels").get("id");
  83. params = {"email_ids":emailIdList};
  84. info "Params: " + params;
  85. addUsers = invokeurl
  86. [
  87. url :environment.get("base_url") + "/api/v2/channels/" + channelID + "/members"
  88. type :POST
  89. parameters:params.toString()
  90. detailed:true
  91. connection:"addbulkusers"
  92. ];
  93. info "Adduser: " + addUsers;
  94. if(addUsers.get("responseCode") == "204")
  95. {
  96. successlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  97. }
  98. else
  99. {
  100. failedlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  101. }
  102. info "Email id: " + emailIdList;
  103. }
  104. info "Successlist: " + successlist;
  105. info "Failedlist: " + failedlist;
  106. if(successlist.size() > 0 && failedlist.size() > 0)
  107. {
  108. postMessage = {"text":"Successfully added " + successlist.size() + " member(s) and failed for " + failedlist.size() + " Member(s)"};
  109. }
  110. else if(successlist.size() > 0 && !failedlist.size() > 0)
  111. {
  112. postMessage = {"text":"Successfully added " + successlist.size() + " member(s)"};
  113. }
  114. else if(!successlist.size() > 0 && failedlist.size() > 0)
  115. {
  116. postMessage = {"text":"Adding members in channel failed for " + failedlist.size() + " member(s)"};
  117. }
  118. info zoho.cliq.postToChat(chat.get("id"),postMessage);
  119. }
  120. else
  121. {
  122. csvFile = formValues.get("csvFile");
  123. csvFile = csvFile.getfilecontent();
  124. allDatas = csvFile.toList("\n");
  125. i = 0;
  126. indexValue = 0;
  127. indexBoolean = false;
  128. for each  data in allDatas
  129. {
  130. if(i == 0)
  131. {
  132. headers = data.toList(",");
  133. for each  header in headers
  134. {
  135. info header;
  136. if(headerName == header)
  137. {
  138. indexBoolean = true;
  139. indexValue = headers.indexOf(headerName);
  140. }
  141. }
  142. if(indexBoolean == false)
  143. {
  144. return {"type":"form_error","text":"I can't find any email ids. Kindly re-check the column name and header row!!!"};
  145. }
  146. }
  147. else 
  148.             {
  149. emailIdList.add(data.get(indexValue));
  150.             }
  151. i = i + 1;
  152. if(emailIdList.size() == 100)
  153. {
  154. channelID = formValues.get("channels").get("id");
  155. params = {"email_ids":emailIdList};
  156. info "Params: " + params;
  157. addUsers = invokeurl
  158. [
  159. url :environment.get("base_url") + "/api/v2/channels/" + channelID + "/members"
  160. type :POST
  161. parameters:params.toString()
  162. detailed:true
  163. connection:"addbulkusers"
  164. ];
  165. info "Adduser: " + addUsers;
  166. if(addUsers.get("responseCode") == "204")
  167. {
  168. successlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  169. }
  170. else
  171. {
  172. failedlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  173. }
  174. info "100: " + emailIdList.size();
  175. emailIdList = list();
  176. }
  177. }
  178. if(emailIdList.size() > 0)
  179. {
  180. channelID = formValues.get("channels").get("id");
  181. params = {"email_ids":emailIdList};
  182. info "Params: " + params;
  183. addUsers = invokeurl
  184. [
  185. url :environment.get("base_url") + "/api/v2/channels/" + channelID + "/members"
  186. type :POST
  187. parameters:params.toString()
  188. detailed:true
  189. connection:"addbulkusers"
  190. ];
  191. info "Adduser: " + addUsers;
  192. if(addUsers.get("responseCode") == "204")
  193. {
  194. successlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  195. }
  196. else
  197. {
  198. failedlist.addAll(emailIdList);
  199. }
  200. }
  201. info "Successlist: " + successlist;
  202. info "Failedlist: " + failedlist;
  203. if(successlist.size() > 0 && failedlist.size() > 0)
  204. {
  205. postMessage = {"text":"Successfully added " + successlist.size() + " member(s) and failed for " + failedlist.size() + " Member(s)"};
  206. }
  207. else if(successlist.size() > 0 && !failedlist.size() > 0)
  208. {
  209. postMessage = {"text":"Successfully added " + successlist.size() + " member(s)"};
  210. }
  211. else if(!successlist.size() > 0 && failedlist.size() > 0)
  212. {
  213. postMessage = {"text":"Adding members in channel failed for " + failedlist.size() + " member(s)"};
  214. }
  215. info zoho.cliq.postToChat(chat.get("id"),postMessage);
  216. }
  217. }
  218. catch (e)
  219. {
  220. info e;
  221. return {"type":"form_error","text":"I can't find any email ids. Kindly re-check the column name and header row!!!"};
  222. }
  223. return Map();

Step 3  : Configuring form change handler

  • After copying and pasting the code into the form submission handler, navigate to the form change handler for the created form function.
  • You can find this in the top left corner of the editor, where you will see an arrow next to the form submission handler. Clicking on this arrow will display the form change handler in a dropdown menu.
  • Click it to edit the code in the form change handler, which is necessary for real-time modifications to a form's structure or behaviour based on user input in a specific field. 
  1. targetName = target.get("name");
  2. info targetName;
  3. inputValues = form.get("values");
  4. info inputValues;
  5. actions = list();
  6. if(targetName.containsIgnoreCase("import_Type"))
  7. {
  8. fieldValue = inputValues.get("import_Type").get("value");
  9. info fieldValue;
  10. if(fieldValue == "csv")
  11. {
  12. actions.add({"type":"add_after","name":"import_Type","input":{"label":"CSV File","name":"csvFile","placeholder":"Please upload a zCSV File","mandatory":true,"type":"file"}});
  13. actions.add({"type":"remove","name":"url"});
  14. }
  15. else if(fieldValue == "zohosheet")
  16. {
  17. actions.add({"type":"add_after","name":"import_Type","input":{"name":"url","label":"Enter the sheet url","placeholder":"https://sheet.zoho.com/sheet/open/6xhgb324f142e91d845e5b4b472f7422379c9","min_length":"0","max_length":"400","mandatory":true,"type":"text","format":"url"}});
  18. actions.add({"type":"remove","name":"csvFile"});
  19. }
  20. }
  21. return {"type":"form_modification","actions":actions};

Business use cases:

  • HR onboarding: Seamlessly add new employees to internal communication channels.
  • Event management: Quickly invite attendees to event-specific channels.
  • Education platforms: Enroll students in course groups in one go.
  • Community building: Grow large communities by importing member lists effortlessly.

Bottom line

Bulk user addition in Cliq channels through Zoho Sheet or CSV files allows us to eliminate tedious tasks, reduce errors, and manage large-scale data effortlessly. Is onboarding consuming too much of your valuable development time? If so, it might be time to shake things up with a customized workflow!

We're here to help, so don't hesitate to reach out to support@zohocliq.com with any questions or if you need assistance in crafting even more tailored workflows.

    • Sticky Posts

    • Automating Employee Birthday Notifications in Zoho Cliq

      Have you ever missed a birthday and felt like the office Grinch? Fear not, the Cliq Developer Platform has got your back! With Zoho Cliq's Schedulers, you can be the office party-cipant who never forgets a single cake, balloon, or awkward rendition of
    • Automate attendance tracking with Zoho Cliq Developer Platform

      I wish remote work were permanently mandated so we could join work calls from a movie theatre or even while skydiving! But wait, it's time to wake up! The alarm has snoozed twice, and your team has already logged on for the day. Keeping tabs on attendance
    • Customer payment alerts in Zoho Cliq

      For businesses that depend on cash flow, payment updates are essential for operational decision-making and go beyond simple accounting entries. The sales team needs to be notified when invoices are cleared so that upcoming orders can be released. In contrast,
    • Accelerate Github code reviews with Zoho Cliq Platform's link handlers

      Code reviews are critical, and they can get buried in conversations or lost when using multiple tools. With the Cliq Platform's link handlers, let's transform shared Github pull request links into interactive, real-time code reviews on channels. Share
    • App Spotlight : PagerDuty for Zoho Cliq

      App Spotlight brings you hand-picked apps to enhance the power of your Zoho apps and tools. Visit the Zoho Marketplace to explore all of our apps, integrations, and extensions. In today's fast-paced world, seizing every moment is essential for operational
    • Recent Topics

    • How to check task starting time in zoho mobile app?

      I am using the Zoho mobile app on my iPhone, and I am not able to see the task's starting and finishing times. When opening the Task information / Details, I can only see the Task start date and due date, but not the time. Is there any way to check a
    • Creating an extension in Sigma: Zoho CRM isn't selectable as a service

      I have 2 Zoho accounts which are part of 2 different workplaces. One workplace is able to select 'Zoho CRM' as a service option when creating a new extension, the other one is not. I'm not sure what the exact differences are between them. What do I need
    • List of packaged components and if they are upgradable

      Hello, In reference to the article Components and Packaging in Zoho Vertical Studio, can you provide an overview of what these are. Can you also please provide a list of of components that are considered Packaged and also whether they are Upgradable?
    • Export Tickets from the Help Center

      Hello everyone! We are now allowing end users to export tickets directly from the help center. The ticket export allows users to: Filter tickets by Department, Priority, and Account before exporting. Download files from Export History (Setup > Data administration
    • Is it possible to remove filtering options?

      My CRM has a lot of custom fields that should not be used in filters or views. Fields that are automated and exist only to store temporary values that get used in functions. These create a lot of noise in the list of fields to filter. Isn't there any
    • Function #18: Associate invoice templates automatically based on customer language

      For businesses dealing with a diverse linguistic clientele, it becomes crucial to send out invoices in the customer's preferred language to ensure effective communication. This requirement can be handled in Zoho Books by creating invoice templates in
    • Changing field types

      Question im a Zoho CRM user and curious, if I change a flied type from single or multi line text to a URL field type will i lose the data in the field or will it be converted to website link automatically. Thanks
    • Quote PDF – Header image stopped rendering suddenly

      Hello Zoho Support Team, We are facing an issue with Quote PDF templates in Zoho Books. Previously, images added inside the Quote header HTML were rendering correctly. However, recently the header image is no longer appearing, while header text still
    • Changing Default PDF Name

      Is it possible to change the default name of a PDF? As of right now, all of my quotes are named 'QT_$QuoteNumber' (i,e: 'QT_19803471298374) - would it be possible to change this to: '$CompanyName - $AccountName - $QuoteNumber' for instance?
    • Tip 2: Recursive functions in Deluge: How to dynamically run a function for a specified number of times.

      Hi folks, As part of the Zoho Creator - Tips and Tricks series every fortnight, we are back today with a new tip on Recursive functions.  Let us first quickly understand what Recursive functions are: A function that calls itself one or more times is known as a Recursive function. That is, you can execute a function to perform a particular action a specific number of times. And, at the end of each iteration, a new output is generated. Recursive functions are commonly used by programmers as it enables
    • Function #48: Manage fixed installment payments using Zoho Books

      Hello everyone, and welcome back to our series! Businesses offer installment payment options to their customers, particularly for expensive purchases, to ease the financial burden on them. By breaking down the total cost into smaller, more manageable
    • Spotlight series #6: The Show app for Android TV has a new look!

      Hello everyone! We are delighted to introduce our revamped and redesigned Show app for Android TV.  Smart TVs are exploding in popularity. Android TV alone has over 110 million active monthly devices. Zoho Show, as part of a constant effort to improve
    • Can’t create alias “Email alias already exists”

      Hi, I’m trying to create the following alias for my domain email. contact@ personal@ private@ But I get a email alias already exists. I had a soho account previously which I deleted which I suspect is causing the issue. Can someone assist? Kind Rega
    • Appraisals - Order of Previous Reviews Should Be Newest to Oldest

      The new Zoho People layout generally does a decent job at providing the necessary information for performing appraisals of employee performance. One example of this is the Previous Reviews section: This information is helpful when conducting a review.
    • Paging through API results. a major gap in your documentation.

      There is no way for me. to get all of my data through a single API call. Typically REST APis have mechanisms for paging through API results. But the documentation for the API I am using: https://desk.zoho.com/DeskAPIDocument#Introduction Has no mention
    • Recurring invoices were generated with old template...

      I have recurring invoices setup. Ones generated on 10.20.2025 used the modified template I had used. But for some reason, on the ones created on 11/20/2025, it seems the invoices created reverted to the previous version of the invoice template. Notably,
    • Tip #54- Exploring the Files Icon in Zoho Assist- 'Insider Insights'

      As we’re already in mid-December, it’s a good time to take a closer look at one of the most useful options in the Zoho Assist remote support dashboard—the Files icon. To get started, log in to Zoho Assist using your credentials. Once you’re in, navigate
    • Tip#47: Estimation planner

      Sprint planning becomes easier, smoother, more collaborative and more accurate with the Estimation Planner extension. Most work items involve multiple users, and each user's role and effort vary. To provide an unbiased and fair estimation point to the
    • Time Tracking on Iphone doesn't stop

      When I start a time tracking session the timer starts as expected. However when I hit stop, the timer remains on that project. The only buttons available are discard and start. Start runs the timer more and discard says it will throw away the data from
    • Zoho Sign - Zoho CRM extension upgrade

      Hi everyone, We've updated Zoho Sign extension for Zoho CRM with significant internal changes. Impact on existing Zoho Sign extension users Users using the extension without customization If you are using the integration without implementing Zoho Sign's
    • Group by Owner/ Owner Kanban /Group by Custom Field

      Hi, We are missing the option of viewing Tasks grouped by their owner, as it is an essential function for us to manage our employees' working tasks. We find it hard to inspect what are the tasks that our employees are working on.  We are seeking an option
    • Flow using way too many tasks

      I built a flow that is using way too many tasks for what it is doing. I reached out to support a week ago but never heard back so hoping the community can help. Does a filter count as a task? I am seeing tons of records filtered with < 1 Sec Time Taken
    • Regarding the integration of Apollo.io with Zoho crm.

      I have been seeing for the last 3 months that your Apollo.io beta version is available in Zoho Flow, and this application has not gone live yet. We requested this 2 months ago, but you guys said that 'we are working on it,' and when we search on Google
    • Start Workflow from Deluge Script

      I have developed a customized process from our CRM that leverages a deluge script to create a statement of work document. Once the document has been created via the merge and store function, I would like the ability to start a workdrive review & approve
    • Saved Sections?

      In sites editor, the + button reveals options to add a section, element, etc. It includes Saved Sections, but I can find no way to save a section I've already created. Otherwise, is there a way to copy a section from one page to another?
    • Marketer's Space: Unable to select a sender address? Here's the fix

      Hello Marketers, Welcome back to yet another post! So you've added a sender address in Zoho Campaigns and later found that you're not able to select it while creating an email campaign. Has this ever happened to you? If so, don't worry—you're not alone.
    • Loading Project Balances in ZOHO Books for each project

      Hello, What is the best method for loading project balances actual and budget into ZOHO books to provide tracking to our project managers. We have projects and federal awards (also treated as projects) which span multiple years. We are converting from
    • Scale up your writing style with content analysis tool in Knowledge Base

      Hello everyone, Sometimes writers may have strong knowledge about the subject but may find it challenging to articulate clearly or produce comprehensible, jargon free content. To make the process easier and to ensure consistent, high-quality articles,
    • Zoho Books "Update" Trigger for Zapier?

      Hi Zoho Team, I've been in talks with Zapier about using their services to connect my Zoho Books account to various apps, but I require an additional trigger beyond the "New" trigger. I require an "Update" trigger, which will allow me to filter and create Zaps only when certain conditions are fulfilled on the Zoho Books end before I automate a separate app. Specifically this will help me create invoices in QuickBooks Online only when payments are recorded in Zoho Books, rather than when a new invoice
    • How to prevent editing of closed tickets in Zoho Desk?

      I would like to confirm whether it is possible to completely prevent agents from editing tickets once their status is set to Closed. Is there any configuration, permission, or best practice in Zoho Desk to ensure that closed tickets remain read-only and
    • Zoho Desk Limitations

      Good day, all, I would like to know whether others share my frustration with some of Zoho's limitations. Don't get me wrong, I like Desk (and I also have a subscription for Analytics), I have been with them for close to 10 years, and unfortunately, I
    • New Mandatory One-Click Unsubscribe Link Overshadowing Custom Unsubscribe Link

      I was recently informed by Zoho CRM Support that they are now mandated by the large email service providers like Google and Yahoo to provide a one-click unsubscribe option in the header (not the body) of all mass emails. I have a custom unsubscribe link
    • how to undoreconciled transaction

      how to undo reconciled transaction
    • Service Title in Service Report Template Builder

      I am currently working on the Service Report Template Builder in Zoho FSM. I have created three separate service report templates for different workflows: Preventive Maintenance Report Requested Service Report Installation Report My issue is that I cannot
    • Zoho Sign for Zoho Projects

      Documents authorization and validation with signature is now easier in project management with Zoho Projects' Zoho Sign extension. Sign documents or send them for signatures directly from tasks and issues using Zoho Sign extension in Zoho Projects. Extension
    • Deluge Learning Series – Best Practices in Deluge | December 2025

      We’re excited to bring you the next session of the Deluge Learning Series, focused entirely on writing cleaner, faster, and more reliable Deluge code. In this edition, we’ll dive deep into the essential best practices every Deluge developer should follow
    • Associate a Contact to a Campaign using deluge?

      If I want to add one record to another related list, which zoho function do I use? zoho.updateRelatedRecord is not it I don't think.  I simply want to take a "Contact" and associate it to a "Campaign" using deluge.  Can anyone help? contactId = 5122008000000796037;
    • Add "Groups" above "Users" in the Zoho Forms Left Menu

      Hi, We have Groups but you have to go to a Form and Share or use the Directory App to manage them, please add "Groups" above "Users" in the Zoho Forms Left Menu so you can manage them in 1 place within Zoho Forms too. Thanks Dan
    • Zoho Books | Product updates | October 2025

      Hello users, We’ve rolled out new features and enhancements in Zoho Books. From iOS 26 updates to viewing reports as charts, explore the updates designed to enhance your bookkeeping experience. Zoho Books Updates for Apple Devices At WWDC 2025, Apple
    • Adding Taxes to paid consultations in Zoho Bookings

      I created a 'paid' consultation under Zoho Booking and integrated it with payment gateways for online/instant payment before a booking is done. How can I add 'taxes' to the price of consultation? I can add taxes to other Zoho apps (liks Books, Checkout,
    • Next Page