Introducing the all-new email parser!

Introducing the all-new email parser!

Greetings,
 
We are pleased to introduce to you, a brand-new, upgraded version of the Zoho CRM Email Parser, which is packed with fresh features and has been completely redesigned to meet latest customers needs and their business requirements.
 
On that note, the Old Email Parser will reach end-of-life on June 1, 2023. After EOL, old email parser will not be available in your CRM account. In the spirit of preparing for this deprecation, we encourage all of you to try the all-new email parser at the earliest. In this post, we will discuss key pointers on the following:
— the improvements made in the New Email Parser
— how to prepare for deprecation of the Old Email Parser

What is the email parser?

Email parser is a data extraction tool in Zoho CRM that helps an organization in various business functions such as lead generation and information updates. It is designed to automate the process of adding records to Zoho CRM by extracting information from incoming emails.
Now, let's have a detailed look at the functionalities that we have brought with this enhancement. 

Enhancements in the New Email Parser

The following are the enhancements you can now see when you switch to the latest version of the email parser:

1. Single parser email ID for all parser rules  

Previously, for each parser rule there was a different parser address. It was often tedious to assign and keep track of a new parser ID for each individual vendors. The logistics involved in tracking and maintaining these parser IDs was itself often time-consuming. However, in the new version of the email parser, there's only a single, common parser email ID for all rules, meaning that regardless of how many vendors you're working with or how many rules you create, you can use one parser ID for all. This makes working with the email parser much easier and cuts down your setup and maintenance time significantly.


Also, a maximum of five approved parser addresses can be set up in common for all rules early on during the configuration.

2. A more powerful and intuitive configuration interface  

In the latest version of email parser, the entire configuration interface allows free parsing and is highly intuitive, powerful, and, most importantly, user-friendly—unlike the previous version, which demanded rigid adherence to delimiters. 


The email parser interface automatically gives you a preview of the parsed data on the same screen where the field mapping occurs, so it's easier to get a snapshot of all the fields that are being parsed.

There's also an advanced configuration tab which involves options for filtering emails applicable to the parser based on criteria and associating automated actions, such as sending for approval, updating fields, and assigning records to certain users based on assignment rules.

You can also parse HTML emails directly, as opposed to converting them to plain text emails first—which was necessary for the old parser. You can also create email parser rules for each layout in a module.

3. Custom functions: Configure the email parser without associating a module

The new email parser now supports the execution of custom functions based on parsed data. In this case, the parser rule is not associated with a particular module. Using custom functions helps you with extensibility and interoperability in Zoho CRM. You can extend the email parser function to more than one module within Zoho CRM, and even to connect with other Zoho services. You can also perform ad hoc actions in third-party applications based on the parsed data.

  • For example, let's say that based on an incoming email inquiry, a property management company called Zylker wishes to update both Contact and Account records in CRM. The email sender's name, phone number, and address will go to the Contacts module, whereas their company information will go to the Accounts module.
  • Let's say also that the same company has another requirement: Based on an incoming email from a customer regarding the status of their property, they want to update corresponding information on a third-party listing website automatically. They can achieve this by using the email parser to execute custom functions.
Once you have the required custom functions written, you can associate them to the parser rule and have the action executed for subsequent incoming emails.

4. Update records and send them for approval

Update Record is a function by which you can update the latest information on a record from an incoming parsed email.

For example, say you receive an incoming email from a prospect named Jane Evans. Normally, a new lead record would be created for a new inquiry email, but if Jane is already in the CRM system, you want the CRM to update Jane's information on the same record as opposed to creating a duplicate record. If this is your expectation, you can check the Update Record option in the parser rule's Advanced Configuration settings.
 
Note: CRM will use the email field to detect duplicate records. For the Update Record option to show up, you must have first mapped the "Email" field from the email content, which serves as the primary identifier, or a "unique field" for a record.
 
You can also choose the Send for Approval option—in which case, records parsed via email parser need to be reviewed and approved from the Waiting for Approval tab in the selected module in order to become a part of the CRM system.

5. Informative parser reports 

In the new version of the email parser, you're presented with accurate, detailed insights on the number of emails being parsed per rule, the fields extracted, and a list of customized actions associated with the records the parser has created. This detail summary gives you a clear picture of how effective your rules have been and indicates the revisions you may need to make to those rules based on those insights.
 
Detailed weekly performance reports can be sent to the creator of these rules or a custom email ID. Email reports are also sent upon record creation failure so that the appropriate users can take immediate action.


6. Reorder and filter  

You now have an option to reorder the list of parser rules based on your preferred order. This is important because the email parser system is designed to execute only the very first rule whose criteria an incoming email meets. Therefore, the order of the parser rules becomes essential for effective email parser performance.

You can also filter rules by status (active/inactive) and also by module.

7. Contextual access to parsed emails  

You can view not only the Configuration Info for each parser rule, but also insights based on parsed emails.




This way, from the perspectives of both parser rules and parsed emails, you can derive useful insights.
 
The "Email" tab lists the most recent email in your parser inbox, where you can check properties like parsing status, the rule used to parse it, and more. If the email has not met any rule, you may also create a new parser rule contextually from this email page.


You can also re-run an email in the event of parser failure if there's no match found, as well as parse emails in bulk. (Note that this is applicable only for the emails that have a template match and for which the parsing was unsuccessful.)

Preparing for deprecation of the Old Email Parser

For existing users:

Existing users, who have not already switched to the new parser can do so by clicking on the Switch to New Parser button. Rules available in both the parsers will be working simultaneously until the Old parser is deprecated, but the rules available in the Old parser will not be displayed in the New parser view, and vice versa.



It's essential to manually create the existing rules in the New parser because once the Old parser is deprecated, only the rules present in the new parser will function. Since there won't be any rules from the previous parser available, the new parser will require that you create all rules from scratch.

Please note:  

  • Until the deprecation of the Old Email Parser on June 1, 2023, both the old and new versions will co-exist, after which, the New Email Parser will become the default version. .
  • The rules in the Old Email Parser parser won't be available once it has been deprecated. Therefore, if no rules are added to the New Email Parser , there won't be a parser to run. So be sure to write rules in the New Email Parser before the deprecation. Additionally, keep in mind that once your old rules have become obsolete, they cannot be recovered.

For new signups  

For new signups, only the new parser will be available as the default feature, and not the old parser. There is no action required from users in new signups.

Further reading   

Help Doc: Click here
What's New and What has Changed — A comparison guide: Click here

Thanks, have a great day. 
Regards, 
Sai Shree | Zoho CRM 

    • Recent Topics

    • Connecting Portals from different Zoho apps

      Hi, I note that Zoho has functionality for customer portals for several of the Zoho apps, like CRM, Projects, Desk etc. Is there any way to connect these portals?  It would be great if we could give our customers access to a portal in which they could

    • Not able to item an item to non taxable via api, despite sending is_taxable as false

      Hi everyone, I'm trying to update an item via books api and even when sending is_taxable as false, the item still shows Taxable in zoho, I get no errors as well when I update, any help appreciated in this!

    • Collection & Payment Mapping Automation

      We book Sales Invoices and Purchase Invoices against Same Projects. Both Sales Invoices & Purchase Invoices can have one or multiple Projects mentioning the Project ID. We prefer to Make vendor Payments Once we have received The Collections from Clients

    • Nested Sub-forms (Subform within subform)

      Hi Team, Whether there is any possibilities to add sub-form with in another sub-form like Main Form       -> Sub form A             ->Sub form B If we tried this, only one level of sub form only working.  Any one having any idea about this? Thanks Selvamuthukumar R

    • Restore Trashed Records Anytime Within 30 Days

      Access the recycle bin from the Data Administration tab under the settings page in Zoho Projects, which gives better control over the trashed data. When records like projects, phases, task lists, tasks, issues, or project templates are trashed, they are

    • Avoiding Inventory Duplication When Creating Bills for Previously Added Stock

      I had created several items in Zoho Books and manually added their initial stock at the time of item creation. However, I did not record the purchase cost against those items during that process. Now, I would like to create Purchase Orders and convert

    • Applying EUR Payments to USD Invoices in Zoho Books

      Hello, I have a customer to whom I issue invoices in USD. However, this customer makes payments in both EUR and USD. I have already enabled the multi-currency feature in Zoho Books Elite, but I am facing an issue: When the customer makes a payment in

    • How to prevent users from editing mail merge templates from Zoho crm

      We want users to use public mail merge templates. They should not be able to edit templates but only preview data merge and send emails. We did prohibit "manage mail merge template" in the user profile. But they can still edit the template in the zoho

    • Customer Addresses cannot be edited/deleted in invoices

      In the invoices we have an option to change the customer address and add a new address Now I dont know why for some reason if we add an address through this field, the address doesn't appear in the customer module We cannot delete the addresses added

    • Custom Fields connected to Invoices, Customers, Quotes, CRM

      I created the exact same custom fields in Books: Invoices, Customer, Quotes, and in CRM but they don't seem to have a relationship to one another. How do I connect these fields so that the data is mapped across transactions?

    • 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

    • Heads up: We're going to update the VAT Summary table's visibility (UK and Germany Editions)

      Hello users, Note: This change only applies to organisations using the UK and Germany editions of Zoho Books. Currently, if you've enabled the VAT Summary table in a template, it will be displayed only in PDFs sent to your customers whose default currency

    • Partial payment invoicing

      Greetings I have questions related to payments and retainer invoices: 1. When I want to issue a partial payment invoice, I can't specify the portion to be paid or already paid, then balance to be shown as Due. 2. Retainer invoice is only available as

    • Inputting VAT Pre-Registration expenses for first VAT Return

      Hi Zoho, I've just registered for VAT and am setting up Zoho to handle calculations and VAT return submissions. I'm struggling to figure out how to input the last 4 years worth of expenses into Zoho so that they're calculated in the VAT module. When I

    • Anyone else experiencing very slow loading of pages in Zoho Projects?

      I reported this yesterday only to be told there are no issues but is anyone else experiencing stupidly slow loading of pages. On our loading screen, it is taking often as long as 60 seconds to load a page and just stays on this screen for ages! Other

    • Zoho Desk Lookup Field Reporting

      Thank you for adding the ability to add additional lookup fields for desk tickets. My question is how do you report against these fields? For example: Associating related accounts to the primary desk ticket account, I am not able to add the lookup fields

    • Integrating asana will cause notification messages to pop up continuously

      When I create or edit a task in Asana, the Asana bot keeps updating messages to group chat, which causes the cliq to keep popping up notifications.

    • Is there an API to "File a Ticket" in Desk

      Hi, Is there an API to "File a Ticket" in Desk to zoho projects?

    • Entire notebook that had notes has disappeared

      I don't know how tf this happened. All I did was uninstall and reinstall the mobile app after fixing a bug I had. After I reinstalled the app, everything was synced back except for one folder which had a bunch of notes in it. None of those notes are in

    • My site has disappeared from web builder

      www.mproperties.uk My site above is still working. However it has completely disappeared from my Zoho sites' web builder. I am therefore unable to edit my site whatsoever. Please help.

    • Kaizen #147 - Frequently Asked Questions on Zoho CRM Widgets

      Heya! It's Kaizen time again, folks! This week, we aim to address common queries about Zoho CRM Widgets through frequently asked questions from our developer forum. Take a quick glance at these FAQs and learn from your peers' inquiries. 1. Where can I

    • Trying to trigger email notification based on rollup summary field

      Hi there, I'm trying to trigger an email notification via Workflow Rules wherever the rollup summary field "Total Shipments" goes from empty to not empty. However this field is not available from the picklist of options in the Workflow rule. Can anyone

    • zia data enrichment - switch to webamigo Extension

      Hello, I have so far used data enrichment via Zia. Now I have installed the Webamigo extension to expand personal data. Unfortunately, nothing has changed after the installation; are there any additional steps needed to switch from the previous method

    • Rich-text fields in Zoho CRM

      Hello everyone, We're thrilled to announce an important enhancement that will significantly enhance the readability and formatting capabilities of your information: rich text options for multi-line fields. With this update, you can now enjoy a more versatile

    • Export Timeline

      With the new Timeline features, it would be really helpful to have the option to export a timeline. When handling customer complaints, having the full breakdown of everything that happens on a module is great but we usually have to send this to another

    • Interactions Tab in Zoho CRM: A 360° Omnichannel View of Every Customer Touchpoint

      Hello Everyone, Hope you are well! We are here today with yet another announcement in our series for the revamped Zoho CRM. Today, we introduce Interactions Tab a new way to view all customer interactions from one place inside your CRM account. Customers

    • How to resubscribe a contact marked as "Unsubscribed (Marked by Recipient)" without using a form?

      Hello, I have a question regarding Zoho Marketing Automation functionality. Is there a way for an administrator to change the subscription status of a contact marked as "Unsubscribed (Marked by Recipient)" back to "Subscribed" without using a form? Ideally,

    • Linkedin: when Zoho Social is going serious with it?

      Hi, it's been said in the past that Linkedin related features in Zoho Social were well behind those of other social networks because of limitations imposed by the platform. Now that we see around my tools (take taplio.com) frankly outpacing ZSocial on

    • 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(7/24)

      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。 7月開催のZoho ワークアウトについてお知らせします。 2ヶ月ぶりに、渋谷にて「リアル開催」します！ ▷▷詳細はこちら：https://www.zohomeetups.com/20250724Zoho ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 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 ワークアウト」を開催します。 Zoho サービスで完了させたい設定やカスタマイズ、環境の整備など……各自で決めた目標達成に向け、

    • How to get fields centered in a form?

      Is it possible to center fields in a form? Some of my forms do some don't and it is really not aestheticly pleasing?  Any help would be greatly appricated. Thanks, Michael McNeill 

    • Make Packages from multiple sales order of a single customer

      Our customers sends orders to us very frequently, some times what customer wants is to ship items from 5 to 6 sales orders in a single shipment. it will be very nice if, zoho can implement this function, in which we can select items from other sales orders of the customer.

    • Webhooks and Integration

      Hey, I was looking to create automation using webhooks or something equivalent of a trigger based mechanism, to connect it as an integration. But I don't find any relevant APIs to setup these webhooks/notifcations for the "Zoho Books". Can anyone please

    • Zoho Books X Zoho Expense

      Hello there, Please can you tell me if it is possible to sync from Books to Expense? I much prefer the Expense reports to that of Books and the Credit Card feeds work via expense and not Books for me. However I find books is much better to deal with the

    • ABILITY TO LOG INTO CUSTOMER PORTAL

      I think it would be very helpful to have a button in Zoho Books to be able to see the customer portal so we can see what they see to help them navigate through the portal. Many times, the customer will call about the portal, but without visibility into

    • Sort, filter & save views for BOOKS PROJECTS

      Thanks for all the updates. Our firm uses the module for simple internal project accountancy. This means we do everything from the Projects Section but this isn't user friendly at all. You can't do anything with customized your own fields which basically

    • edit input format in custom field - sales order

      hi, I want to integrate a custom field (multi line text box) in our sales order. It needs to show upper case and lower case letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens and "/". What do I need to put in the custom format to configure these signs? Thanks, Tina

    • This transaction type cannot be matched with a line on the statement.

      When using the books API https://www.zohoapis.com/books/v3/banktransactions/uncategorized/${transaction.transaction_id}/match I get this error "This transaction type cannot be matched with a line on the statement." What I'm doing is for the uncategorized

    • Full Text Customization & Translation in SalesIQ Chat Widget Settings

      Dear Zoho SalesIQ Team, Greetings, We would like to request an important enhancement to the chat widget customization options in Zoho SalesIQ. Current Limitation: At the moment, only some of the text shown in the chat widget is editable or translatable

    • Power of Automation :: Quick way to associate your Projects with Zoho CRM

      A custom function is a software code that can be used to automate a process and this allows you to automate a notification, call a webhook, or perform logic immediately after a workflow rule is triggered. This feature helps to automate complex tasks and

    • Timesheets

      I wanted to create the timesheets remainder for our team mates who miss out the weekly timesheet entries. While creating the email templates, I couldn't see anything related to timesheets. Since it shows projects Can you help me find and build a one

    • Next Page