Building extensions #5: Integrating applications with Zoho Projects through Connections

Building extensions #5: Integrating applications with Zoho Projects through Connections

In our last post, we discussed the essential features that a Zoho Projects extension can provide. Starting with this post andin every subsequent post going forward, we'll go through each of those features in depth, one by one, with an example use case.
In this post, we'll explore the Connections feature in detail.

Connections: When and why?

Creating a tightly coupled integration requires the establishment of a secure connection between applications. To achieve this secured connection, the Sigma platform provides the Connection feature that can be used to establish a secure link and perform data operations across applications seamlessly and efficiently through an extension.

Use case

Working on development-related tasks might require dealing with a variety of files, such as code snippets, help documents, or service level agreements. While several file management applications are available to securely store and organize data, manually handling file storage between applications remains challenging.

For our example, let's use Zoho Projects to manage all tasks, and Dropbox to manage and store data.

What is the difficulty faced?

Dropbox offers a file request feature that allows you to collect files and organize them into folders. However, as we talked about in our previous post, manually categorizing and uploading task-related files to their respective file request folders in Dropbox would be a time-consuming and laborious activity. Instead, it would be more efficient to integrate Dropbox with Zoho Projects so that uploading task files to Dropbox file request folders can be done instantly from within Zoho Projects.


How can it be sorted?

You can create a connection between Zoho Projects and Dropbox. With the secure connection setup, the file request folders available in Dropbox can be listed on the task details page of Zoho Projects through an extension. You may then easily upload files from Zoho Projects to their corresponding folders in Dropbox, saving time and making you more organized.

What are the components required to achieve this use case?

  1. A connection between Zoho Projects and Dropbox.
  2. An extension configuration that includes:
  • Creating an extension
  • Configuring the plugin manifest
  • Setting up the widget code to display the Dropbox file request folders inside the Zoho Projects task details page.
Now, let's see how we can achieve each of these components.

1. Creating a secure connection using the Connection feature

  • Log in or sign up into developer.zoho.com.
  • Go to Sigma and access your workspace.
  • Once you enter your workspace, select the Connections section in Sigma.
Note: Connections created in Zoho Projects are also accessible within the Connections section in Sigma. These connections can be used in extensions to connect with other applications.

  • Choose the service as Zoho Projects and select your Zoho Projects organization. Click on Create Connection.

  • Sigma offers a list of default services from which you can choose and easily connect with Zoho Projects. If the application you want to integrate isn’t in the default list, you can add and build a connection with it using the custom services option.
Note: If you’re looking to connect Zoho Projects with another Zoho Product that also follows the OneAuth authentication mechanism, select the service Zoho OneAuth from the Default Services list to create the connection.

  • In our example, the application to connect with Zoho Projects is Dropbox, and because it’s in the Default Services list, go ahead and choose Dropbox.

  • After choosing the service, enter the connection name. A connection link name will be populated automatically.
  • Toggle Use credentials of login user to Yes if you want every user installing the extension to access the connection using their own login credentials, or No if admin credentials are enough to access the connection.
  • In our example, we'll proceed with the former. So toggle to Yes, and then click Create and connect.
Note: For services in which the option to choose the scopes is displayed, choose the necessary scopes, and then click Create and connect.

  • You’ll be directed through a series of authorization steps before being prompted to connect with Dropbox by entering your login information.
  • The connection will be established successfully once you sign in with Dropbox, and you will be redirected to the Connection Summary details page in Sigma.
  • To access this connection as part of an extension, you’ll need to configure the sample code provided under the JSON section in the plugin-manifest.json file. We’ll explore this in the next section.

2. Extension configuration

Now that we've successfully established our connection, let's look at how we can achieve our use case feature of displaying the Dropbox file request folder within the Zoho Projects task detail page. As mentioned earlier, to accomplish this, we’ll need to implement the following measures.
A. Create an extension

B. Configure the plugin-manifest.json file

C. Set up the widget code
Let's explore these steps in order.

A. Create an extension
B. Configure the plugin-manifest.json file
  • As previously stated, to access the connection established between Zoho Projects and Dropbox, the connection must first be configured in the plugin-manifest.json file.
  • Copy the JSON sample code from the Connection Summary Details page and paste it into the plugin-manifest.jsonfile as the value for the connections key.

  • You will also need to white list the Dropbox domain for Dropbox calls to be processed without being blocked.
  • Include the domain in the plugin-mainfest.json file as the value for the whiteLitsedDomains key.

  • As we saw in our earlier post, the plugin-manifest.json file includes a widget called Projects Extension by default. For our example, because we’re connecting with Dropbox and constructing a widget that will include Dropbox request folders to upload files, enter the widget name and location.

  • The final configured plugin-manifest.json file for our example would be as follows:
  1. {
  2. "connectors": [{
  3. "connectionLinkName": "dropbox",
  4. "userAccess": true,
  5. "sharedBy": "xxxxxxx",
  6. "connectionName": "dropbox",
  7. "serviceName": "dropbox",
  8. "isUserDefinedService": false
  9. }],
  10. "whiteListedDomains": ["https://api.dropboxapi.com"],
  11. "service": "PROJECTS",
  12. "cspDomains": {
  13. "connect-src": []
  14. },
  15. "storage": true,
  16. "locale": ["en"],
  17. "config": [],
  18. "modules": {
  19. "widgets": [{
  20. "name": "Dropbox - File Upload",
  21. "location": "taskdetails_rightpanel",
  22. "url": "/app/dropbox.html"
  23. }],
  24. "triggers": []
  25. }
  26. }

C. Setting up the widget code

Now, that we’ve created an extension and configured the plugin manifest file, let's finally set up the widget code in order to display all Dropbox file request folders inside our task details right panel.

Dropbox.html widget code: Please find the widget code snippet as an attachment in this post.
  • In this widget code, we’ve invoked the Dropbox API to list file request folders by constructing and passing the required data along with the connection we had established for Dropbox.
  • The API will be invoked and return all of the file request folders in the task details right panel, from which users can click on the link and directly upload files to Dropbox from within a task in Zoho Projects itself.
Sample output
  • Once the code is setup, publish and install the extension to check the functionality in the Zoho Projects portal.
  • Enter a task and click the extensions icon in the right panel.

  • From the lists of your Dropbox file requests, select the requests to which you wish to upload files.

  • The file will be successfully uploaded in the respective Dropbox file request.


We’ve demonstrated how to upload files directly to Dropbox file request folders from within Zoho Projects in this example. As part of your extension, you can use the Connections feature to do a variety of tasks, some of which are highlighted below.
  • View and update files associated with a certain request.
  • Create Dropbox folders and share them with collaborators.

Connections, therefore serves as a powerful tool that assists you in establishing a connection with other apps and performing smooth data transactions across your applications, thereby improving business functions and optimizing your work.

We hope this information was useful to you. Continue to follow us for further updates!

Sign up for a Zoho Developer account and start developing extensions for Zoho products using Sigma.

SEE ALSO


Next>>

    • Recent Topics

    • Item cost price - How to accomodate changing cost prices

      I am in urgent need of assistance with how to accommodate changing cost prices for items, not manually. We import items so their landed cost is always changing. This cost is NOT reflected however in the item cost price. This is going to cause us some

    • Marketer's Space: Targeted messaging : Leveraging Zoho Campaigns for Effective Communication

      Hello Marketers, Welcome back to Marketers’ Space! Targeted messaging ensures your communication reaches the right audience - boosting engagement, conversions, and overall campaign success. In this post, we’ll be looking at targeted messaging to create

    • :between: conditions in search?criteria

      Hello, please help solve problem I try to select deals by Creater_Time between dates i send this GET request /crm/v4/deals/search?criteria=(Created_Time:between:(2024-02-01T18:52:56,24-02-17T18:52:56)) encoded to /crm/v4/deals/search?criteria=%28Created_Time%3Abetween%3A%282024-02-01T18%3A52%3A56%2C24-02-17T18%3A52%3A56%29%29

    • Zoho Creator : Updating Records via Import. Can't use Autonumber or ZohoRecordID ?

      Hi, I am trying to use the function to update a report with an import. I'm running in to the error : "unable to update because the form has no column with unique values" In the release notes it says Only field with unique values can be used to compare

    • 💡 Feature Request: Custom App Bundle Plan (Pick Only the Apps You Need)

      Request: Allow Users to Build a Custom App Bundle (Choose Only the Apps They Need) Hi Zoho Team, I appreciate the value that Zoho One and the Plus Bundles (CRM Plus, Finance Plus, etc.) offer. However, I’m finding it difficult to get the best fit for

    • Search Feature Now Broken

      I have many hundreds of notes on Zoho Notebook but now when I search for a keyword, I only get 30 results maximum. This is unacceptable and yet another feature that has become broken on this quickly deteriorating software. Please fix immediately.

    • Restrict Zoho One Account Notifications to Admins

      Hi Zoho One Team, I hope you're doing well. We recently noticed that end users are receiving administrative pop-ups in Zoho One, such as the DKIM configuration notice (screenshot attached). This type of notification is only relevant to administrators

    • Experience effortless record management in CRM For Everyone with the all-new Grid View!

      Hello Everyone, Hope you are well! As part of our ongoing series of feature announcements for Zoho CRM For Everyone, we’re excited to bring you another type of module view : Grid View. In addition to Kanban view, List view, Canvas view, Chart view and

    • Automated Checkout

      Hi Team, I’m trying to create an automated checkout function in Zoho People. My requirement is that if an employee forgets to check out, the system should automatically check them out after 10 hours. However, I'm encountering an error while updating the

    • Zoho CRM Community Digest - June 2025 | Part 1

      **We offer both video and written formats, take your pick and jump in.** CRM FOMO is real. You could be doing everything right and still miss the beat. That’s where we come in. Zoho CRM Community Digest! Every two weeks, we bring you the insider scoop

    • Introducing Video Tutorials for the Zoho FSM Mobile App

      We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new video tutorials for the Zoho FSM Mobile App—designed painstakingly to help your field agents get up to speed in no time! Whether you're brand new to the Zoho FSM mobile app or just need a quick refresher,

    • Zoho People > Managed People > User Access Control

      Hello All I need your recommendation on how should i go about setting the User Access Control in my Zoho People

    • What happened to the tabs in the ribbon on the top in my CRM?

      Hi, This morning all of the tabs (modules) in the ribbon on top are no longer showing up. I had the modules in the ribbon in a specific order for easy, one-click access. Now it's only showing the active tab and the rest are hiding under the three dots

    • Connect to Australian bank

      How do I connect to an Australian bank. No Australian bank shows up in my list. I think its because the service provider is Token and not Yodlee. How do I change this?

    • Searching for content within courses

      Hello, I have been testing out Zoho One for my company have been exploring Learn. I've noticed that you cannot search for content within a course. You can only locate the title of the course. Example: Course: How to Make Your Bed Chapter: Pillows Lesson:

    • Citations Problem

      I'm having an odd problem with the "Add Citations" feature of Zoho Writer. When I add a citation using the "Fetch website details online" feature it works the first time I use it but if I try it a second time by clicking that link nothing at all happens

    • Zoho People Leave Balance Show as Negative

      Hi All I have the Portugal material Leave that policy allows up to 120 days or 150days for employee to apply within 365 days and employees is able to take minimum of 1 days or up to 120 days In my Leave Grant I have set as the setting.

    • Zoho People > Performance > Appraisal > Mismatch between the template-configured module and the currently enabled module.

      Hello There When we enable the performance module there a prompt Mismatch between the template-configured module and the currently enabled module. How do we resolve this

    • Introducing WhatsApp integration in Bigin

      Greetings! In today's business landscape, messaging apps play a significant role in customer operations. Customers can engage with businesses, seek support, ask questions, receive personalized recommendations, read reviews, and even make purchases—all

    • Zoho People Leave Application Module Error: Leave balance has exceeded as on 09-07-2025.

      Dear All I need to check how do i resolve the issue of Error: Leave balance has exceeded as on 09-07-2025. All my leave have this issue

    • Power of Automation:: Daily Time log summary broadcast to Zoho Cliq using Schedule Custom Functions

      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:

    • When Calls Ends, Creating Note with the call description by deluge code

      Hi, i need help with writing deluge code function, to scenario is like this - i want to create a workflow thats after 10 that the call ends the deluge function will create a new note in module calls that link the note in module calls to the his lead ticket

    • Default Memo from Custom Field (from Bill) when Paying with Check

      Hi, we are using "Pay via Check" option to pay for our Bills in Zoho Books. I would like the memo on the check to pull directly from one of the custom field values within the Bill. Is there any way I can do this? The memo that I need is already on the

    • Wouldn't it be great to have an option to schedule sending emails in Zoho mail? Schedule send feature request

      The subject says it all - but just to clarify: This is to request a new feature that would allow users to schedule the delivery of an email for a given date & time. In small companies it is quite common to work unsocial hours on customer emails. But some

    • Static vs Standard Subforms - New Feature; But how does it work?

      I've just noticed that we now have the option of static or standard subforms, but I can't find any posts on the new feature. So, how does the new subform type work?

    • 【Zoho CRM】翻訳機能のアップデート

      ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から、翻訳機能のアップデートをご紹介します。 翻訳機能が拡張され、Webタブ、レイアウト、セクション、ウィザード、ウィザード画面、セグメントも翻訳できるようになりました。 翻訳をエクスポートする際に、これらの要素に対応する用語もエクスポート先の言語で追加されます。 ※過去の関連記事はこちらから まず、翻訳の設定画面から「エクスポート」を選択してください。すると、TXT形式のファイルがローカル環境に出力されます。

    • Trying to make zoho invoice have a button

      Hello I am getting this error with the code below. Anyone know how to fix? Check and update the code in line 5 as there is a Exception : Variable 'invoice_id' is not defined // Define Organization ID (Replace with your actual Zoho Invoice organization

    • Duplicate Contacts - how to get merge or delete

      I have noticed that our list of contacts in Zoho Desk duplicates contacts periodically. I have yet to identify when or why. How do I merge or delete them? I see there is a "Deduplicate" but I am unable to find anything that explains this feature.

    • Another nightmare experience with a "Zoho Partner": Cloud Z Technologies

      I found "CloudZTech" on fiverr and I hired them to do a simple $300-$500 task. They did not deliver on time and I was forced to fire them. You guys must watch out for these fake ZOHO PARTNERS, 99% of them don't have the expertise necessary to help. I

    • Pickup and delivery

      Some of our products are pickup only and some delivery. Is there a way of doing this in commerce. Plus we give volume discount to all customers. We handle this in Books using pricelist and range pricing. Is there a way of doing this within commerce.

    • Unable to change the "credentials of login user" option when creating a connection

      I want to create a new Desk connection where the parameter to use 'credentials of login user' is set to YES. I'm able to create a new connection but am never given the option to change this parameter. Is this a restriction of my user profile, and if so,

    • How can you train the Zia Bot for Desk

      I added the Zia bot to my portal, but it's rarely able to answer questions, even when I have dedicated articles for the question.  How can I best train it? Should I change the title of my articles, add more information inthe body copy?

    • Direct Download Link

      I saw how to share off a document to the public, which is great, but I was also wondering if there is a way to get a direct download link for a zoho doc. I would like to be able to simply send people my documents without them having to find download on the zoho page (not hard, but just for convenience)

    • Form responses to quote process

      Hello, so I am new to Zoho One. I'm fairly confident what I want to do can be done I just need guidance on how to accomplish it. I have a Zoho Form. When a customer fills out the form I want to generate a quote (that I will email to them, I do NOT want

    • i keep see there is a connetion issue connecting 3rd party api on zoho when using zia

      hi there , i have set up open ai api to zoho zia (copied and pasted to zoho zia) but I keep getting notificaiton "there is a connetion issue connecting 3rd party api on zoho" when using zia on top when click zia and try to type in word there

    • IPv6 MX Support in 2025

      There are multiple discussion on this community on IPv6 adjacent issues though the most pressing issue for IPv6 support is not solved yet the support team seems to not understand what is the issue and is steering the conversation to the wrong and misleading

    • Zoho Books Quote - Client cannot accept quote

      We are using the Zoho One plan and some of our clients have reported that they cannot accept the quote when we select their email at the bottom to send the quote to. When trying to accept, the quote prompts a message saying "You are not allowed to accept

    • Reckon Accounts Hosted to Zoho Finance

      Hi Everyone I want to transition from Reckon Accounts Hosted to Zoho Finance, as I have numerous other tasks in Zoho One, and it seems logical to make the move. (Reckon has a QuickBooks back end & is hosted on Assure now, think) I would really like to

    • Flex Your Creativity – A New component to Canvas in Zoho CRM

      Hello Everyone We’re excited to introduce Flex, a new component for Canvas in Zoho CRM! Flex is here to give you greater control over how your data is displayed in your layouts. This component enables responsive layouts that adapt across different screen

    • Vendor Assignment issue for staff in User Roales

      there is a limitation in software that we can't assing Vendors to our staff - we can only assign Customers on staff wise!! There is a limitation of this software that in case i want to assign limited vendors to my staff - it's not possible. Either i will

    • Next Page