Zoho Creator to Zoho Writer for prefilled documents...

Zoho Creator to Zoho Writer for prefilled documents...

In response to the question about connecting Zoho Creator to Zoho Writer for prefilled documents, I wanted to share a working implementation that demonstrates how to use the record_id parameter with the Zoho Writer Merge API. This allows Writer to automatically fetch data from your Creator record without manually building the merge data map. The Solution According to the official Merge and Sign documentation, instead of using merge_data, you can pass the record_id and Writer will fetch the data internally:
Key Insight: This approach is applicable only for Zoho CRM, Creator, Recruit and Bigin templates. When you pass the record_id parameter, Zoho Writer automatically retrieves the field values from your Creator record - no need to manually construct a merge data map.
Working Script Example

Here's a complete Deluge function that demonstrates using the Creator record ID with the Merge and Sign API:

Pro Tip: When configuring your merge template in Writer, you'll connect it to a Creator report as the data source. If you trigger a merge manually within Writer, all fields will populate correctly. However, when triggered via the Merge API, Writer uses the Creator Get Record by ID API to fetch data from your report — this means any fields not included in the connected Creator report will return empty in the merged document. Ensure all fields you need are present in the Creator report before using the API.
void zWriterSign.sendForSigning(Form_Name fnRecord)
{
    //fetch employee record
    eeRecord = Employee[ID = fnRecord.Employee_Lookup];
    //
    //Writer template ID (found in document URL)
    templateId = "dfd8f76sf0dfdfeb8974ifcx9873d9876d8s03";
    //
    //Use the Creator record ID - Writer will fetch the data automatically
    recordId = fnRecord.ID.toString();
    //
    param = Map();
    param.put("record_id",recordId);
    param.put("service_name","zohosign");
    param.put("filename",fnRecord.Field_Name);
    //
    //Build signer list
    signerList = List();
    //
    //First signer - approver
    signerObj1 = Map();
    signerObj1.put("recipient_1",ifnull(eeRecord.Email,"fallback@example.com"));
    signerObj1.put("action_type","approve");
    //approve|sign|view|in_person_sign
    signerObj1.put("language","en");
    signerList.add(signerObj1);
    //
    //Second signer - actual signer
    signerObj2 = Map();
    signerObj2.put("recipient_2",fnRecord.Signer_Email);
    signerObj2.put("action_type","sign");
    //approve|sign|view|in_person_sign
    signerObj2.put("language","en");
    signerList.add(signerObj2);
    //
    param.put("signer_data",signerList);
    param.put("sign_in_order","true");
    //
    //Optional: custom message
    if(!fnRecord.Custom_Message.isEmpty())
    {
        param.put("message",fnRecord.Custom_Message);
    }
    //
    //Optional parameters
    param.put("reminder_period","3");
    param.put("set_expire","7");
    param.put("test_mode",true);
    //
    //Execute the merge and sign request
    newSignMerge = invokeurl
    [
        url :"https://www.zohoapis.eu/writer/api/v1/documents/" + templateId + "/merge/sign"
        type :POST
        parameters:param
        connection:"zwritersign"
    ];
    //
    info newSignMerge;
}
Important: Data Center Considerations The API endpoint URL must match your Zoho data center. Using the wrong domain will result in authentication failures or data access issues.
Data Center Region API Domain
US United States https://www.zohoapis.com/writer/api/v1/...
EU Europe https://www.zohoapis.eu/writer/api/v1/...
IN India https://www.zohoapis.in/writer/api/v1/...
AU Australia https://www.zohoapis.com.au/writer/api/v1/...
JP Japan https://www.zohoapis.jp/writer/api/v1/...
CA Canada https://www.zohoapis.ca/writer/api/v1/...
CN China https://www.zohoapis.com.cn/writer/api/v1/...
How to determine your data center:
  • Log into your Zoho Creator application
  • Check the URL in your browser's address bar
  • If it shows creator.zoho.eu, use zohoapis.eu
  • If it shows creator.zoho.com, use zohoapis.com
  • Match the domain suffix accordingly for other regions
Prerequisites

Before using this API, ensure you have:

1. Template Access
Open your Writer template at least once from the Zoho Writer dashboard before sending API requests. Navigate to the hamburger menu → Automate tab.
2. OAuth Connection
Create a connection in Creator with the required scopes:
ZohoWriter.documentEditor.ALL
ZohoWriter.merge.ALL
ZohoSign.documents.ALL

Template Field Mapping:

Your Writer template merge fields must match your Creator form field names exactly. When using record_id, Writer automatically maps fields by their link names.

Available Merge API Endpoints The record_id approach works with multiple Writer Merge APIs:
API Endpoint Purpose
Merge and Sign /merge/sign Merge document and send for electronic signature via Zoho Sign
Merge and Email /merge/email Merge document and send as email attachment
Merge and Store /merge/store Merge document and save to Zoho WorkDrive
Merge Document /merge Merge and return download link (expires in 2 days)
Merge and Share Fillable /merge/sharetofill Generate pre-filled fillable links for data collection
Signer Configuration Options
//Available action types for signers:
signerObj.put("action_type","sign");        //Requires signature
signerObj.put("action_type","approve");     //Approval only, no signature
signerObj.put("action_type","view");        //View only access
signerObj.put("action_type","in_person_sign"); //In-person signing

//Optional: Specify recipient name
signerObj.put("recipient_name","John Smith");

//Optional: Add private notes to signer
signerObj.put("private_notes","Please review section 3 carefully");

//Optional: Alternative delivery methods
deliveryType = Map();
deliveryType.put("type","sms");             //or "whatsapp"
deliveryType.put("countrycode","+1");
deliveryType.put("phonenumber","5551234567");
signerObj.put("delivery_type",{deliveryType});
Common Issues and Solutions
Issue Cause Solution
"Invalid merge data" error Record ID not found or wrong format Ensure record_id is passed as a string using .toString()
Empty merge fields Field name mismatch between Creator and Writer Verify template merge field names match Creator field link names exactly
Authentication failure Wrong data center domain Match API domain to your account's data center
"Template not accessible" error Template not opened in Writer UI Open template once from Writer dashboard → Automate tab
Connection scope error Missing OAuth scopes Regenerate connection with all required scopes listed above
Pro Tip: Use param.put("test_mode",true); during development. This allows you to test the merge without consuming Zoho Sign credits (though the output will contain a watermark). Remove this parameter for production use.


      Zoho Campaigns Resources


        • Desk Community Learning Series


        • Digest


        • Functions


        • Meetups


        • Kbase


        • Resources


        • Glossary


        • Desk Marketplace


        • MVP Corner


        • Word of the Day


        • Ask the Experts


          Zoho CRM Plus Resources

            Zoho Books Resources


              Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                Zoho Projects Resources


                  Zoho Sprints Resources


                    Zoho Orchestly Resources


                      Zoho Creator Resources


                        Zoho WorkDrive Resources



                          Zoho CRM Resources

                          • CRM Community Learning Series

                            CRM Community Learning Series


                          • Tips

                            Tips

                          • Functions

                            Functions

                          • Meetups

                            Meetups

                          • Kbase

                            Kbase

                          • Resources

                            Resources

                          • Digest

                            Digest

                          • CRM Marketplace

                            CRM Marketplace

                          • MVP Corner

                            MVP Corner




                            Zoho Writer Writer

                            Get Started. Write Away!

                            Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                              Zoho CRM コンテンツ



                                ご検討中の方

                                  • Recent Topics

                                  • Zoho CRM Android app updates: Kiosk and multiple file upload support for subforms

                                    Hello everyone, We've rolled out new enhancements to the Zoho CRM Android app to bring better mobile CRM experience and efficiency. Let's take a quick look at what's new: Kiosk Multiple file uploads for subforms Kiosk Kiosk is a no-code tool in Zoho CRM
                                  • Alerts for mentions in comments

                                    We are testing the use of Writer internally and found that when a user is mentioned in a comment, there is no email alert for the mention. Is this something that's configurable, and if so, where can we enable this option?
                                  • Zoho Mail Android app update: Manage folders

                                    Hello everyone! In the latest version(v2.9) of the Zoho Mail Android app update, we have brought in support for an option to manage folders. You can now create, edit, and delete folders from within the mobile app. You can also manage folders for the POP
                                  • validation rules doesn't work in Blueprint when it is validated using function?

                                    I have tried to create a validation rule in the deal module. it works if I try to create a deal manually or if I try to update the empty field inside a deal. but when I try to update the field via the blueprint mandatory field, it seems the validation
                                  • Get Zoho Mail API working (including DRE Connector, Oauth Token, ZUID, ZOID & ACCOUNT_ID)

                                    Disclaimer: I’m not a professional coder! Do you need to use Zoho Mail API? Me too. It lets you do all sorts of things — like reading the complete header of an email, or forwarding an email with its attachments — which is what I wanted to do. But setting
                                  • Revenue Deferrals

                                    Does ZOHO books and subscriptions handle Revenue Deferrals?   
                                  • Can I make a website open inside Zoho whenever I log in?

                                    Hi Zoho Team, Every day, I check a few websites for updates, for example, Rojgar--result, where I see the latest government job results and notifications. I was wondering if there’s any option in Zoho to make a website like that open inside Zoho whenever
                                  • Kaizen #214 - Workflow APIs - Part 2

                                    Welcome back to another week of Kaizen! Last week, we discussed how Zylker Cloud Services used the Workflow APIs to discover and audit all the automations in their CRM, listing every workflow, checking triggers, and understanding their automation limits.
                                  • Zoho CRM Community Digest - September 2025 | Part 1

                                    Hello Everyone! September's Here! Before we jump into product updates, and community highlights, here's a quick spotlight! Zoho has launched a Professional Sales Rep Certification course on Coursera, tailored for sales professionals to strengthen their
                                  • Upload my theme.

                                    Hello. I would like to upload my own theme, this one: https://themeforest.net/item/panagea-travel-and-tours-listings-template/21957086 Is it compatible and where I upload it? If not I will hire a developer, what do I have to ask when I search for one?
                                  • Product Updates in Zoho Workplace applications | September 2025

                                    Hello Workplace Community, Let’s take a look at the new features and enhancements that went live across all Workplace applications this September. Zoho Mail Attach email as EML file in Compose Effortlessly attach emails as EML file in Compose by simply
                                  • Vehicle Tracking

                                    we have GPS devices that installed on our vehicles, and we would like to know if it's possible to  get vehicle live location data from the GPS device To Zoho Creator App.   Thank You
                                  • 🤝 Rencontres, partage et inspiration au Zoho Community Meetup de novembre

                                    Chers utilisateurs, Bonne nouvelle 🎉 : notre Meetup Zoho Community approche, et nous serions ravis de vous y voir ! 📍 Toulouse : le 25 novembre 📍 Lyon : le 27 novembre (🎯 Il ne reste que quelques places !) Que vous soyez débutant ou utilisateur avancé,
                                  • Need Help Mapping GST Registration Number Field Between Zoho Books & Zoho CRM + Slow Sync Issues

                                    am facing an issue with field mapping between Zoho Books and Zoho CRM. I want to map the GST Registration Number field from the Customer module in Zoho Books to a custom GST field inside the Accounts module in Zoho CRM. However, I am getting a warning
                                  • Notification received when self-assigning tickets

                                    When I assign tickets in Zoho Desk the relevant agent gets a notification email. When assigning myself a ticket in Zoho Desk, I get a notification email. Now, as I am the person who assigned the ticket to myself, getting a notification in this regard
                                  • Nouveauté dans Zoho Writer - Création de documents et de modèles assistée par l'IA

                                    Zia, l’assistant IA de Zoho Writer, soutient les utilisateurs dans l’amélioration de leur écriture et la création de contenus : correction orthographique et grammaticale en temps réel, suggestions adaptées au contexte, détection du plagiat, révisions
                                  • Session Expired

                                    I constantly get "Session Expired" and need to relogin or close and open the application again. This gets really frustrating during the day. Is this something that can be solved? This really makes me want to leave the app as it is no go to need to reopen
                                  • Disable Buttons for Users with Profiles without permission

                                    Hey, I've noticed that users without permission of setting up things in the marketplace, can still see the icon: On a click, you see this: It would be way better, if they couldn't see this menu icon at all. (Aside from the fact that it completely misplaced
                                  • Zoho Analytics - Make text clickable in underlying data

                                    Hi Community, I have a simple sales report based on a Invoice query table. I have included a link on to each invoice on the table and sent the Invoice number URL to the link. This works find in the query table, but when I click underlying data on the
                                  • Credit Management: #5 Advanced Refund Policy

                                    You're subscribed to a well-known SaaS design tool. You've used it to manage your team's projects, create marketing visuals, brochures, and so on. But your needs change over time. Your company may switch to another tool or hire an in-house designer who
                                  • Exported Slide Image Lacks Portion of the Background Image

                                    This does not always happen, but when I export (or "download") the rendered image of a slide, it sometimes lacks a portion of the background image. I created a sample slide deck to demonstrate it and shared it with the admins. It is also publicly available
                                  • Effective Inbox Organization: Folders vs Tags in Zoho Mail?

                                    I'm exploring the best ways to organize a busy inbox, especially when managing multiple clients or project using Zoho Mail. I’d love to know what works best for others: 1. Do you prefer **folders** (possibly with sub-folders) for each client or project?
                                  • Piss poor service in Support in Domains and email

                                    Srijith Narayanan B contacted me today. Very pleasant fellow. Just didn't want to tell him how bad your support service is. You help the person, but you leave before we can finish the next stage. Which causes a lot of frustration. It's been 8 days now
                                  • Zoho Mail android app update: Block & reject future emails, Report phishing, Spam alerts, Suspicious URL detection

                                    Hello everyone! In the most recent Zoho Mail Android app update, we have brought in support for the following features: Block & reject future emails Report Phishing Spam alerts in the mail details screen. Suspicious URL detection. Block & reject future
                                  • Zohomail does not support additional fields in mailto links

                                    Hello, I set up Zohomail as default composer in Firefox according to manual here: https://www.zoho.com/mail/help/defaultcomposer.html#alink2 Later, I wanted to use this functionality to answer in a Linux mailing list thread using mailto link: mailto:xxxxx@kernel.org?In-Reply-To=%3C727o0521-q24p-s0qq-66n0-sn436rpqqr1p@example.com%3E&Cc=xxxxx%example.org&Subject=Re%3A%20%5BPATCH%20v2%28%29
                                  • Email address for forwarding is not saving and there's no confirmation ema

                                    Steps to reproduce: 1. Enter my forward email in the email forward section of the account 2. Click save 3. See a notification stating saved successfully 4. Refresh the page, no forward email is saved 5. No email confirmation received at the forwarding
                                  • This domain is not allowed to add in Zoho. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details

                                    This is the error i keep getting when trying to use my Zoho Domain Mail. This domain is not allowed to add in Zoho. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details Find attached. I hope this can be resolved very quickly so i can go on and make
                                  • Auto CC - Moving Departments

                                    We have Auto CC e-mail replies to your support mailbox enabled. We have two departments: Helpdesk (helpdesk@domain.com) Delivery (delivery@domain.com) If we create a Helpdesk ticket, and reply, replies are CC'd to helpdesk@domain.com (OK) We then move
                                  • Unable to see free plan option

                                    Hello Zoho Support Team, I hope you are doing well. I am trying to sign up for Zoho Mail, but I am unable to see the option for the free plan. Could you please guide me on how I can access or activate the free plan? Thank you for your assistance.
                                  • Sorten the domain of zoho mail ids

                                    I recently created zoho mail id and am quite excited with the features. But one issue ig nobody wanna type this big zohoaccounts.com I mean silly bold Suggestion zmail.com (sound gmail) (attraction) or some genz words looks cool
                                  • Weekly Tips : Customize your Zoho Mail Notifications

                                    In a professional context, email communication remains one of the most crucial channels for staying connected and managing workflows. Keeping track of your emails, task updates, or important announcements can be overwhelming—especially if you are juggling
                                  • The attendees will now be redirected to the landing webpage when they exit the webinar, set by the organizer.

                                    Hello All, In the latest version of the Zoho Meeting iOS mobile app (v1.3.16), we have brought in the below enhancements:   Post Webinar Re-direction Revamped exit UI for Webinar Post Webinar Re-direction:  The attendees will now be redirected to the
                                  • 550-5.1.1 The email account that you tried to reach does not exist

                                    Hi, I made sure my domain, SPF, MX records, and DKIM are all verified. I've entered the information correctly in cPanel and Email Routing is set to Remote Mail Exchanger. I am able to send, but unable to receive emails. When I sent a test reply to it, I get the following error: The response was: 550-5.1.1 The email account that you tried to reach does not exist. Please try 550-5.1.1 double-checking the recipient's email address for typos or 550-5.1.1 unnecessary spaces. Learn more at 550 5.1.1 https://support.google.com/mail/?p=NoSuchUser
                                  • Download API file contents from browser

                                    Hi Team - is there something being planned to be able to trigger file downloads from the browser via a deluge script? i.e. retrieve a file via API, trigger the file download directly from the browser. Or... using the convertToPdf function (https://www.zoho.com/deluge/help/functions/file/convert-to-pdf.html)
                                  • When using "locations" in zoho books, can you keep the two locations totally separate from each other?

                                    I am looking to add a location but I don't want to intermingle the banking or other accounts. I want that to be like two separate independent branches that use different banking accounts, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. The people who are in
                                  • Adding a Channel to SalesIQ

                                    I have a client that currently uses Zoho CRM and Zoho Desk. They would like a live chat to place on their website that has a mobile app and chat bots (something like SalesIQ). However, they would also like to have all this work over SMS as well. Does the SalesIQ API allow this? Can I add visitors without them being a visitor on a website? Thanks! Bryan Redeagle
                                  • Zoho Flow Needs to Embrace AI Agent Protocols to Stay Competitive

                                    Zoho Flow has long been a reliable platform for automating workflows and integrating various applications. However, in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven automation, it risks falling behind competitors like n8n, which are pioneering advancements
                                  • Important Features Missing

                                    Hey all I love linkthread, but i am missing some important features. I want to be able to include my Google Tag Manager. I have all the important stuff in my GTM Container: Facebook Pixel, LinkIn Pixel, Zoho Pagesense and so on. So i am able to do retargeting
                                  • Zoho SignForms: Prefill parameters with spaces render as “+” in the document (even when using %20)

                                    Hello Zoho Sign team, we are using SignForms with prefill parameters passed via URL. Spaces in parameter values are being rendered as “+” in the finalized document—even when we URL-encode spaces as %20. This is critical for us because we prefill addresses
                                  • Currency selector (based on variable) usage in comparsion

                                    Hi, I've developed a currency selector based on the following topic, and it's working well in pivot tables and charts: https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/how-can-i-allow-my-users-to-choose-a-currency-for-the-dashboard I also have a comparison
                                  • Next Page