Zoho Creator Upcoming Updates — July 2023

Hello all!

We hope you’ve had a chance to check out the newly updated Product Roadmap, which now includes the new features coming up as part of our 2023 Projection 2. Our goal is to continually improve and add new features to our platform on a regular basis. As we continue down this path, we’re thrilled to share with you the latest news and progress. Let’s start with the highlights of this month!

Canvas builder
Page scripts and Page variables
PDF support for OCR AI model
Export users/portal users with permission details
Formatting options for numeric fields

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Now let’s take a closer look at each of this month’s updates:

Canvas builder

We're excited to announce our all-new canvas builder, which will revolutionize the customization of the detail views of reports, and help you build beautiful and visually pleasing report layouts. With a feature-laden yet effortlessly easy-to-use drag and drop builder, the canvas builder will empower you to come up with fully functional and versatile reports with ease.

You can select any predesigned layout templates and customize them according to your requirements, or create your own design template from scratch with the help of design tools. All you need to do is simply drag and drop the required elements onto your canvas, customize them without breaking a sweat, and witness your vision come to life.

How to access it

Navigate to the required report, then to Detail View -> Custom Layout and click the Create New Layout option.

How do I benefit?

Canvas builder will help you come up with professional-looking designs in a fraction of the time, and ensures your users get a consistent and engaging user experience.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs

Released on: 01-Aug-2023

Reference: Understand canvas layout designer

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Page scripts and page variables

To give you more flexibility while building pages, we're introducing page scripts and page variables.

Page scripts: These are essentially Deluge workflows for pages, and are pretty similar to on load form workflows. You can use the familiar Deluge builder to write your own custom scripts and store values as page variables and use them across various page components, such as panels, charts, and gauges.

Page variables: These are a step up from the existing page parameters, because their data type definition makes it easier to handle errors and manage references. Plus, you can use custom logic in page scripts to edit and manipulate variables.

How to access it

Go to the page builder and click the Page Variables and Scripts button.
Use the labels at the top of the pane to switch between the Scripts and Variables sections.

How do I benefit?

Page scripts and variables allow you to add computational power to visual elements within pages. This will be a valuable asset in the development of attractive pages that improve user experience.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs
Released on: 18-Aug-23
Reference: Page variables and script

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PDF support for OCR AI model

Our OCR AI models (both prebuilt and custom) will now support files in PDF format. Going forward, our OCR will be able to quickly scan PDF files (such as invoices, quotes, and estimates), extract text, and save it in the appropriate fields, as specified by you. PDF files are often multi-page documents, and our AI can now do the heavy lifting for you. This intelligent document processing will save you a lot of time and allow you to focus on more important tasks.

How to configure it

In the same manner as you currently set up an OCR model (see how), but instead of an image field, a file upload field should be used as the model input to upload your PDF.

How do I benefit?

Extending our optical character recognition (OCR) model to include PDF files introduces a whole new set of document management capabilities for your business.

Applicable for: C6

Availability: All DCs
Released on: 21-Aug-23
Reference: Understand OCR model

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Export users/portal users with permission details

We'll be launching significant improvements to the export users and export portal users options. Going forward, you’ll see Application level alongside the existing option, renamed to Account level. After selecting this option, you can select the desired application from the drop-down menu. The exported file using this option will include the user’s email address, along with their roles and permissions for that application.

How to access it

Just like you currently export users, Users -> More -> Export Users, but the Export users pane will be revamped as shown below:

How do I benefit?

We aim to give you more control over the export users process, allowing you to download the exact data you require for analysis, auditing, compliance, and other purposes, by providing export options with permissions details and application filters for users and portal users.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs
Released on: 27-Jul-23

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Formatting options for numeric fields

As with the currency field we will be introducing a new section named Display format in number and decimal fields, to allow you to display the data in your desired format. With this new formatting option, we aim to make it easier to read the numbers in your app and meet the needs of different user groups. It's especially useful for number fields that include currency values, so you can show the exact amount of money based on different regions' preferences.

Where do I find them?

Navigate to the form builder and drag and drop a number or decimal field.
In the Field properties pane, select the desired format from the drop-down menu under Display Format.

How do I benefit?

The new formatting option will improve the readability of numeric data in your application and also fulfil regional preferences and industry-specific requirements.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs

Released on: 14-Aug-23

Reference: Set display format for Number field and Set display format for Decimal field

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That's it from us for this month. Thank you for your continued support, and we’ll be back next month with more exciting updates!

Regards,

Zoho Creator Team

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