Zoho Creator Upcoming Updates — March 2024

Hello all!

Zoho Creator remains committed to enhancing your productivity and efficiency, and this month's update reflects that dedication. Here are the improvements coming your way this month!

Voluminous data processing using batch workflows
Importing Figma designs as widgets
Device type Deluge variable
Screen Record by Quartz on mobile
Image rendering enhancements

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Voluminous data processing using batch workflows

We're excited to announce the launch of Batch Workflows, a powerful feature to help process large sets of data by splitting them into batches and processing them at off-peak hours, ensuring that the performance of other workflows remains unaffected.

Use case

Consider an organization that issues credit cards. They can use batch workflows to generate and send statements on the 1st of every month. Further, they can utilize variables for dynamic calculations, like total bill amounts. Upon successful execution, the monthly statements can then be sent via email.

How will it work?

Once the feature has been rolled out, you'll see a Batch Workflows option under the Workflows section.

When creating a new batch workflow, you can choose the form which it should be based on and the event when it should be triggered. It can either be on a specific date and time or upon successful import.
Next, under the Execution Configuration section, you write a Deluge script that is executed for each batch block. You can also choose to split the bulk records into smaller batches of 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 (default).
Then, you'll be shown the Before and After section, where you can specify the actions to be triggered before and after the execution of the above Deluge script.

The batch workflow processes tasks in batches during off-peak hours, such as at the end of the day or overnight, optimizing computing resource utilization. The progress of the workflow can be tracked in the Logs section under Application Settings.

Business value

Batch workflows streamline repetitive jobs, automate tasks, and enhance operational efficiency, resulting in increased productivity for your organization.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs
Released on: 15-Apr-24
Reference: Understand Batch Workflows

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Importing Figma designs as widgets

We'll be taking our widgets to the next level by bringing significant enhancements, allowing you to harness the power of Figma to create more visually appealing widgets. As of now, you can only create widgets by providing a .zip file containing HTML. However, in an upcoming update, you'll have the option to import directly from Figma by providing the Figma frame link and Figma access token.

Additionally, in order to make the widgets interactive, we've also introduced a range of syntaxes, like text elements, rating fields, range sliders, tabs, and more. These can used while designing your widgets in Figma. For example, the syntax "zc_input?linkname=<fieldlinkname>" can be used to render the text element as an input box.

For more information, visit our Zoho Creator - Widgets Kit help doc.

How does it work?

While creating a widget you'll see a new option: Import from Figma.
Then just provide the required information about your Figma design.

Business value

This empowers you to unleash your creativity by leveraging Figma to build attractive and engaging designs and then seamlessly import them as widgets.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs
Reference: Create a widget from Figma

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Screen Record by Quartz on mobile

Screen Record powered by Quartz is a feature that facilitates screen recording of issues and communication with our support team. With help from the detailed diagnostics it provides, our support team has been able to effectively reduce overall ticket turnaround time. We're delighted to announce that we'll also be rolling out the Screen Record feature to our iOS and Android apps too!

How will it work?

We plan on introducing a new section called Support under the Settings pane of the mobile apps, with two options: Support & Feedback and Screen Record.

From there, the process is nearly the same as for the web version. You can record the issue, add annotations, mask sensitive information, and much more.

Business value

Building on the success of Screen Record in enhancing the support experience on the web, we aim to achieve the same with our mobile apps too.

Applicable for: iOS and Android

Availability: All DCs

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Device type Deluge variable

We'll be introducing a new device type Deluge variable, capable of detecting device types—be it mobile, tablet, or website. Based on the value returned by this variable, you can customize Creator for different devices and open up numerous opportunities, specifically ZML page design and report criteria adjustments. For example, you'll be able to hide specific fields on mobile or tablet devices, to prevent UI breakage from lengthy fields.

Syntax

info zoho.device.type; //returns 'web' or 'phone' or 'tablet'

Use case

Consider a customer support application built on Creator. Leveraging the device type variable, the system can identify the user's access device—be it a web browser, mobile phone, or tablet. For example, for users accessing the app via a web browser, notifications can be directed through email, while those using mobile or tablet devices can receive notifications via SMS.

Business value

This Deluge function offers you the flexibility to further customize Creator for different device types, tailoring its functionality to cater to each specific device.

Applicable for: C5,C6

Availability: All DCs
Released on: 22-Apr-24
Reference: System Variables

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Image rendering enhancements

We'll soon be coming out with backend enhancements aimed at refining the rendering of uploaded images. Currently, image compression takes place synchronously during uploads. However, we're transitioning this process to an asynchronous method to bolster performance and efficiency.

Who does it benefit?
This enhancement will be highly useful for users who access different qualities of uploaded images via Deluge script.

Advantages

More supported formats: Deluge URLs will now offer three different quality options (low, medium, and download qualities) for additional image formats, such as tif, tiff, bmp, psd, webp, heic, gif, and svg, along with the currently supported jpeg and png formats.
Improved image previews: Users can now access different quality levels for images uploaded via web, as well as via APIs and mobile apps. The image previews will also be noticeably better, and this reduces report loading time.
Faster uploads: The transition to asynchronous compression facilitates faster image uploads, ensuring swift execution of the Add Record action.

Note:

These compressed copies are different from the Image Compression property, in which the original file will be compressed. Learn more
Due to this switch to asynchronous workflows, the compressed quality images will be accessed only upon the completion of the process. Till then, images available from on-success scripts will return in original quality.

Business value

These enhancements bring you improved format support, enhanced image previews, and faster uploads, with the aim of providing you with a smoother experience while working with Creator.

Applicable for: C5, C6

Availability: All DCs
Released on: 28-Mar-24
Reference: Understand image field

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That wraps up this month's updates. Don't forget to subscribe to our Release Notes to receive email notifications when these features are rolled out—and feel free to share your thoughts on these updates in the comments section below.

Regards,
The Zoho Creator Team

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