Kaizen #197: Frequently Asked Questions on GraphQL APIs

Kaizen #197: Frequently Asked Questions on GraphQL APIs

🎊 Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – We want to hear from you!
Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone. 

Hi all,
Hello and welcome to another week of Kaizen!
In this post, we will be discussing Frequently Asked Questions on Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs.  GraphQL is a query language that provides a more flexible and efficient way to access data and metadata within your Zoho CRM organization. 

Why should I try GraphQL APIs?

 Using GraphQL with Zoho CRM allows you to fetch exactly the data you need in a single request, reducing over-fetching and under-fetching. It also enables you to combine multiple operations in one request, which can improve performance and reduce network overhead.

How do I authorize GraphQL requests?

Similar to Zoho CRM REST APIs, GraphQL APIs use OAuth 2.0 for authorization.
For self-clients, you can use the self-client option in the API console to get an authorization grant code. This code can be exchanged for an access token and a refresh token. Once you receive the access token, send the token in your HTTP authorization header with the value "Zoho-oauthtoken {access_token}" for each request. Check out our Postman collection for GraphQL APIs for examples.

Are GraphQL APIs available for all Zoho CRM editions?

GraphQL APIs are available in Enterprise, Zoho One Enterprise, CRM Plus and Ultimate edition of Zoho CRM. Note that it is not available in any trial editions.

What is the difference between REST APIs and GraphQL APIs?

REST APIs let clients talk to servers using standard HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE. Instead of fetching a fixed dataset like with REST, GraphQL APIs allows you to ask for precisely the data you want. We have covered this topic in detail in our previous Kaizen post that compares REST APIs and GraphQL APIs

Do I need to do any initial setup to start using GraphQL APIs?

To start using GraphQL APIs, you have to enable GraphQL APIs for your Zoho CRM profile through the enable GraphQL API call. 
  • Request URL : {api-domain}/crm/graphql/actions/enable
  • Method : POST
  • Scope: ZohoCRM.GraphQL.UPDATE
This API call generates the GraphQL schema. GraphQL schema defines the capabilities of a server, the data it contains and the actions that can be done on it. Note that it is sufficient to invoke this API call once for each profile. 

What are the operations supported in Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs?

   Currently, Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs support only query operations. Query operation is analogous to the GET method in REST APIs.

How do I configure requests for Zoho CRM’s GraphQL APIs?

How do I write a basic query in GraphQL? 

The below query can be used to fetch Last_Name in Leads module.

Request body 

query {

    Records {

        Leads {_data {Last_Name {value}}}

    }

}

 

Output 

{"data":{"Records":{"Leads":{"_data":[

  {"Last_Name":{"value":"Kitzman"}},

  {"Last_Name":{"value":"Frey"}}

  // ...

]}}}}


What are the supported metadata types that can be fetched using GraphQL APIs?

Using GraphQL APIs you can fetch metadata from Modules, Users, KanbanView, UserProperties, ProfilePermissions, Profiles, Roles, and Widgets

Can I fetch metadata and data of a particular module in a single query using GraphQL APIs?

Yes, using GraphQL it is possible to fetch both metadata and data in a single query. 
 For example, the below query can be used to fetch Last_Name from Leads module and metadata information of the Last_Name field in the Leads module.

Request body

{

  Records {

    Leads { _data { Last_Name { value } } }

  }

  Meta {

    Modules(filter: { api_name: "Leads" }) {

      _data {

        fields(filter: { api_names: "Last_Name" }) {

_data {

                        id

                        api_name

                        display_label

                        json_type

                        data_type

}}}}}}

 

 Output 

{

  "data": {

    "Records": {

      "Leads": {

        "_data": [

          { "Last_Name": { "value": "Kitzman" } },

          { "Last_Name": { "value": "Frey" } }

          // ...

        ]

      }

    },

    "Meta": {

      "Modules": {

        "_data": [

          {

            "fields": {

              "_data": [

                {

                  "id": "6660682000000002595",

                  "api_name": "Last_Name",

                  "display_label": "Last Name",

                  "json_type": "string",

                  "data_type": "text"

   }]}}]}}}}

 

We have covered this in detail in this Kaizen post: Using GraphQL APIs to fetch data in a consolidated way.

Are there any limits applicable for a GraphQL API query?

Yes, Zoho CRM imposes certain limits on the GraphQL API to ensure fair usage. 
  • Credits: A single query can consume up to a maximum of 10 credits
  • Complexity: Complexity is a measure of workload a query exerts on the server based on the number of fields and depth of the query. The maximum complexity allowed for a single query is 1000. 
  • Depth: The nesting level of a queried field is referred to as depth. The limit for metadata is seven, and for data is three.
Refer to the official documentation on GraphQL credits.

Is it possible to retrieve selective data using GraphQL APIs?

Records

You can use the where argument to filter records from each module.  Each field can support type specific operators and can be combined with Boolean logic and wildcards.

For example. to fetch Email, Last_Name, ID, Phone and Mobile of  contacts where last name starts with "Ni" and mobile contains the digit 5 or phone number equals 555-678-9999

Request body

{

  Records {

    Contacts(where: {

      and: [

        { Last_Name: { like: "Ni%" } },

        {

          or: [

            { Phone: { equals: "555-678-9999" } },

            { Mobile: { like: "%5%" } }

          ]

        }

      ]

    }) {

      _data {

        Email { value }

        Last_Name { value }

        id { value }

        Phone { value }

        Mobile { value }

  }}}}

 

Introspecting the GraphQL schema in Postman will reveal the details of fields and supported operators for each module. Check out our previous Kaizen, where we explained this using videos.

Metadata

You can use the filter argument to filter metadata resources.

For example, the query below fetches metadata of Deals module and api_name of its layouts and fields

Request body

query {

  Meta {

    Modules(filter: { api_name: "Deals" }) {

      _data {

        id

        singular_label

        plural_label

        layouts {

          _data {

            id

            api_name

          }

        }

        fields {

          _data {

            api_name

     }}}}}}

How do I paginate results in GraphQL?

In GraphQL, we use the offset and limit argument to paginate results.
You can use offset to fetch the next page of results by passing the value from your previous response, starting with null for the initial set.  For each page, the number of records has a limit: up to 100 records for root queries or 10 for nested data.
The value to be passed in offset is obtained by querying for previous_offset and next_offset inside _info object.

Is it possible to sort records in GraphQL? 

The order_by argument can be used to sort the response set after fetching records to ascending or descending order.

For example, the below query fetches the fields Deal_Name, Expected_Revenue, and Probability from Deals module in descending order of probability.


Request body

query {

  Records {

    Deals(order_by: { Probability: { order: DESC } }) {

      _data {

        Deal_Name { value }

        Expected_Revenue { value }

        Probability { value }

}}}}

When should I choose Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs over Zoho CRM REST APIs, and vice versa? 

Use Zoho CRM GraphQL APIs when:

  • You need to fetch complex, nested data from multiple resources (e.g., accounts with linked contacts and deals) in a single request and avoid under-fetching of required data/metadata.

  • You need to minimize over-fetching of data/metadata by selecting only specific resources, fields of the resources, and relationships of the resources.

  • You need to query data and metadata together efficiently. 

Use Zoho CRM REST APIs when :

  • You need to perform simple CRUD operations (e.g., fetch/update a single product).

  • Your use case involves straightforward endpoints without nested data/metadata.

  • You need to do add/update/delete operations.

We trust that this post addressed your doubts on GraphQL APIs. If you have any questions please let us know in the comment section or reach out to us at support@zohocrm.com.

    • Sticky Posts

    • Kaizen #198: Using Client Script for Custom Validation in Blueprint

      Nearing 200th Kaizen Post – 1 More to the Big Two-Oh-Oh! Do you have any questions, suggestions, or topics you would like us to cover in future posts? Your insights and suggestions help us shape future content and make this series better for everyone.

    • Kaizen #226: Using ZRC in Client Script

      Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. In today's post, lets see what is ZRC (Zoho Request Client) and how we can use ZRC methods in Client Script to get inputs from a Salesperson and update the Lead status with a single button click. In this

    • Kaizen #222 - Client Script Support for Notes Related List

      Hello everyone! Welcome to another week of Kaizen. The final Kaizen post of the year 2025 is here! With the new Client Script support for the Notes Related List, you can validate, enrich, and manage notes across modules. In this post, we’ll explore how

    • Kaizen #217 - Actions APIs : Tasks

      Welcome to another week of Kaizen! In last week's post we discussed Email Notifications APIs which act as the link between your Workflow automations and you. We have discussed how Zylker Cloud Services uses Email Notifications API in their custom dashboard.

    • Kaizen #216 - Actions APIs : Email Notifications

      Welcome to another week of Kaizen! For the last three weeks, we have been discussing Zylker's workflows. We successfully updated a dormant workflow, built a new one from the ground up and more. But our work is not finished—these automated processes are

    Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


      • Recent Topics

      • Ability to CC on a mass email

        Ability to CC someone on a mass email.

      • Get Cliq Meetings in my O365 calendar

        Hi, we are currently evaluating to replace the Teams Messaging and Meetings with Cliq. We currently still have all our email and calendars in O365. What i want to achieve is, to create a (ZOHO) meeting from Cliq and have this meeting added to my Outlook/O365

      • Custom Button to convert a Deal to a Custom Module?

        Hello Community I am in process of building out a custom CRM for my team and part of this is looking at building out a Custom Button or function of some sort where when a Deal is marked Closed Won the system will allow for a "Convert to Job" option to

      • Power up your Kiosk Studio with Real-Time Data Capture, Client Scripts & More!

        Hello Everyone, We’re thrilled to announce a powerful set of enhancements to Kiosk Studio in Zoho CRM. These new updates give you more flexibility, faster record handling, and real-time data capture, making your Kiosk flows smarter and more efficient

      • Emails Failing with “Relaying Issues – Mail Sending Blocked” in ZeptoMail

        Hello ZeptoMail Support Team, We are facing an email delivery issue in our ZeptoMail account where emails are failing with the status “Process failed” and the reason “Relaying issues – Mail sending blocked.” Issue Details Agent Name: mail_agent_iwwa From

      • Change eMail Template for Event-Invitations

        Hello ZOHO-CRM Team How I can change the eMail Template for Event-Invitations? I work with the German Version of the Free Version. I know how I can modify eMail alerts or Signature Templates, but where I can other eMails modify you send out? Thank you

      • Workdrive Oauth2 Token Isn't Refreshing

        I have set up oauth for a bunch of zoho apis and have never had a problem with oauth. With workdrive i am using the exact same template i usually use for the other zoho apps and it is not working. All requests will work for the first hour then stops so

      • How can I import OLM to Yandex Mail easily?

        For migrating Mac Outlook OLM data to Yandex Mail efficiently, the Aryson OLM Converter is a reliable professional tool that ensures complete data integrity throughout the process. Unlike manual methods, which can risk inconsistent formatting or missing

      • Introducing Radio Buttons and Numeric Range Sliders in Zoho CRM

        Release update: Currently out for CN, JP, AU and CA DCs (Free and standard editions). For other DCs, this will be released by mid-March. Hello everyone, We are pleased to share with you that Zoho CRM's Layout Editor now includes two new field formats—

      • Is it possible to setup bin locations WITHOUT mandating batch tracking?

        Hi fellow zoho users, I'm wondering if anyone else has a similar issue to me? I only have some products batch tracked (items with shelf life expiry dates) but I am trying to setup bin locations for my entire inventory so we can do stock counting easier.

      • Implementing Inventory Process

        I am just starting to create an inventory system through Zoho for a nonprofit. We receive in-kind donations of items for kids, and utilize them in 2 or 3 different programs. Then families come in and take the items. I'm thinking of this structure: Our

      • Best way to start zoho inventory with bulk openning stock

        We are already using zoho book since long time for cars trading company. Now to streamline more, would like to import the excel data of closing stock of inventory to zoho inventory and to start on. Since we need to track each VIN (unique vehicle id number)

      • Service Reports.

        Hello Team, I have a requirement to create multiple service reports for a single AP. That means, in one AP I have 5 service line items, and all line items are linked to assets. Once I complete the AP, I want to generate 5 individual service reports, one

      • Blueprint enhancements - Parallel and multiple transitions, and more

        Last modified on Sep 4, 2023: All Zoho CRM users can now access these enhancements. Initially, these features were available only on an early access basis and by request. However, as of August 2, 2023, they have been made available to all users in all

      • Item Bulk Edit - Allow for Reorder Level

        We're implementing a process for using the Reorder Level field for Items, and I have to go through and add this value to a huge chunk of our Items. It's driving me bonkers that I have to do this individually through the UI rather than bulk updating. It

      • Zoho CRM || Unable to Bulk Assignment of Territories for Contacts

        Dear Zoho CRM Support Team, I hope this email finds you well. We recently performed a bulk upload of Contacts into Zoho CRM using the official sample Excel template downloaded from the CRM. The upload itself was completed successfully; however, we encountered

      • What's New in Zoho Inventory | August – October 2025

        Hello customers, The last quarter has been incredibly productive! We've released a powerful slate of new features and enhancements in Zoho Inventory designed to give you better control, greater efficiency, and expanded functionality across your inventory

      • Disable Zoho Inventory Tracking / Delink Zoho Books & Inventory

        We have integrated zoho inventory with zoho books? Now after a long time, we want to disable inventory tracking and delink these 2 modules. Zoho says we cant do it. Anybody else going thru the same ? Any possibility at all? Why does zoho not allow to

      • Tracking Non-Inventory Items

        We have several business locations and currently use zoho inventory to track retail items (sales and purchase orders). We were hoping to use zoho inventory to track our non-inventory items as well (toilet paper, paper towels, etc). I understand that we

      • Price Managment

        I have been in discussions with Zoho for some time and not getting what I need. Maybe someone can help explain the logic behind this for me as I fail to understand. When creating an item, you input a sales rate and purchase rate. These rates are just

      • Set Warehouse based on Vendor

        Greetings. I would like to set automaticaly the Warehouse based on the Vendor. Context: I am working on an adaptation of a Purchase Order to be used as a Quotation. I have defined that when a user has to raise a quote the Vendor will be "PROCUREMENT" I would like to set the Warehouse to a predefined value when "PROCUREMENT" is set as Vendor. I have tried to do with the Automation feature using the Field Update option, but Warehouse does not is listed as a field. Can you help? Thanks in advance.

      • How to add interviews through API

        I'm trying to add an interview without much luck. The documentation gives examples of adding just about everything except an interview. However, the issue might be the way I'm formatting it, because the documentation is unclear to me. It seems as if the xml should be passed in the url, which seems unusual. I've tried the data as both plain and character escaped, but nothing seems to work, nor do I even get an error response. https://recruit.zoho.com/recruit/private/xml/Interviews/addRecords?authtoken=***&scope=recruitapi&version=2&xmlData=<Interviews> <row

      • Auto tagging

        Some of the articles I enter into Notebook get there when I enter them in Raindrop.io and IFTTT copies the articles in Notebook. When this happens the notes are tagged but instead of useful one word tags with topic the tag pertains to the specific article

      • How do I save audio files to my PC that I record into Zoho Notebook from my phone?

        I was thinking of using Zoho Notebook as a way to store composition ideas, as well as for other things if it can handle this. For this to be useful for me though, I need to be able to have an easy way to download those audio files to my PC, either individually

      • Search mails in shared mailbox

        Hi everyone, is there a way to search mails in shared mailbox's? Search in streams or mail doesn't return anything from mails in shared mailboxes. Thanks! Rafal

      • Kaizen #186 : Client Script Support for Subforms

        Hello everyone! Welcome back to another exciting Kaizen post on Client Script! In this edition, we’re taking a closer look at Client Script Support for Subforms with the help of the following scenario. " Zylker, a manufacturing company, uses the "Orders"

      • Writing SQL Queries - After Comma Auto Suggesting Column

        When writing SQL Queries, does anyone else get super annoyed that after you type a comma and try to return to a new line it is automatically suggest a new column, so hitting return just inputs this suggested column instead of going to a new line? Anyone

      • Introducing Multiple Sandbox Types and Support for Module's Data Population

        Register here for the upcoming Focus Group webinar on Multiple Sandbox | Help documentation to learn more about the new enhancements Hello everyone,  Sandbox in CRM is a testing environment for users to create and test new configurations like workflow

      • Convert invoice from zoho to xml with all details

        How to convert an Invoice to XML format with all details

      • Importing into the 'file upload' field

        Can you import attachments into the file upload field. I would expect it to work the same way as attachments do, But can't seem to get it to work.

      • Sync your Products Module for better context.

        In customer support, context is everything. The integration between Zoho Desk and Zoho CRM helps your sales and support teams function as one, delivering better customer experiences. With the latest update to this integration, you can now sync the Product module in your Zoho CRM with your Zoho Desk portal. This feature enables products from Zoho CRM to reflect in the "product" field in Zoho Desk. This can save your support team valuable time and effort.    Some things to note when syncing the two:

      • Where is the desktop app for Zoho Projects???

        As a project manager, I need a desktop app for the projects I manage. Yes, there's the web app, which is AWESOME for cross browser and platform compatibility... but I need a real desktop app for Projects that allow me to enter offline information where

      • CRM verify details pop-up

        Was there a UI change recently that involves the Verify Details pop-up when changing the Stage of a Deal to certain things? I can't for the life of me find a workflow or function, blueprint, validation rule, layout rule ect that would randomly make it

      • Does Zoho Writer have Dropdowns

        I want to add a drop down field in Zoho writer. Is this possible?

      • Multiple header in the quote table???

        Hello, Is it possible in Zoho CRM to add multiple headers or sections within the Quote product table, so that when the quote is printed it shows separate sections (for example “Products” and “Services”)? To clarify, I’m asking because: This does not appear

      • openUrl in blueprints

        My customer wants to open a URL at the end of a blueprint transition. Seems this isn't possible right now but it would be very useful. In this thread, https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/openurl-not-working the Zoho agent said that it's logically

      • Dropshipping Address - Does Not Show on Invoice Correctly

        When a dropshipping address is used for a customer, the correct ship-to address does not seem to show on the Invoice. It shows correctly on the Sales Order, Shipment Order, and Package, just not the Invoice. This is a problem, because the company being

      • Prepayment of a sales order

        How does everyone handle this common (at least it is common for us!) situation? We require all our orders to be fully prepaid before shipment since we manufacture made to order, custom products. Since ZOHO does not allow a sales order to be prepaid, we are forced to create an invoice at the time an order is placed to allow the customer to pay it. Our sales category is therefore skewed, since the sale was actually booked at the time an order was placed, rather then at the time it is shipped, which

      • Access to Specific Zoho Desk layout for external parties

        Hi, We have a partner who handles for us sales requests from specific markets. He is not a Zoho Desk user. But we want him to b part of a specific Zoho Desk layout to handle inquiries.  How to achieve it in the easiest way possible?

      • Deposit on a Sales Order

        Good day, 100% of my business is preorders, no inventory. I am trying to run away from QB for one of my businesses, but I require two options that I don't seem to find with Zoho Books. 1 - If there is a way to apply a deposit on a sales order, as with

      • Next Page