Title: Fundamental features of a Zoho Books extension | Community | Zoho Finance

Title: Fundamental features of a Zoho Books extension | Community | Zoho Finance

In our earlier posts, we covered how to create, test, and publish an extension for Zoho Finance suite applications. Moving forward, we'll look specifically at instances relating to one of the products from the Zoho Finance suite: Zoho Books.
In this post, we'll explore the key features listed below that are available in the Zoho Books extension developer portal.
  1. Automation and customization
  2. Seamless integration
  3. Widgets
  4. Event-based data transfer and notifications
  5. Extension configuration

Automation and customization

These are defined sets of rules that automatically execute operations and customize standards for tailoring modules and fields.

Achieving it in Zoho Books

The Zoho Books extension developer portal provides a variety of automation features, including workflows (rules, actions, and triggers), custom actions, and schedules. There are also customization features, like creating custom modules and fields, adding buttons, and including related lists for both standard and custom modules.

Example use case

Automate emails to customers in various organizations based on their accounts receivable (A/R), so that different emails are sent indicating different actions that will be taken against them based on the total value of credit payments they owe.

By using an extension, you can easily add a new custom field for accounts receivable and specify workflow rules to send an email based on the value.


Widgets

A widget is a user interface that displays data to the end-user in order to facilitate their understanding or collects input data from them in order to perform additional operations.

Achieving it in Zoho Books

The developer portal's widget feature helps create a user interface or run a client-side script. You can easily design and develop user interfaces with any web development framework; these widgets could gather user input, if required, and, based on those inputs, perform logical operations.

Example use case

Issue a mortgage lien release (certificate of release) to a borrower who has paid off their mortgage completely. This certificate indicates that the lien on the borrower's property has been released and they have regained title ownership. In this situation, a customized widget can be developed to collect personalized inputs, such as the issuing bank's (lender's) information and a customized message to be sent to the borrower, before sending the certificate out.


Seamless integration

A seamless integration or tightly coupled integration to establishes a connection between applications for data transfer and synchronization.

Achieving it in Zoho Books

The Connections feature in the Zoho Books extension developer portal can be used to achieve seamless integrations.

You can establish connections between Zoho Books and other apps by:
➤ Using the default, ready-to-use connections offered in the Zoho Books extension developer portal
➤ Creating customized connections for the applications you want to integrate with Zoho Books
Example use case

You can sync data between Zoho Books and Shopify, running your business more efficiently by completing activities from a single app and reducing manual data entry.

This data sync can be achieved by establishing a connection between these apps using the Connections feature. This enables seamless collaboration between sales and finance operations; sales contacts can be added as Zoho Books customers, and invoices issued in Zoho Books can be instantly logged and synced in Shopify.


Event-based data transfer and notifications

These are real-time notifications or actions that are triggered and executed in response to the occurrence of a real-time event.

Achieving it in Zoho Books

Webhooks and signals on the developer portal facilitate real-time data updates and notifications in Zoho Books.
The webhooks feature enhances the connection between two applications. It allows you to capture the occurrence of an event and collect and post the real-time data as an update to another application.

The Zoho Books extension developer portal provides support for both incoming and outgoing webhooks, allowing real-time data updates to Zoho Books from another application and vice versa.

The signals feature allows you to receive real-time notifications.

Example use case

A finance meeting is planned and organized using an event management app, and future potential clients are gathered from the meeting. If the follow-up is successful and a client would like an event organized, it's scheduled for them.

In this case, webhooks capture the occurrence of the event being created, collect the event-related data, update it in Zoho Books, and generate an invoice for the event. Signals can be used to display real-time notifications when new customers are added to Zoho Books.

Learn more about webhooks and signals.

Extension configuration

Manage extension configuration by allowing users to provide their preferences or user-specific data and perform actions when extensions are installed or uninstalled.

Achieving it in Zoho Books

Global fields and installation actions help achieve extension setup and execute installation-related scripts.
  • You can either create global fields to collect input from users or design widgets (with global fields, if necessary), allowing users to provide inputs and choices to configure and use the extension.
  • Perform custom actions during the extension's installation and uninstallation.
Example use case

You can sync and manage Zoho Books projects with Trello, a project management platform, to create customized task views and visually manage tasks.

This is easy to accomplish with global fields and installation actions. Since Trello requires an API key to establish a safe connection with another app, we can add a global field for it in Zoho Books. After installing the extension, users can provide their user-specific API key to establish a secure connection between the apps. Then, an install action script can be created to transfer records.


In this post, we've covered an overview of the features available while developing a Zoho Books extension and how they might be useful. We'll explore each of these features in detail in upcoming posts. We hope you found this information helpful. Keep following us for more posts!


SEE MORE



Next>>

    • Recent Topics

    • How to Share a workdrive folder outside organization ?

      Hi, Earlier we were using Google Suite and were able to share the google drive folders with external organization ( Auditors , marketing collaterals ) as most of them had a personal gmail account they were able to access it without any issue. How can

    • Zoho CRM Account Duplication via Credit Application Form

      Hi, We send a credit application link to our customers via email, which is managed through Zoho Campaigns. When a customer submits the form, it automatically creates a new account in Zoho CRM. We would like to know how to stop this from creating duplicate

    • Flexible Milestone Invoicing

      If your Zoho Projects portal is integrated with Zoho Invoice/Books, you can now create an invoice for your milestones. You can enable it under Integration Preference and invoice milestones regardless of the project's billing type. For instance, consider

    • The get records i am getting produts that show in the show in the sub form item list field

      The get records i am getting produts that show in the show in the sub form item list field if(input.Department != null) { // Get filtered records once creator_ptid = zoho.creator.getRecords("harshadgroup","item-master","All_Products","Department == \""

    • Add Zoho Form Submission as Attachment to Zoho CRM Deal using Zoho Deal ID

      Hi Zoho team, I have a Zoho Form in which one of the fields will be hidden but will be defaulted with the Zoho Deal ID. Once the form is submitted, I want to reattach the submitted form (and another uploaded file field) into Zoho CRM Deals record. The crazy part is that Deal Name and Stage are the only two fields available for mapping. I have the actual Deal ID. Why can't I just use that. Can you please fix it so that I can properly attach the submission using Zoho Deal ID instead of name/stage (which

    • Payment link showing as malicious

      We've had a few customers who have been unable to pay invoices as the payment link (the domain is zohosecurepay.eu) is showing as a malicious website in their browser. Could anyone help with this please?

    • Side bar menu

      It would be great if you could stop the auto collapse of expanded menus when selecting a different module. It would save a lot of mouse clicks for a lot of users that frequently switch between sales & purchases as we do, it's easier to collapse them manually when not required !

    • Add Microsoft Entra ID to Zoho One

      Hi! Have anyone tried the Zoho connection to Microsoft Entra ID (https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/kb/one/admin-guide/directory-stores/articles/add-microsoft-azure-to-zoho-one?action=kbArticleFollow&actionId=4014605732522 ) This is a big operation and you

    • Multiple Respondents for One Survey Submission?

      Does anyone know of a way to allow multiple respondents to complete only one  survey and then also see (while completing the survey) the responses for their fellow colleagues who already answered that question? The situation is that our new customers have within their own organization, multiple employees that will need to assist in the one survey response. Since we don't always know which new respondent is the "who" that will have the answer, we need multiple respondents to be able to view the response

    • Can you remove the title from the forms?

      I am placing the iframes for my forms on my website.  Is it possible to remove or hide the title of the form so that it doesn't show up on the website? Is it possible to place text in the form like "clicking submit will take you to paypal." thanks

    • Lost the ability to sort by ticket owner

      Hi all, in the last week or so, we have lost the ability to sort tickets by Ticket Owner. Unlike the other columns which we can hover over and click on to sort, Ticket Owner is no longer clickable. Is it just us, or are other customers seeing this too?

    • Mask Name Field in Report

      Is it possible to have the Name field as "Last Name, First Name" in a scheduled report.

    • Custom Project View by Project Group

      Hi Zoho Team, I used to have a custom project view which showed all my active projects (not cancelled or completed) and the list was separated into projects groups. Some time ago, possibly a couple of months ago, I began to see all projects even cancelled

    • Unable to attach the file via the API.

      We are trying to attach files to a Candidate in Zoho Recruit using the API. We reviewed the following API documentation: 🔗 Upload Attachment While this API does allow file attachment via a URL, that’s not what we want — we do not want to attach public-facing

    • Zoho Books (UK) needs to be able to submit a CT600 CTSA return

      As well as a VAT Return, most (if not all) small businesses have to submit a CT600 Corporation Tax Self-Assessment. There are many providers who do this (like Xero) bujt not Zoho. Can you add this to the request list please? Many thanks Steve

    • Stock Update After Approver 1 Approval in Multi-Level Approval Flow

      Hi Team, We have configured a multi-level approval process for POs/Bills. Our requirement is to update the item stock quantity based on the billed quantity immediately after Approver 1 approves the bill. Please find the script attached below. However,

    • Zoho Form Auto Fill

      I am setting up a Zoho form for my independent sales reps to request quotes. Their names are in the first field under a dropdown menu. The next field is their email address. I want the email address field to automatically be filled in when they select

    • Image Resolution Restriction Option in Zoho Forms File Upload

      Hi Zoho Forms Team, Greetings, We would like to request a feature enhancement for Zoho Forms regarding the file upload field. Currently, Zoho Forms allows us to restrict the file size of uploaded images, but not the image resolution (in megapixels). This

    • Can't select Leave type while applying a leave

      Hello, while trying to apply a leave, I can't find any leave type among the options in the Leave type select: Here are my leave settings. Daily: Hourly: Tried to clear cache and to navigate from another browser, but the problem persists. Any hint? Thank

    • Mes débuts sur Zoho Forms | 13 champs à l'export ! seulement

      Bonjour, je débute sur Zoho Forms, je viens de créer un formulaire avec tests dans la foulée et je n'ai que 13 champs qui remontent sur mon export CSV alors que j'ai plus de questions et champs qui devraient remonter. J'ai actuellement une formule payante

    • Introducing real-time document commenting and collaboration in Zoho Sign

      Hi, there! We are delighted to introduce Document commenting, a feature that helps you communicate with your recipients more efficiently for a streamlined document signing process. Some key benefits include: Collaborate with your recipients easily without

    • Adding Photos Into Form (as a form creator)

      As the form creator, is it possible to add images to my form? (I don’t mean adding an image upload field, but rather inserting a JPG file into the form so that users can view the image.)

    • [Training] AI-Powered Application Development Bootcamp 2.0 - Zoho Creator

      Hello everyone, Ready to take your app-building skills to the next level with the power of AI? We’re excited to invite you to AI-Powered Application Development Bootcamp 2.0—a 90-minute, live training session designed to help developers, business users,

    • What is the easiest/fastest way to attach an email or PDF to a Zoho record?

      Hi everyone, We use Outlook with Office 365 and have the need to either ideally attach a .msg email directly to an account or custom module in Zoho, or if not attach just the PDF that would be sent in that email. The Zoho plugin is very basic for Outlook

    • Free webinar! Close deals faster with Zoho Sign from Zoho CRM

      Hello, Are you tired of chasing down signatures and getting stuck with paperwork delays in your sales process? With the seamless integration between Zoho Sign and Zoho CRM, you can create and send documents for signing online, close deals faster, and

    • Files stores in Library Marketing Automation

      Hi, How can i switch from card view to list view in Marketing Automation My Files.?

    • Paid for upgrade and no change

      I paid the $24.99 rate to upgrade to Pro version and no change when I signed out and signed back in.

    • Issue with Code Snippet Styling Overlap in Zoho Landing Page

      Dear Support Team, I have encountered an issue on the Zoho Landing Page while working with code snippets. When I try to create a custom script and add HTML, CSS, and JavaScript within the code snippet, the styling appears to overlap and affect other code

    • Adding yearly Calander

      How to add Yearly calander and employee data from admin console

    • Zoho Leave Policy > Portugal maternity Leave 120 days or 150 days

      Hello All In this Portugal maternity Leave policy, the government allow employee to apply 120 days they will have 100% paid salary if they apply 150 days they take 80% of the paid salary minimum 1 days and maximum 120 days or 150 days Should i setup this

    • Feature Request - Copy Reschedule Link

      Hi Bookings Team, I had a client contact me today, to let me know that she can't make a meeting she booked this week. I can't remember if I included a reschedule link in email notifications, but I was thinking that it would be great if I could just open

    • eCommerce ZUG Virtual Meetup – Critical Role of e-Signatures in eCommerce

      Hello there! Are you in the ecommerce industry and looking for a secure, compliant e-signature solution to handle all your paperwork? From vendor onboarding and supplier contracts to internal HR and finance workflows, speed, scalability, and customer

    • Zoho Desk iOS app update: Archived ticket list view

      Hello everyone! In the latest iOS version(v2.10.7) of the Zoho Desk app update, we have brought in support to access the 'Archived Ticket views' on the 'Ticket Views' screen. Tickets that have been Closed and inactive for 120+ days will be automatically

    • Chart of Accounts

      Is it possible to reorder chart of accounts manually? Currently, when creating new sub accounts accounts, they appear in order they were created i.e. not in alphabetical or numerical order based on manually assigned account codes. It's very messy! Also,

    • Zoho People Candidate Unable to see Non Admin Data

      Hello All I have assign this user as specific user as Group CEO and have access all legal entity, business unit division When i login to the user and look into onboarding i do not see any data in the candidate view This is the admin view that i have 2

    • Issues With Image Formatting when Importing Word Documents as Articles

      Hello, I am having formatting issues when importing .docx files into articles. The documents look fine on Word, but once they are imported into an article, the images will overlap text and other images. Occasionally there will be added space between images

    • ZOHO COMMERCE 2.0 – Réinventer la vente, repenser la valeur

      Il y a cinq ans, nous avons lancé Zoho Commerce pour accompagner les entreprises dans la vente en ligne. À cette époque, notre objectif était clair : simplifier l'e-commerce. Aujourd’hui, le marché a évolué, tout comme les attentes des entrepreneurs.

    • Business hours in reports

      Hi. If I activate the business hours for my tickets. Does it affect in reports? I mean, if before, without working hours a ticket comes in on a Monday and closes the following Monday, in the resolution time in working hours I get 7 days. I want to know

    • Zia Field Prediction - Unable to Validate Dataset Entries

      Lastly, whenever we want to create a new field prediction, the status gets stuck in Incomplete and when I try to annotate tickets, I get an error message saying "Unable to validate dataset entries." I've tried deleting and recreating the prediction, but

    • Using an article already existing in Zoho Desk KB as a resolution for another tickets

      Hi, I've read about the Resolution tab of the Tickets and the ability of adding a Resolution to the Knowledge Base so that both agents and customers be able to access this information. However, and considering several tickets may be solved by following the same procedure, here's my question: if, for a ticket, I solved it and added the way I solved it as an article in our KB, is it possible to grab that article and use it as a resolution for another tickets with similar characteristics? If it's not,

    • Next Page