I
n our earlier posts, we covered how to create, test,
and publish an extension f
or 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.
- Automation and customization
- Seamless integration
- Widgets
- Event-based data transfer and notifications
- 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.
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
Recent Topics
issues with manually shipping sales orders - advise needed please
we are new to zoho inventory. we are going to roll the program out to our company within a couple of weeks and during the implementation process we have come into a roadblock with manually packaging and shipping sales orders. its important to note important
I do not see the “Lead Forms” option under Integrations
Hi, I’m using Zoho Social on a Premium plan. I’ve connected LinkedIn Company Page and have a valid LinkedIn Ad Account with Lead Gen Forms. However, I do not see the “Lead Forms” option under Integrations, so I can’t enable LinkedIn Lead Generation. Please
STOCK function showing #N/A! even thought the Stock symbol is valid
Zoho Team, I use STOCK function on Zoho Sheet to fetch the recent Last Closing Price. Some stock symbols are valid but when the STOCK function is applied, it shows #N/A! Attaching an image for reference.
What’s the Correct Integration Flow Between Zoho Inventory, ShipStation, and Multi-Channel Sales Platforms?
Hi Zoho Community, I’m currently implementing Zoho One to manage all of my business processes, and I’d appreciate some guidance on the correct integration flow for the tools I’m using. Here’s my current setup: Zoho Inventory is my central system for managing
Beyond Email: #4 Note taking done right with Notes
With her favorite links now saved in Bookmarks, Sarah is feeling even more at home in Zoho Mail. As her day fills up with meetings and project discussions, she often finds herself scribbling quick ideas and reminders—only to lose track of them later.
When will Sales Order and Invoice Synchronisation with Zoho CRM be Available?
When will Sales Orders and Invoices, created in Zoho Books or Inventory be made available in Zoho CRM? John Legg Owner: The Debug Store
Generate Unique Customer ID for Each for All Contacts
Generate Unique Customer ID for Each for All Contacts
Bookings to Books automation using Flow
I'm using Zoho Flow to automate a process between Bookings and Books. When someone uses Bookings to schedule time with me I use Flow to automatically add the person as a customer in books, then create a Quote in Books for the type of consultation they
Different Canvas for Different account type
I would like to have a separate canvas for Customers and Resellers that auto-applies when I enter an ACCOUNT. Is this do-able?
IMAP sync issues in Zoho CRM
We are using the Zoho CRM for a while, and we sync (via IMAP) our Google Apps email system. The sync works properly when looking at emails per account, contact or deal, etc. However, it does not function well in the "Messages" and "SalesSigns" features.
Reporting tags for custom modules
Hi, it could be very useful. At field level and at sub table level. Thanks, Eduardo
Can't pass Dates and use date filtered Charts in Pages?
I don't mess with pages very much, but I'm trying to build a dashboard. I have a search element and several charts that need to be filtered. I also have a stateless form for a start/end date picker I am trying to use to filter data for the charts. Here
ZOHO FSM Trial - Assets
Hi I am currently using Zoho CRM and looking at adding FSM. I am trialing FSM at the moment, to potentially move away from my current programme (SimPro) but have a query on the Asset system within FSM It looks like you can only create 1 asset "type";
Customize User Invites with Invitation Templates
Invitation Templates help streamline the invitation process by allowing users to create customized email formats instead of sending a one-size-fits-all email. Different invitation templates can be created for portal users and client users to align with
Sending Email with Attachment (PDF, Excel file)
Hi, I'm new to Zoho CRM and I'm setting up a flow to send an Email with Attachment when user reaching a certain stage of a Deal. In detail, I've created a Blueprint which requires user to attach a PDF file when reaching a certain point of the stage and
A letter to the unsung heroes of the internet
Dear social media marketers, this one’s for you! From the outside, it may look like you're just scrolling through feeds or switching between tabs. But we know better. Team Zoho Social sees the real story. We understand the challenges you face—and we’ve
Based on the Assign To time task want to trigger also reminder for the task still move form fresh lead
If the leads is assigned To 1 am to 10.55 am task want to create 11am Then reminder want to go the person at 4pm If lead status not moved from fresh lead. From next on wards Reminder want to go 11 Am and 4pm Every day still the person moved to fresh lead
Emails Not Sending
This has happened before. I contacted Zoho and it seemed to work, but now my emails are not sending or taking a long time to send and half the time attachments don't attach. It just keeps saying Sending... and I have to keep clicking it to make it send.
[Free Webinar] Learning Table Series - AI-Enhanced Logistics Management in Zoho Creator
Hello Everyone! We’re excited to invite you to another edition of Learning Table Series, where we showcase how Zoho Creator empowers industries with innovative and automated solutions. About Learning Table Series Learning Table Series is a free, 45-60
WhatsApp pricing changes: Pay per message starting July 1, 2025
Starting July 1, 2025, WhatsApp is shifting from conversation-based pricing to per-message billing. That means every business-initiated message you send will count. Not just the first one in a 24-hour window. Pricing updates on the WhatsApp Business Platform
Create a button that converts Sales Order into a Custom Module
I am looking for a way of creating a button on Sales Orders that would automatically create a record in a custom module I have created called Contracts. The custom destination module "Contracts" has the following fields that I would need to populate [Contracts Name] populate with SalesOrderID [Account Name] populate with related Account Name [Contract Start Date] populate with the date that the record was created Could someone help or point me in the right direction? Thanks
Remove all of the junk data that comes with the trial
How would I go about removing all of the junk data that comes with the trial of zoho crm?
Video Interview Feature
Please add a text option as well while sending invitations to candidates for video interviews, candidates are missing out on the email. They are more convenient in text and it really helps Hope you would understand, thanks
Singapore DBS Bank
Is there any schedule corresponding to DBS of Singapore?
Including Contact and Account Information in Zoho Projects.
In Zoho Projects I have created a custom layout which already includes a 'Client Information' section. The 'Client Information' section already includes integrated fields (integrated with CRM) for various account and contact details. Here's what I want
Unable to Download CRM Contact Data: WorkDrive Integration Issues
## Problem Description We need to let users download contact information from CRM as CSV files to their local computers. Since we couldn't implement a direct download option, we're trying to use WorkDrive as a workaround - but we're encountering issues
App Spotlight : PagerDuty for Zoho Cliq
App Spotlight brings you hand-picked apps to enhance the power of your Zoho apps and tools. Visit the Zoho Marketplace to explore all of our apps, integrations, and extensions. In today's fast-paced world, seizing every moment is essential for operational
Campaigns going to spam folder, how to build so that it goes to inbox
Hello, New to campaigns, now have it functioning correctly. In my test group of 10 email addresses 100% of the emails went to spam/junk folder and/or were blocked/captured by spam filters. What is the process to building a message or format that does
Integrate QuickBooks with Bigin and streamline your sales and accounting!
If your business relies on Bigin for customer management and QuickBooks for accounting and invoicing, this new integration is here to make your operations more efficient. By connecting these two platforms, you can now manage your CRM and financial processes
When a ticket is merged, the merged ticket's link should redirect to the remaining ticket.
Zoho Desk deletes merged tickets. Which is not ideal. The issue is if you have a link bookmarked, or even in your inbox from a ticket that was merged, when you visit you receive an error because merging tickets actually deletes the ticket that was merged.
Pass data from a Zoho Desk ticket to a Zoho Form as pre-fill data?
Hello, I'm trying to pre-fill a Zoho form with client data based on the Zoho Desk ticket data that would be associated. Work flow i'm trying to create: 1. Ticket created for a sales order 2. order requires a site survey 3. link inside ticket links to
Goods total weight in Sales Orders
Hello everyone, We want to automatically calculate the total weight in Sales Orders based on the weight data specified in the Items. Could you please suggest the simplest way to achieve this in Zoho Inventory? I would greatly appreciate any advice and
Problem with pagination in Zoho Inventory API
Hello, I'm having an issue with the Zoho Inventory API when I try to use the pagination. When I send a request to https://inventory.zoho.com/api/v1/items?authtoken=XXXXXXXXXX&organization_id=YYYYYY&page=1&per_page=50, I get back 200 items. And when I send the same request for the second page, https://inventory.zoho.com/api/v1/items?authtoken=XXXXXXXXXX&organization_id=YYYYYY&page=2&per_page=50 I'm getting back the same 200 items I get with the first request. So I think neither the page parameter
Can a user be assigned to an Account based on email domain?
Hi ZohoDesk, If I have a customer Account already configured is there any way I can use a domain matching rule to assign a new user to the correct account when logging a ticket by email? Many thanks Rich
Can't track conversions using GTM
We had to move the installation of the SalesIQ widget from GTM to directly do it in our wordpress site. The SalesIQ widget was being blocked by Adblockers which caused a lot of our visitors to not be able to see it. This issue was fixed from deleting
WhatsApp Message Pricing Changes (Effective July 1, 2025)
Starting July 1, 2025, Meta will introduce a per-message pricing model on the WhatsApp Business Platform, replacing the current conversation-based billing. This update affects all WhatsApp messages sent through Zoho Marketing Automation. We’ve broken
Parent-Child Tickets using API or Deluge
Hi Everyone, We are looking at the parent-child ticketing features in Zoho Desk. We want to be able to create a parent ticket at customer level and nest child tickets underneath. The issue we are facing is to be able to automate this. I'm checking the
Blueprint transitions on locked records
We use the ability to automatically lock records (quotes, sales orders, etc.) based on criteria, such as stage. For instance, if a quote has been sent to a client, the quote is then locked for further edits. Our ideal quote stage process is: Draft>Sent>Won.
CC from mail client to Zoho CRM
Hi, Is it possible to have emails sent outside of CRM use a CC that sends them into the CRM and attaches to the record? Thanks
Department e-mail signatures
Hello everyone, We're just in the process of evaluating various help desk software alternatives and Zoho is looking pretty good to us at the moment. Our set up is a bit strange and I was wondering if this is possible. We have one tech who looks after
Next Page