Power of Automation :: Automatically update the Work hours of a task based on Custom field Value

Power of Automation :: Automatically update the Work hours of a task based on Custom field Value

Hello Everyone,


A custom function is a software code that can be used to automate a process and this allows you to automate a notification, call a webhook, or perform logic immediately after a workflow rule is triggered. This feature helps to automate complex tasks and calculations. 


Lets take the below use case from a customer - 


They have created a custom field 'Task Type' at task level. Based on the value provided to that field, work hours should be automatically updated in that task. Below are the mappings between Task Type & Work Hours.


Task Type

Work Hours

AAIR

12 hours

Account Intel

32 hours

Competitor Intel

8 hours

Connects

8 hours

Custom Intel

9 hours

Deal Shortlisting

2 hours

IT Intel

4 hours

Priority Task

10 hours

Profiling

8 hours

Quarterly Analysis

16 hours

Win Loss

8 hours


This can be accomplished using the below code. Create a connection using the scopes “ZohoProjects.portals.READ, ZohoProjects.tasks.ALL, ZohoProjects.timesheets.READ” and update the connection name ‘******’ in the below code. Find the attached screenshot of the Arguments.

Here is the link to know how to create a connection.

// scopes: ZohoProjects.portals.READ, ZohoProjects.tasks.ALL, ZohoProjects.timesheets.READ

workhourMapping = Map();
workhourMapping.put("AAIR", 12);
workhourMapping.put("Account Intel", 32);
workhourMapping.put("Competitor Intel", 8);
workhourMapping.put("Connects", 8);
// workhourMapping.put("Custom Intel", Yet to decide);
workhourMapping.put("Deal Shortlisting", 2);
workhourMapping.put("IT Intel", 4);
// workhourMapping.put("Priority Task", Yet to decide);
workhourMapping.put("Profiling", 8);
workhourMapping.put("Quarterly Analysis", 16);
workhourMapping.put("Win Loss", 8);
if(taskType==null || !workhourMapping.containKey(taskType)) {
return "Task type is empty or map doesn't contain the specified task type";
}
else {
taskResponse = zoho.projects.getRecordById(portalId,projectId,"Tasks",taskId,"projects");
owners = taskResponse.get("tasks").get(0).get("details").get("owners");
// info owners;
taskWorks = List();
for each  owner in owners
{
if(owner.get("name").containsIgnoreCase("Unassigned"))
{
info "No owner found";
break;
}
else
{
isOwnerPresent = true;
ownerId = owner.get("id");
ownerWorkHours = workhourMapping.get(taskType);
taskWork = Map();
taskWork.put("user_id",ownerId);
taskWork.put("working_hours",ownerWorkHours);
taskWorks.add(taskWork);
break;
}
}
// info taskOwners;
updateTaskParameter = Map();
if(isOwnerPresent)
{
updateTaskParameter.put("owner_work",taskWorks);
updateTaskParameter.put("work_type","work_hours");
updateTaskParameter.put("person_responsible",ownerId);
updateTaskResponse = zoho.projects.update(portalId,projectId,"tasks",taskId,updateTaskParameter,"********");
info updateTaskResponse;
}
}
return "success";


Creating custom functions in Zoho Projects is straightforward and well-documented. Zoho provides a range of built-in functions that you can use as a starting point, and you can also easily define your own functions using Zoho's scripting language, Deluge. Give it a try and see how it can save your time and boost your productivity!

 

Watch this space for more such custom function codes. 


    • Sticky Posts

    • Introducing the Zoho Projects Learning Space

      Every product has its learning curve, and sometimes having a guided path makes the learning experience smoother. With that goal, we introduce a dedicated learning space for Zoho Projects, a platform where you can explore lessons, learn at your own pace,
    • Update on V2 API End-of-Life Timeline

      Dear Users, Earlier this year, we shared the launch of the V3 APIs and requested users to migrate from the older V2 APIs by December 2025. We have received valuable feedback from our users and partners regarding their migration timelines. We are happy
    • Automation Series: Auto-update Phase Status

      Hello Folks! You can auto-update your phase's status based on status of underlying tasks using custom functions. In this series, we will showcase how to create and run custom functions, using Deluge, with ease. Follow the steps below and automate your
    • Automate Timesheet Approvals with Multi-level Approval Rules

      Introducing Approval Rules for Timesheets in Zoho Projects. With this automation, teams can manage how timesheets are reviewed and approved by setting up rules with criteria and assigning approvers to handle submissions. Timesheet, when associated to
    • Accessibility Spotlight Series - 1

      Every user interacts with products differently, what feels intuitive to one may be challenging for another. Addressing this, accessibility is built into Zoho Project's design philosophy. This helps users navigate and perform actions with ease irrespective
    • Recent Topics

    • Syncing with Google calendar, Tasks and Events

      Is it possible to sync Zoho CRM calendar, task and events with Google Calendar's tasks and events. With the increasing adoption by many major tool suppliers to sync seamlessly with Google's offerings (for instance I use the excellent Any.do task planning
    • ZoHo Flow Custom Function not Processing JSON

      JSON is being escaped and converting all the quotes in the JSON to '"' Here's the Code: void InsertRowInE123EligibitySheet(map input) { rawData = get("data",""); decodedData = rawData.htmlDecode(); data = decodedData.toMap(); sheet_id = "ID GOES
    • Create static subforms in Zoho CRM: streamline data entry with pre-defined values

      Last modified on (9 July, 2025): This feature was available in early access and is currently being rolled out to customers in phases. Currently available for users in the the AU, CA, and SA DCs. It will be enabled for the remaining DCs in the next couple
    • Managing functions

      Can someone let me know if there are any plans to improve the features for managing functions in CRM? I have lots of functions and finding them is hard. The search only works on the function name and the filter only works on function type. I have created
    • Zoho FSM - Service Appointment Trouble Adding Field Agent

      Hello, I just started using Zoho FSM and I'm currently adding older work orders from prior Field Service application I use. The work order that im trying to add is from an earlier date, and when I try to add a field agent to a service appointment it does
    • Ability for admin to access or make changes in zoho form without asking for ownership

      Currently in zoho form only form owner can make the changes in the form and if someone else has to make changes then we have to transfer the ownership to them and even admin also cant access it . So i think admin must have the ability or option to access
    • How to Hide System-DefinedTemplates in Service Report

      Is there any option available to hide system-defined templates? these templates are causing confusion for field users.
    • Shifts in Zoho People vs Zoho Shifts?

      Hello Zoho People Team, We hope you are doing well. We are evaluating the Shifts functionality within Zoho People and comparing it to the standalone Zoho Shifts product. We’ve encountered comments and discussions suggesting that the Shifts feature inside
    • How do I associate pricebooks to a customer?

      I setup a few pricebooks, that worked fine. But now the only thing I can do with it, when I enter a quote or sales order, I can select which pricebook to use, but I have to do this product by product every time I add one. Is there a way to connect a pricebook
    • 年内最後のユーザー向けイベント:5名限定! 課題解決型ワークショップイベント Zoho ワークアウト開催のお知らせ (12/18)

      ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの中野です。 12月開催のZoho ワークアウトについてお知らせします。 今回はZoomにて、オンライン開催します。 参加登録はこちら(無料) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/QHn6kJAcRs-znJ1l5jk0ww ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Zoho ワークアウトとは? Zoho ユーザー同士で交流しながら、サービスに関する疑問や不明点の解消を目的とした「Zoho ワークアウト」を開催します。
    • How do I get my account id?

      Hello, I followed the instructions to get a list of accounts of the currently authenticated user (which is me, and I am logged in). But when I follow the below instructions I get the following error: ERROR: {"data":{"errorCode":"INVALID_TICKET","moreInfo":"Invalid ticket"},"status":{"code":400,"description":"Invalid Input"}} Instructions that I am following: GET - User account details Purpose The API retrieves the list of accounts of the currently authenticated user.  Request URL  http://mail.zoho.com/api/accounts
    • This domain is not allowed to add. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details

      I am trying to setup the free version of Zoho Mail. When I tried to add my domain, theselfreunion.com I got the error message that is the subject of this Topic. I've read your other community forum topics, and this is NOT a free domain. So what is the
    • Related list Mobile Device

      Hello, We use an the Zoho creator application to make reports linked to Accounts. On the computer: it's easy to go the Account and see all the created reports in the related list below On iPad/Phone ZOHO CRM APP: we cannot see the reports on those accounts
    • Zoho Quartz Screen Recording

      Hello, can we get access to Quartz, please, as a standalone solution? It would be great for creating training videos for current and future staff on how to use Zoho software according to our company requirements. Thank you
    • auto close automated alert tickets which are similar

      Hello ZOHO Community, we are using ZOHO Desk to process automated monitoring alerts. Scenario: Our monitoring system creates a ticket when a threshold is exceeded, e.g. Subject: Computer 1 – CPU usage 100% – Error A few minutes later, once the issue resolves
    • Maintain knowledge base integrity by moderating article comments

      Hello everyone, A knowledge base provides a self-service platform where customers can refer to articles, user manuals, and other resources to learn about the company's products or services and troubleshoot problems. Often, readers leave a comment on the
    • Making another calendar your default calendar

      I am trying to make another calendar my default calendar when I add events to it. It keep going to a single calendar, I need it to go to my google calendar by default, as this is linked to other services / websites. I cannot find an option to make it
    • Customer ticket creation via Microsoft Teams

      Hi all, I'm looking to see if someone could point me in the right direction. I'd love to make it so my customers/ end users can make tickets, see responses and respond within microsoft teams. As Admin and an Agent i've installed the zoho assist app within
    • Option to Delete Chats in IM

      Currently, there is no option to delete any chats in IM, regardless of their source.
    • Restrict Users access to login into CRM?

      I’m wanting my employees to be able to utilize the Zoho CRM Lookup field within Zoho Forms. For them to use lookup field in Zoho Forms it is my understanding that they need to be licensed for Forms and the CRM. However, I don’t want them to be able to
    • Referencing a cell from another sheet

      My workbook has multiple sheets. Each sheet has some calcluated totals in certain cells. The front master sheet has a list of everything that is detailed on the other sheets, with the totals. These could change at any time, so the totals need to be references to the other cell's value, not a fixed number. So on the master sheet, I put in =, then go the other sheet and choose the cell and hit Enter. In regular Excel, this works. But in the Zoho sheet, it doesn't work. I have to edit the result by
    • Group mail for external email addresses

      Hello, I was just wondering if the Group mail feature works with external email addresses - e.g. gmail.com or a completely different domain? it seems only internal addresses (hosted with Zoho) receive the mail. Thanks, Oliver
    • Is Zoho Shifts included in the Zoho One plan?

      In case the answer is no: there's any plan to make it available via One? Thank you
    • Random Leads are being created

      Hi, Every few days I am getting random leads that are being created with no form interactions at all. The email addresses are from obvious spam, such as 'Easymerchantsx'. When I look at the timeline, there is a Visit record and then a Lead Created record,
    • Marketing Automation Requirements Questions

      I would like to set up a multi-email drip campaign- please see the structure below and confirm if I can achieve this set up in Zoho marketing automation. Where applicable, highlight gaps and workarounds. Thanks Drip email campaign- Can I create one drip
    • The email address you have entered belongs to a different deployment/region.

      Hi, I am trying to create the user - mprust@crombiecomputers.co.uk but keep getting the message below -  The email address you have entered belongs to a different deployment/region. Please contact support@zohoaccounts.com for assistance. Look forward
    • Use Zoho Flow Credits for CRM ‘Actions by Zoho Flow’

      Hello Team, We would like to submit a feature request regarding credit usage for “Actions by Zoho Flow” in Zoho CRM. Use Case: We are Zoho One users and actively use Zoho Flow, where our organization has 52,000 Flow tasks per month. In Zoho CRM, we use
    • Unusual activity detected from this IP. Please try again after some time.

      Hello Zoho admin and IT team We are a registered website in Eloctronic services and we been trying to add our users to the zoho system but this issue faced us ,, hope you unlocked us please.
    • Alert if a field is ticked.

      Hi There, We have two modules named Opportunities (Deals) and End Users (CustomModule1), as per the image below. Within Opportunities, we have a lookup field that looks up from the End Users Module. We are looking to get an alert either via email or another
    • CRM x WorkDrive: We're rolling out the WorkDrive-powered file storage experience for existing users

      Release plan: Gradual rollout to customers without file storage add-ons, in this order: 1. Standalone CRM 2. CRM Plus and Zoho One DCs: All | Editions: All Available now for: - Standalone CRM accounts in Free and Standard editions without file storage
    • Zoho CRM Analytics - Allow To Reorder Dashboards

      I would like to suggest that you add the ability to reorder dashboards in the Analytics Module. I can see that this has been requested some time ago, the latest 9 years ago. I am not sure if this is a big or small endeavor, but such a small fix can go
    • Plans to allow more columns of monitoring, and monitoring not only your own channels?

      Are their any plans to allow more columns of monitoring, and monitoring not only your own channels? Here's why - I'm sure I'm not alone in that we sell other brands products, so not only am I interested in my own brand social channels, but also the social
    • Kaizen #194 : Trigger Client Script via Custom buttons

      Hello everyone! Welcome back to another interesting and useful Kaizen post. We know that Client Scripts can be triggered with Canvas buttons and we discussed this with a use case in Kaizen#180. Today, let us discuss how to trigger Client Script when a
    • Adding Choices in a Sub-Form Dropdown

      Hi, Has anybody tried Adding Choices to a Dropdown in a Zoho Creator Sub-Form programmatically? My Deluge code adds rows to a subform with 2 fields A and B. A - text field. B - dropdown. My Deluge script adds the row and displays A successfully. For the
    • Zoho CRM Email Templates 100% Width No Background How?

      Hi, On the Zoho CRM Email Templates in setup > customization > templates > new templates > I choose blank template, but still it puts in a gray background and a max width for the email. I just want to make an email that looks like an email I would send from gmail that has no background or max width. How do you do this? 
    • Checking client unsubscribe details

      Hi team, Can you please let me know where we can check if a client has unsubscribed, along with the date and time it was done? If this information is not available at our end, please help confirm the unsubscribe date for the below email ID from the backend:
    • Manage control over Microsoft Office 365 integrations with profile-based sync permissions

      Greetings all, Previously, all users in Zoho CRM had access to enable Microsoft integrations (Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks) in their accounts, regardless of their profile type. Users with administrator profiles can now manage profile-based permissions
    • Email forwarding setup fails

      I'm trying to set up email forwarding from my Zoho email to my gmail address. I followed the directions to set up email forwarding here: https://www.zoho.com/mail/help/email-forwarding.html. I did only steps 1-6. After doing this, rather than setting
    • Optimum CRM setup for new B2B business

      Can some advise the most common way to setup Zoho CRM to handle sales for a B2B company? Specifically in how to handle inbound/outbound emails. I have spent hours researching online and can't seem to find an accepted approach, or even a tutorial. I have
    • Integration with...

      Dear Zoho Commerce team, Please could you consider the integration within Zoho Commerce / Inventory and Qapla'? (https://www.qapla.it/en/) This app is better than Aftership in many ways: - Aftership integration require PRO plan and price start from more
    • Next Page