First Insight - Find your Fields

First Insight - Find your Fields

The Wheels of Ticketing - Desk Stories

Find your Fields

What are fields?

Fields are crucial in ticketing modules that capture information about Tickets, Customers, Organizations, Products, and more. Depending on the kind of data being stored, users can choose from various types of fields, including Date, Date/Time, Picklist, Single-line, and Multiline. 
 
Desk offers standard fields that cater to everyday business needs, such as Company name and Email address. It also allows the addition of custom fields based on specific business requirements. A layout is comprised of both standard and custom fields.

Types of fields

Standard Fields

Organizations can display or hide standard fields within each module according to their needs. Notably, mandatory fields defined by the system, such as Departments and Contact Name, cannot be modified or removed. Any alterations made to the standard fields within a layout will apply organization-wide.

Custom Fields

Alongside the standard fields, Desk provides the opportunity to add custom fields tailored to specific industry needs, including types like string, decimal, integer, currency, and checkbox. For instance, a custom field titled "Referred By" can be created to track customer referrals. However, it's worth mentioning that these custom fields will only be available within the department where they were made. Custom fields can be added to various modules, including Contracts, Time Entry, Agents, Tickets, Contacts, Accounts, Products, Calls, Tasks, and Events.

A story for better comprehension of using fields

The Ticketing Turnaround at Crazy Fitness

Crazy Fitness, a popular fitness studio chain, was struggling to keep up with its rapidly growing customer base. The support team was inundated with tickets, and response times were suffering.

Rachel, the support team lead, knew they needed a better system. She implemented a new ticketing system by choosing the right fields and creating the necessary custom fields, focusing on:
  • Multi-channel support: Rachel configured the system to manage requests from multiple channels, such as email, social media, and live chat.
  • Knowledge base: She developed a thorough knowledge base, enabling customers to find solutions to their queries independently.
  • SLA management: Rachel set up well-defined service level agreements (SLAs) to guarantee prompt responses and resolutions.

With the new ticketing system, Crazy Fitness:

  • Reduced ticket volume: By 20%, as customers found answers in the knowledge base.
  • Improved response times: By 50%, thanks to automated routing and SLA management.
  • Increased customer satisfaction: By 30%, as customers received timely and personalized support.
As Crazy Fitness continued to expand, Rachel's team used the ticketing system to identify trends and optimize their support process. They even launched a customer feedback program, using ticket data to inform product development and improve the overall customer experience.

Crazy Fitness's commitment to customer support helped the company maintain its reputation as a leader in the fitness industry.

Overview of fields

In the newly set Crazy Fitness ticketing help desk system, fields typically refer to the different pieces of information that can be captured or displayed for each support ticket. Here are some standard fields you might encounter:

Ticket Fields

  • Ticket ID/Number: A unique identifier is assigned to each ticket
  • Subject: A summary of the issue or request
  • Description: A detailed account of the problem or question being addressed
  • Category: The type of issue (e.g., technical support, billing questions, general inquiries)
  • Priority: The urgency level of the ticket
  • Status: The current state of the ticket (e.g., open, in progress, resolved)
  • Assignee: The agent or team designated to handle the ticket
  • Requester: The individual who submitted the ticket

Contact Fields

  • Name: Customer's full name
  • Email: Customer's email address
  • Phone: Customer's phone number
  • Organization: Customer's company or organization

Custom Fields

  • Age - Age of the fitness enthusiast
  • Height - Height of the fitness enthusiast in centimetres
  • Weight -Weight of the fitness enthusiast in kilograms
  • Diet Plan - A balanced diet plan prescribed to the fitness enthusiast  for a healthy lifestyle

Additional Fields

  • Tags: Keywords or labels to categorize and filter tickets
  • Attachments: Files or screenshots added to the ticket for context
  • Conversation History: Record of all interactions related to the ticket
  • Custom Fields: User-defined fields to capture specific information relevant to a business

Reporting and Analytics Fields

  • Created Date: Timestamp when the ticket was created
  • Resolved Date: Timestamp when the ticket was resolved
  • Resolution Time: Time taken to resolve each ticket
  • Agent Performance: Metrics to evaluate agent efficiency and effectiveness

Takeaway

These fields help you manage, track, and analyze customer support requests efficiently, ensuring timely resolutions and improved customer satisfaction. 

These fields can vary depending on the help desk software being used, and some systems offer customizable fields to suit specific organizational needs better.

Please stay tuned for more Desk Module stories.

Cheers,
 
Kavya Rao
The Zoho Desk Team
    • Recent Topics

    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • Closing connected ticket after closing WA conversation

      Hi, At the moment, once someone sends a message to our WA number, a corresponding ticket is automatically created. After the question is answered, our support department closes the chat/conversation. However, after that, the connected ticket is still
    • Note sync turn off

      Hi, Is it possible to turn off notes sync between task notes and the parent module? (Account/Deal)
    • Basic Plan Active but Survey Creation Still Limited to 3 Surveys

      I have an active Basic (Monthly) subscription (valid period: Dec 24, 2025 – Jan 24, 2026), but the system still limits survey creation to only 3 surveys, which matches Free plan behavior. The subscription appears active in Portal Information, however
    • 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
    • Emails sent through Bigin are not posting in IMAP Sent folder

      I have set up my email to work from within Bigin using IMAP.  I am using IMAP so I can sync my email across multiple devices - phone / laptop / desktop / iPad / etc.  I want all my emails to populate my email client (outlook & iphone email) whether or
    • Territory Assignment Issues (Lead to Account + Contact)

      1. Lead → Account & Contact Territory Assignment on Conversion A Lead is automatically assigned one or more territories using a workflow and Lead Assignment Rules. This works as expected, and we are able to assign multiple territories to a Lead automatically.
    • 2025 in Review: Powering Field Services Forward—One Feature at a Time

      As 2025 draws to a close, it’s time to pause and reflect on a year of meaningful progress at Zoho FSM. This year was all about listening closely to our customers and partners, building with purpose, and continuously improving the way field service teams
    • 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
    • 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
    • How to install Widget in inventory module

      Hi, I am trying to install a app into Sales Order Module related list, however there is no button allow me to do that. May I ask how to install widget to inventory module related list?
    • 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
    • Good news! Calendar in Zoho CRM gets a face lift

      Dear Customers, We are delighted to unveil the revamped calendar UI in Zoho CRM. With a complete visual overhaul aligned with CRM for Everyone, the calendar now offers a more intuitive and flexible scheduling experience. What’s new? Distinguish activities
    • FOLDER DISAPPEARED

      Hello Zoho Community. I recently found a problem with no explanation: a folder in Zoho Analytics just disappeared, but the tables and SQL sentences still existed, the folder was not deleted. The solution for me in this case was to create a new folder,
    • Zoho Tracking Image location

      So we've been having an issue with tracking email opens. Specifically in Gmail. Our emails are not that long either, maybe 4 sections of image/250 characters of text/button per section.  But all my test accounts I used via Gmail we're showing opens. But then come to find out the tracking image is at the very bottom of the email. So If the message is clipped (It always just clips our social icons on the bottom) and the user doesn't click the show more button it never tracks the open.  Looking at other
    • New to automation - please help

      Hi there! We are new to automations in Zoho. We built out one automation campaign and it seems to be firing off for some people but others not. Please advise what's the best practice or if anything we should tweak. Thank you so much!
    • Is there a plan to allow for the hierarchical organization of Customers / Companies in Zoho Billing?

      We have a few customers who have organizational structures that we haven't quite found a way to deal with in Zoho Billing. In CRM, these sub-companies (or subsidiaries or whatever you want to call them) all have another CRM account as the parent account.
    • Unable to Create Zoho Booking via the Book Appointment API

      Its giving the below error {     "response": {         "errormessage": "Error setting value for the variable:customer_details\n null",         "status": "Error"     } } Request: POST Url: https://www.zohoapis.in/bookings/v1/json/appointment attached Zoho-oauthtoken
    • Task Details on task template

      When creating a task template in settings that task details seem to be missing. Is it not possible to set the details of a task, such as the priority, type, reminder settings, and custom field values?
    • Building Toppings #3 -Testing and publishing Bigin toppings

      In previous forum posts, we discussed what a Bigin topping is and explored the Bigin Developer Console's features. In this post, we're going to create a topping from scratch and discuss how to test and publish it. Our topping will automate follow-up management
    • markdown files?

      How can I import a markdown file into a note?
    • Mail to Zoho Notebook

      In the Instuctiosn I faound as email add@notebook.app In my account I see add@eu.notebook.app What is correct please
    • Auto-Invite Users to Portals in Zoho CRM based on Conditions

      Hello Everyone, You can now automate portal invitations in Zoho CRM with the new Auto-Invite users feature in Portal management. No more manually enabling portal access one by one. With this enhancement, you can automatically send invites for users to
    • Growth You can Count On: Zoho Billing's 2025 Journey

      As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on a year rooted in steady progress and meaningful growth for Zoho Billing. Every enhancement we have introduced was built to support scalable and reliable billing growth for your business. From launching the Enterprise
    • Automating Employee Birthday Notifications in Zoho Cliq

      Have you ever missed a birthday and felt like the office Grinch? Fear not, the Cliq Developer Platform has got your back! With Zoho Cliq's Schedulers, you can be the office party-cipant who never forgets a single cake, balloon, or awkward rendition of
    • Need help with creating workflow with Bigin and Clickup

      Can you please help me with this? I am trying to create a workflow in Zoho Flow wherein a bigin Pipeline deal moves to Decision Closing, it will create a task and subtasks in Clickup, under the condition/filter that the Deal name contains the word Social
    • [Webinar] Automate generation of wills, trusts, POAs, and other estate planning documents with Zoho Writer

      Managing the lifecycle of the estate planning documents such as wills, trusts, and POAs, from client intake to final storage, can be complex and time-consuming. Join our live webinar to learn how Zoho Writer transforms this process by automating document
    • Create / Update Rule in TeamInbox when record is updated in ZohoCRM using flow?

      I'm currently evaluating options and trying to work out if the possible scenario is possible; If a record in ZohoCRM is updated, take 2 of the fields from that - lets call them 'OrderRef' and 'OrderTo'. Using flow, if a record is added or updated, add
    • 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
    • Best practices for the Zoho Desk Mobile App:Part 1

      In focus: Empowering the field and frontline customer support representatives Imagine having to carry your computer everywhere to respond to customers, handle escalations, and update your process. This series presents you with efficient tips to handle
    • dealing with post dated cheques

      Hi, can you help me please the best way to deal with this We sell an item of three months duration that is paid for with post dated cheques in monthly stages example - item is sold £3000 Cheque 1 is for £1000 due at time of sale (say Sept) cheque 2 is dated 25th of next month (Oct) cheque 3 is dated 25th of next month +1 (Nov) Now, with invoice number one it's simple - i send a standard invoice as usual But with the other two here's what i want zoho to do next month i want it to send an invoice on
    • Cliq iOS can't see shared screen

      Hello, I had this morning a video call with a colleague. She is using Cliq Desktop MacOS and wanted to share her screen with me. I'm on iPad. I noticed, while she shared her screen, I could only see her video, but not the shared screen... Does Cliq iOS is able to display shared screen, or is it somewhere else to be found ? Regards
    • SQL Table slowed to a crawl

      Hi all - I seem to have noticed an update. Now whenever I am typing in the script field for the SQL tables there is a huge delay and it is all very slow. This has never been the case for me in over 5 years of using Analytics - I really hope it's fixed
    • Paid Support Plans with Automated Billing

      We (like many others, I'm sure) are designing or have paid support plans. Our design involves a given number of support hours in each plan. Here are my questions: 1) Are there any plans to add time-based plans in the Zoho Desk Support Plans feature? The
    • Bug Report: Search fails to find existing notes after Evernote import

      Hello, I recently migrated from Evernote (~2600 notes across 23 notebooks), but the search functionality is currently broken. The Issue: I can manually browse to a specific note and see it exists. However, when I type the exact or partial title of that
    • Bug Report: "Name A-Z" sorting fails when Note titles start with an Emoji

      Hello, I recently migrated from Evernote (~2600 notes across 23 notebooks). I use emojis at the start of my note titles for visual organization. The Issue: When I set the view to Sort by: Name (A to Z), the sorting logic breaks for any note starting with
    • Copy & Paste not working

      I could create and save 10 new documents but when I go to copy and paste content (just text) into them, only 1 of 10 would save the content. It would appear to save the content but when I go back into the documents, they are empty.
    • editing/applying online payments

      We have customers who pay part or all of an invoice and then cancel their service and want the payment as a credit to future work. It would be ideal if we could make it an excess payment and then void the invoice. I can't make it an excess payment because
    • Next Page