Ever wanted to run a Levenshtein Distance algorithm inside Zoho Deluge? No? Me neither, but I did it anyway.
I built a fully functional fuzzy matching system inside Zoho, brute-forcing a dynamic programming solution using Maps and recursive list generation.
- Does it scale? Not really.
- Does it work? Absolutely.
- Did I need to do this? Not at all, but it was fun.
I don’t even use this anymore because I found a better way around fuzzy matching for my needs, but hey, if you ever need a low volume Levenshtein calculator inside Zoho, now you have one. 🤷♂️
How It Works
The function computes Levenshtein Distance, a metric for fuzzy string similarity, by calculating the number of insertions, deletions, and substitutions needed to convert one string into another.
This method is commonly used in spell-checking, DNA sequencing, and fuzzy search algorithms—so obviously, I decided to implement it inside Zoho, because why not?
🔹 The Challenge: Zoho doesn’t support 2D arrays natively.
🔹 The Solution: I brute-forced it using Map-of-Maps as a manual matrix.
🔹 Bonus: I even used recursion to generate number sequences (which is completely unnecessary but kinda cool).
Code & Example Usage
Main Function: standalone.levenshteinDistance
📌 Input: {"s": "kitten", "t": "sitting"}
📌 Output: "3"
Code:
string standalone.levenshteinDistance(Map args)
{
// Retrieve input strings.
s = args.get("s");
t = args.get("t");
m = s.length();
n = t.length();
// If one string is empty, return the length of the other.
if(m == 0)
{
return n.toString();
}
if(n == 0)
{
return m.toString();
}
//info "Length of s: " + m.toString() + ", Length of t: " + n.toString();
// ------------------------------
// Get index lists via the helper function.
// The helper function standalone.UtilitygetListOfLength returns a comma-separated string.
// For example, if (m+1) is 5, it returns "0,1,2,3,4".
// ------------------------------
indices_m_str = standalone.UtilitygetListOfLength({"myLength":m + 1});
indices_n_str = standalone.UtilitygetListOfLength({"myLength":n + 1});
//info "indices_m_str: " + indices_m_str;
//info "indices_n_str: " + indices_n_str;
// Convert these comma-separated strings into lists of long values.
indices_m = list();
numList_m = indices_m_str.toList(",");
for each numStr in numList_m
{
if(numStr.trim() != "")
{
indices_m.add(numStr.trim().toLong());
}
}
indices_n = list();
numList_n = indices_n_str.toList(",");
for each numStr in numList_n
{
if(numStr.trim() != "")
{
indices_n.add(numStr.trim().toLong());
}
}
//info "indices_m list: " + indices_m.toString();
//info "indices_n list: " + indices_n.toString();
// ------------------------------
// Initialize matrix as a map-of-maps.
// Each row is a map keyed by the column index.
// ------------------------------
matrix = Map();
for each i in indices_m
{
rowMap = Map();
for each j in indices_n
{
rowMap.put(j,0);
}
matrix.put(i,rowMap);
}
// Set up the first column: matrix[i][0] = i.
for each i in indices_m
{
rowMap = matrix.get(i);
rowMap.put(0,i);
}
// Set up the first row: matrix[0][j] = j.
firstRow = matrix.get(0);
for each j in indices_n
{
firstRow.put(j,j);
}
// ------------------------------
// Compute Levenshtein distances.
// ------------------------------
for each i in indices_m
{
if(i == 0)
{
continue;
}
for each j in indices_n
{
if(j == 0)
{
continue;
}
// Determine cost: 0 if characters are the same, otherwise 1.
if(s.subString(i - 1,i) == t.subString(j - 1,j))
{
cost = 0;
}
else
{
cost = 1;
}
deletion = matrix.get(i - 1).get(j) + 1;
insertion = matrix.get(i).get(j - 1) + 1;
substitution = matrix.get(i - 1).get(j - 1) + cost;
minValue = deletion;
if(insertion < minValue)
{
minValue = insertion;
}
if(substitution < minValue)
{
minValue = substitution;
}
rowMap = matrix.get(i);
rowMap.put(j,minValue);
}
}
result = matrix.get(m).get(n);
//info "Levenshtein distance: " + result.toString();
return result.toString();
}
Recursive Helper Function: standalone.UtilitygetListOfLength
📌 Input: {"myLength": 6}
📌 Output: "0,1,2,3,4,5"
Code:
string standalone.UtilitygetListOfLength(Map args)
{
myLength = args.get("myLength");
//info "Input myLength: " + myLength;
if(myLength == null || myLength <= 0)
{
//info "Base case reached (myLength <= 0). Returning empty string.";
return "";
}
else
{
// Recursively get the string for (myLength - 1)
prevStr = standalone.UtilitygetListOfLength({"myLength":myLength - 1});
//info "Previous string returned for myLength " + (myLength - 1).toString() + ": " + prevStr;
if(prevStr.equals(""))
{
result = "0";
}
else
{
result = prevStr + "," + (myLength - 1).toString();
}
//info "Returning result for myLength " + myLength.toString() + ": " + result;
return result;
}
}
This helper function is completely unnecessary, but I made it anyway. Instead of just looping, it recursively builds a CSV string of numbers—which is both inefficient and hilarious. 😆
Why Did I Do This?
Because it wasn't supposed to work—but it does.
- Zoho doesn’t support Levenshtein distance? I built it anyway.
- Zoho doesn’t have fuzzy matching? Now it does.
- Zoho doesn’t support 2D arrays? I brute-forced a matrix using Maps.
- Does this scale for massive data? Nope, but it’s perfect for low-volume cases.
Thoughts? Ideas? Have you ever done something in Zoho just because you wanted to see if it was possible? Let me know. 😆
TL;DR:
📌 I brute-forced Levenshtein Distance into Zoho
📌 Zoho wasn’t built for this, but I made it work anyway
📌 Does it scale? No. Does it work? Yes.
📌 Do I use it? Nope. Was it fun? Absolutely.
Let me know what you think! 🚀
Recent Topics
Editing the Ticket Properties column
This is going to sound like a dumb question, but I cannot figure out how to configure/edit the sections (and their fields) in this column: For example, we have a custom "Resolution" field, which parked itself in the "Ticket Information" section of this
Copy field information to clipboard
I need to be able to transfer some field information in to the clipboard, so that I can then paste it in to our helpdesk system. Is there a way I could add a button to a detail report that does this?
Issuing reconciling a bank statement
HELP! I'm trying to reconcile a bank statement. The prior month reconciled perfectly. Beginning balance is correct yet I'm off by the same amount each time. Both myself and my office manager, separately and together, have tried to complete this reconciliation
Unknown table or alias 'A1'
I would like to create a subquery but i am getting the following error: Unknown table or alias 'A1' used in select query. This is the sql statement: SELECT A1.active_paying_customers, A1.active_trial_customers, A1.new_paying_signup, date(A1.date_active_customers),
Detect and ignore bots in visitors
The SalesIQ visitor numbers are basically useless to us because there is no bot detection. We get the same bots coming in from the same countries looking at the same pages every day. It can't be that difficult to tell the difference between an actual
Add Real-Time Microphone Audio-Level Indicator During Screen Recording
Hi Zoho WorkDrive Team, Hope you are doing well. We would like to request an important enhancement to the Zoho WorkDrive screen-recording experience. Current Limitation: During a recording session, there is no visual indication that the microphone is
Zero Personalization of the File Sharing Experience
By now (2025) this is the maximum level of personalization available for a Zoho sharing link. We gently asked Zoho if we could modify at least the background, and they replied that it cannot be customized. We're truly disappointed – and surprised every
Two factor authentication for helpdesk users
The company i work for wants use the helpdesk site in Zoho desk, as a place for their distribution partners to ask question and look for information about our product. The things there is suppose to go up there is somewhat confidential between my company
Kiosk can't merge picklist or multiselect
There is no ability to load a multiselect or picklikst field into a kiosk with the values that have been previously selected. So, I essentially have 3 unacceptable options: 1.)Load the value into a text string and include instructions like this: "Picklist
AGE field from DATE OF BIRTH Field.
HI! I have a field called date of birth in my CRM (LEADS, CONTACT etc…) How can I know the AGE today I would like to create a field AGE. I now how to create a field but I don´t which calculation (CUSTOM FUCTION) to make ¿ANY HELP?
How to update/remove file in zoho creator widgets using javascript API
Hi Team, I have developed a widget which allows inserting and updating records I have file upload field with multiple file upload. Now while doing insert form record, I am using uploadFile API to upload files for that record. I am using updateRecord API
Announcing new features in Trident for Windows (v.1.34.4.0)
Hello Community! Trident for Windows just got better! With this update we have features that make your daily work easier and more efficient. We've added some features that are exclusive to our app and we're sure you'll find them useful. Let’s dive into
Report Hover Setting
Would be great if we will able to show information to the user while hovering a record in a report.
Vertical images displayed as horizontal
Some pictures that originally are in vertical position are displayed in horizontal after the upload. It seems that system rotates them by 90 degrees. How can I fix this issue?
Zoho Desk iOS app update: Saved filters and sort options
Hello everyone! Saved filters created on the web(desk.zoho.com) for tickets are now accessible on the Zoho Desk iOS app. You can easily rename, delete, or clear filters on the go. We have also introduced Sort options on the ticket listing screen, allowing
Big Things Just Dropped in the SalesIQ Universe: Top Upgrades You’ll Love in Nova’25
Nova'25 has landed, and it’s packed with meaningful upgrades to help you engage smarter, work faster, and scale with ease. Whether you're into proactive messaging, smarter automation, or better admin control, there's something here for everyone. Here's
Time Entries in Analytics
I am trying to import a zoho sheet into zoho analytics. In my sheets one of the columns has "time Entries" in this "format HH:MM am/pm" example 11:00 PM. After import, i noticed that analytics converted the time to "00 Jan 1900 23:00:00".. how do i maintain
Amazon invoice in Zoho Books
I have just made my first few sales on Amazon India. Amazon Seller account generates invoices for the sales made on Amazon. These invoices are sent to customers also. Now when I was only making offline sales, I used to create Invoices in Zoho Book. Now
Zoho Creator Upcoming Updates - November 2025
Hello everyone, Welcome to your monthly roundup of new features and enhancements! We hope you've already taken a look at Release Projection 2—it details the features coming your way for the rest of the year. And this month, we're excited to start rolling
Zoho Webinar + HubSpot : Simplifiez la gestion de vos données de webinaires
Les webinaires sont aujourd’hui essentiels pour interagir avec vos prospects et vos clients. Cependant, la gestion des données entre plusieurs plateformes peut vite devenir complexe. Grâce à la nouvelle intégration entre Zoho Webinar et HubSpot, vos outils
I am trying to give access to one of our educators access to 3 forms in Zoho and she is not able to view the data - Access issue
Hi Team, When I try to provide read access to one of our educators on Zoho for Pre-training , post training and Impact survey forms submit form access which also allows them to read , it does not show them data
How to book GST paid in zoho books
hi, i am a new user to Zoho books and not able to book GST paid in books, kindly suggest how i can book it in books. thanks, siddharth
PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK (CORPORATE) INDIA - NOT AVAILABLE IN BANKING
Dear sir, Kindly fix it. PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK (INDIA) is available but PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK (CORPORATE) is not available. Kindly enable this banking since we need to categorize the entries. Regards, Sanjay Jena email id/ user id : travewithmerchant@
Is it possible to create a word cloud chart in ZoHo Analystics?
Hi there, I have a volume of transaction text that I would like to analyse using word cloud (or other approcah to detect and present word frequency in a dataset). For example, I have 50,000 records describing menu items in restaurants. I want to be able
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
Facturation électronique 2026 - obligation dès le 1er septembre 2026
Bonjour, Je me permets de réagir à divers posts publiés ici et là concernant le projet de E-Invoicing, dans le cadre de la facturation électronique prévue très prochainement. Dans le cadre du passage à la facturation électronique pour les entreprises,
Your bot just got smarter: AI-Powered routing that reads between the lines
What if your bot could tell the difference? Between a visitor who just needs a quick answer, someone actively comparing options, and a frustrated customer one click away from leaving? Most bots can't. They deliver the same response to everyone, missing
Weekly Tips : Master Keyboard Shortcuts in Zoho Mail
If you spend a lot of time managing emails, switching between your mouse and keyboard can slow you down. Whether you are replying to clients, organizing your inbox, or searching for messages, every second counts. So, how can you streamline your email
Introducing custom lookup fields in the Tickets, Contacts, and Accounts modules
Hello all, We are excited to announce a new enhancement that will empower you to further customize the Tickets, Contacts, and Accounts modules. Now, you will be able to create custom lookup fields in your Tickets, Contacts, and Accounts layouts for more
DKIM cannot be enabled for the domain as no verified default selector present
Can't get the DKIM working. May you please check my account (nksy.us) to see what's wrong?
Contacts per department
Hello, Is it possible to limit Contacts to a Department? Thanks
Collections Management: #3 Tackling Payment Failures
Sam refreshed the dashboard. "Payment failed". Same customer. Same subscription. This is happening for the third time. He sends a usual email: "Your renewal payment failed again. Could you please check and retry?" A couple of days passed, and there was
How do I increase the email attachment size in Zoho CRM ?
It looks like I'm limited to 10MB when sending an attachment using the email widget on a record in Zoho CRM. Is there a way to increase the size? Or can I use some other tool? From what I'm reading online, I'm maxed out at 10MB. Any insight would be greatly
WhatsApp Channels in Zoho Campaigns
Now that Meta has opened WhatsApp Channels globally, will you add it to Zoho Campaigns? It's another top channel for marketing communications as email and SMS. Thanks.
Zoho sign and creator error message {"code":9043,"error_param":"Checked by","message":"Extra key found","status":"failure"}
Good day, I receive the error message: {"code":9043,"error_param":"Checked by","message":"Extra key found","status":"failure"} when running below code from creator to sign, void TestForSign(int ID) { //Fetch Template Details (Optional, for dynamic mapping)
Download a writer template as .docx instead of .pdf.
I have been trying to implement a feature to download a writer template as a .docx and got it working partly but it isn't good. Earlier I checked our code and I saw openurl("https://crm.zoho.com/crm/org121314/specific/Template.do?action=print&step=pdfPreview&id="
Allow the usage of Multi-Select fields as the primary field on "Layout Rules"
We want to force our users to enter some explanation strings when a multi-select field has been utilized. I can't understand the reason for the usage restriction of Multi-Select fields as a primary field. This is a simple "Display hidden mandatory field
Extract Archived Projects using Zoho Projects API
In my organization we archive the projects when they are already completed, charged, invoiced, so that only those that are still pending process remain active. I need to access all projects (active and archived) from an external system, but the API v3
Ask the Experts: Five-hour live Q&A session with Zoho WorkDrive product experts
Have questions about WorkDrive 5.0? Let’s talk! We recently launched Zoho WorkDrive 5.0, packed with powerful updates to help your team work smarter, stay secure, and get more value from your business content. From content-centric workflows and AI-powered
File upload support for subforms
Dear All, Subforms help you add and track data related to your CRM records. We've always supported most of the commonly used field types in subforms, so as to cater to your business requirements. Now we're happy to extend support to file upload fields.
Next Page