Zoho CRM comes with standard modules like Leads, Accounts, and Contacts built in, but you can also create custom modules to store organization-specific data. This guide explains how to access and create modules in Zoho CRM.
Why this matters
Understanding how to retrieve and create modules is essential when you need to organize data beyond the default CRM structure. Whether you're tracking project-specific information, managing custom workflows, or storing unique business data, knowing how to work with modules ensures your Zoho CRM setup matches your organization's needs.
Step-by-step
Step 1. Access the Modules section
Log into your Zoho CRM account and navigate to Settings. Under the customization options, locate and select Modules. This is where you can view all available modules—both standard and custom—within your workspace [1].
Step 2. View existing modules
Once in the Modules section, you'll see a list of all current modules. Standard modules (Leads, Accounts, Contacts, Deals, etc.) are available by default. Any custom modules your organization has created will also appear here [1].
Step 3. Create a custom module (manual method)
If you need a new module, click the dropdown beside Create at the top right corner and select Module. Enter a descriptive Module Name and Record Name (which defines how individual entries will be labeled). Provide a module description, then choose whether this should be a project-level or workspace-level module. Click Create to proceed to the layout configuration page, where you can manually add the fields you need [1].
Step 4. Create a custom module with AI assistance
Alternatively, click Create with AI instead of the manual option. Enter your module name and description, and the AI will suggest relevant custom fields based on your description. Review the suggested fields, select the ones you need, and click Save or Save and Associate [1].
Step 5. Publish and deploy
After configuring your layout, click Save and Publish or Save Layout to finalize the module. Once published, your custom module becomes accessible—either within specific projects (if it's a project module) or from the Global module section (if it's workspace-level) [1].
Step 6. Import existing data (optional)
If you have pre-existing data to populate your new module, you can import it directly. This allows you to start using the module immediately without manual data entry [1].
Step 7. Customize with automations
After creation, tailor your module further using automations such as layout rules, custom functions, and webhooks to align with your workflow [1].
Common pitfalls
- Forgetting to publish: Creating a module layout is not enough—you must click Save and Publish for the module to become accessible to users.
- Unclear Record Names: Choose a Record Name that clearly describes individual entries (e.g., "Project Task" rather than "Item") to avoid confusion when viewing records.
- Permission gaps: Remember that you can set permissions at both entity and field levels. Ensure the right profiles have access to your custom modules before rolling them out [1].
What to check
- Verify that your new module appears in the correct location (project-specific or workspace-level) after publishing.
- Confirm that all required fields are present in your module layout and match your data structure.
- Test that users with the appropriate permissions can access and create records in the custom module.
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*This article is provided by Beam Help — independent expert support for Zoho. We are not official Zoho support.*