How to Dynamically Hide Fields in Zoho Creator Based on User Roles

01.07.24 07:40 PM - By CreatorScripts

Digital Walkthrough: Tailoring User Experiences Within an Application

In today's digital walkthrough, we're diving into the art of tailoring user experiences within an application. Picture this: you're using a sample app designed for employee fuel reimbursements. Now, depending on who's logged in—an employee or an administrator—the form adapts, showing only the relevant fields each user needs to see. It's a clever way to streamline processes and keep things neat and professional.

Sample App Scenario

Let's break down how this works using our sample app scenario. For employees, the form will display fields pertinent to their trip details and fuel costs. For administrators, it goes a step further by including additional fields for approval processes. This selective visibility ensures that each user interacts only with the information necessary for their role.

Configuration Process

To set this up, we start by defining two user roles within our application: 'Admin' and 'Employee'. Assume here that all employees report to an admin. Our goal is to create a workflow that conceals the admin-specific fields from employees when they log in.

Steps to Configure

  1. Access the Workflow Section: From your app’s editor, navigate to the workflow section.
  2. Create a New Workflow: Select the form affected and specify that this workflow should trigger whenever a record is created or edited.
  3. Define the Workflow Logic: Using Deluge, a scripting language, we'll write a script that:
    • Identifies the logged-in user's role based on their user ID.
    • Checks if the user is not an admin.
    • Hides the admin-specific fields such as 'Approval Status', 'Admin Comments', and 'Date of Approval/Rejection' for non-admins.
  4. Save and Test: After setting up the script, save your changes and test the form by logging in as both an employee and an admin to ensure that the fields are displayed appropriately.

Example Script

 var userID = thisapp.permissions.roleForUser(zoho.loginuserID); if (userID != "admin") {     hide "Approval Status";     hide "Admin Comments";     hide "Date of Approval/Rejection"; }         

Conclusion

As an admin, you’ll see all the fields, clear and accessible. Switch to an employee login, and you’ll notice the admin fields are neatly tucked away, invisible and inaccessible, allowing employees to focus solely on the necessary fields.

This method not only secures sensitive information but also customizes the user interface to enhance user experience based on roles. It's a practical approach to application design that can be replicated across various forms and scenarios within your business processes.

Remember, the key here is flexibility and precision in how information is presented to different users, ensuring efficiency and confidentiality. Whether you're looking to implement similar functionalities or curious about more ways to enhance your applications, stay tuned. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to keep up with all things related to efficient app management. Thanks for joining me today, and I look forward to exploring more tech tips in upcoming videos!

User-Specifc Forms FAQ

What is a user-specific experience in an application?

A user-specific experience in an application is a tailored interface and workflow that adjusts based on the role of the logged-in user. This approach ensures that users see and interact only with the information and features relevant to their specific role, enhancing usability and efficiency.


How can user-specific forms improve my application?

User-specific forms improve your application by streamlining the user experience, preventing information overload, and enhancing efficiency. By showing only the relevant fields to each user role, it helps maintain a clean and professional interface, ensuring that sensitive information is protected and only accessible by authorized personnel.


What are the steps to customize forms based on user roles?

To customize forms based on user roles, follow these steps:

  1. Access the Workflow Section in your app editor.
  2. Create a New Workflow, specifying that it triggers whenever a record is created or edited.
  3. Define the Workflow Logic using a scripting language like Deluge to check the user role and adjust form fields accordingly.
  4. Save and Test the form by logging in as different user roles to ensure the fields are displayed correctly.

Can you provide an example script for hiding fields?

Sure! Here's an example script in Deluge for hiding admin-specific fields from employees:

var userID = thisapp.permissions.roleForUser(zoho.loginuserID); if (userID != "admin") {     hide "Approval Status";     hide "Admin Comments";     hide "Date of Approval/Rejection"; }

Why is it important to test after setting up the script?

Testing after setting up the script is crucial to ensure that the logic works as expected and that the correct fields are shown or hidden based on the user role. This helps in verifying that the customization effectively streamlines the user experience and secures sensitive information.


What benefits does a tailored user experience offer in terms of security?

A tailored user experience enhances security by restricting access to sensitive data based on user roles. This ensures that only authorized users can view and interact with critical information, thereby protecting against unauthorized access and potential data breaches.


Can this approach be replicated in other forms and scenarios?

Yes, this approach can be replicated across various forms and scenarios within your business processes. By tailoring the user experience to specific roles, you can enhance efficiency and security in different applications, whether for workflows, approvals, data entry, or other functionalities.


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