Build ZohoDesk-Connected Apps in Bubble

Bubble is a no-code platform that simplifies the process of developing and launching apps and businesses. When coupled with CData Connect AI, you gain effortless no-code access to ZohoDesk data for streamlined app development. This article guides you through the integration process from Bubble to ZohoDesk using CData Connect AI.

CData Connect AI provides a pure cloud-to-cloud OData interface for ZohoDesk data that allows you to integrate from Bubble to ZohoDesk data in real time.

Connect to ZohoDesk from Bubble

To work with ZohoDesk data from Bubble, we need to connect to ZohoDesk from Connect AI, provide user access to the connection, and create a Workspace for the ZohoDesk data.

Connect to ZohoDesk from Connect AI

CData Connect AI uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources.

1. Log into Connect AI, click Sources, and then click Add Connection

2. Select "ZohoDesk" from the Add Connection panel

3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to ZohoDesk.

   To connect to Zoho Desk, register a Server-based Application in the Zoho Developer Console (accounts.zoho.com/developerconsole). Set the Authorized Redirect URI to https://oauth.cdata.com/oauth/. Note the Client Id and Client Secret. Then set the following:

   • OAuth Client Id: The Client Id from your Zoho Developer Console application.
   • OAuth Client Secret: The Client Secret from your Zoho Developer Console application.
   • Organization: (Optional) The Id of your Zoho Desk organization, found in the Organizations table.
   • Domain: (Optional) Your Zoho region domain — .com (default), .eu, .com.au, or .in.

   Click Sign In to complete OAuth authentication.

   
4. Click Save & Test
5. Navigate to the Permissions tab in the Add ZohoDesk Connection page and update the User-based permissions.

Add a Personal Access Token

When connecting to Connect AI through the REST API, the OData API, or the Virtual SQL Server, a Personal Access Token (PAT) is used to authenticate the connection to Connect AI. It is best practice to create a separate PAT for each service to maintain granularity of access.

1. Click on the Gear icon () at the top right of the Connect AI app to open the settings page.
2. On the Settings page, go to the Access Tokens section and click Create PAT.
3. Give the PAT a name and click Create.
4. The personal access token is only visible at creation, so be sure to copy it and store it securely for future use.

Configure ZohoDesk Endpoints for Bubble

After connecting to ZohoDesk, create a workspace for your desired table(s).

1. Navigate to the Workspaces page and click Add to create a new Workspace (or select an existing workspace).
2. Click Add to add new assets to the Workspace.
3. Select the ZohoDesk connection (e.g. API1) and click Next.
4. Select the table(s) you wish to work with and click Confirm.
5. Make note of the OData Service URL for your workspace, e.g. https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/{workspace_name}

With the connection, PAT, and Workspace configured, you are ready to connect to ZohoDesk data from Bubble.

Build a ZohoDesk-Connected App

With OData endpoints added to Connect AI, you can build an app in Bubble with live access to ZohoDesk data.

Configure the Bubble API Connector

To start, Configure the API Connector for accessing CData Connect AI from Bubble.

1. In your app, click the Plugins tab and click Add plugins
2. Search for "API Connector" and click Install
3. After installation, click the "Add another API" button and configure the API:
   • Name the API
   • Set Authentication to "HTTP Basic Auth"
   • Set Username to a Connect AI user (e.g. [email protected])
   • Set Password to the PAT for the user
   • Expand the API Call, select the "GET" command and set the URL to a Workspace endpoint you previously configured (e.g. https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/{workspace_name}/AccessibleOrganizations)
   
4. Click the "Initialize call" button to adjust data types in the response (as needed)
5. After making any necessary changes, click "Save"

Configure the App UI

With the API Connector configure, you are ready to retrieve ZohoDesk data in your Bubble app. In this article, we request the data with a UI component that can display an Excel-like table.

1. On the Plugin tab, install the "Excel-like HandsonTable"
2. On the Design tab, add an "Excel Table" to the workspace
3. In the Excel Table, in Data source, select "Get data from an external API"
4. Set Type of content to "API Call value"
5. Set Data source to "CData Connect AI - API Call's value" (or equivalent)
6. Click "Preview" to ensure the data was retrieved from ZohoDesk.

At this point, you can develop applications with live access to ZohoDesk data without needing to know the complexities of the back-end API.

Live Access to ZohoDesk Data from Cloud Applications

Now you have a direct connection to live ZohoDesk data from Bubble. You can create more ZohoDesk-connected apps — all without writing any code or replicating ZohoDesk data.

To get live data access to hundreds of SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources directly from your cloud applications, see the CData Connect AI.