How do I connect Zoho Invoice with Gmail to create and attach paid invoices as PDFs?

Hi @fil-design 

Good question.

To help us have more context, please post detailed screenshots with how your Zap steps are configured.

Help article about using files in Zaps: https://help.zapier.com/hc/en-us/articles/8496288813453

Hi @Troy Tessalone thanks for your reply, I’ll attach the screenshots!

@fil-design 

The Attachments field expects a file URL or a file object.

A file URL needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link.

You can test this by copy/paste the link into a browser, which should start a download of the file immediately.

If it does not, then it is not the correct link to use.

Troy Tessalone wrote:

@fil-design

The Attachments field expects a file URL or a file object.

A file URL needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link.

You can test this by copy/paste the link into a browser, which should start a download of the file immediately.

If it does not, then it is not the correct link to use.

 

Thanks @Troy Tessalone 

Is there a work around for this? so I can attach the invoice? And Zoho invoice marks them as “needed to pay” when I want them to be paid invoice! 

Thanks

@fil-design 

You’d likely have to use the Zoho Invoices API:

https://www.zoho.com/invoice/api/v3/invoices/#update-an-invoice

App APIs can be used in Zaps via these apps:

• Code
• Webhooks

@Troy Tessalone thank you very mich! With zoho API i can change the status of the invoice to paid, but how can I resolve the invoice being attached in the email? How can I get a direct link? Is it possible through the API?

@fil-design

Is the invoice available as a file to download from the Zoho Invoice UI?

If yes, then post screenshots with what that looks like in the UI.

If it’s a button or link, then you have to determine the URL that is being invoked from the button/link.

The Attachments field expects a file URL or a file object.

A file URL needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link.

You can test this by copy/paste the link into a browser, which should start a download of the file immediately.

If it does not, then it is not the correct link to use.

@Troy Tessalone thanks I think I found a work around for this. I’m now facing problem with the code by zapier, I can’t get my zoho invoice API to work. Is there a mini tutorial to follow for changing the status? I cant get it to work with just the zoho invoice api

@fil-design 

You’ll have to rely on the Zoho Invoice API documentation for guidance.

You can use a Webhook app to make the API request instead of a Code step.

@Troy Tessalone can you suggest me one that works with the free plan?

Hi @Troy Tessalone I’m now getting a new error when trying to attach the download file (I just copied the link that triggers when downloading the invoice from my dashboard) and it says: The app returned "The request could not be authenticated as the authentication value you entered is invalid. Enter a valid authentication value and try again.".

Only when using this particular link

@fil-design 

If you use the Webhooks app, that is a Premium app, which requires a Zapier paid plan.

@fil-design 

We would need to see updated screenshots with how your Zap step is configured along with the encountered error in order for us to have proper visibility.

thanks @Troy Tessalone i managed to solve it. I’m now creating the invoice correctly and setting their value to “sent” instaed of draft, but how do i keep my api token refreshed? I mean it expires every hour...

@fil-design 

You could add the authentication access/refresh flow into your Zap steps.

how? with code by zapier? because I’m changing the invoice status with javascript but I don’t know how to keep the token updated inwithin zapier with just code

@Troy Tessalone 

@fil-design 

Have you tried asking ChatGPT for help generating the JavaScript code to do the authentication access/refresh?