Zoho People

Access the Zoho People API with managed OAuth authentication. Manage employees, departments, designations, attendance, leave, and custom HR forms with full CRUD operations.

Quick Start

# List all employees
python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?sIndex=1&limit=10')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Base URL

https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/{native-api-path}

Maton proxies requests to people.zoho.com and automatically injects your OAuth token.

Authentication

All requests require the Maton API key in the Authorization header:

Authorization: Bearer $MATON_API_KEY

Environment Variable: Set your API key as MATON_API_KEY:

export MATON_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"

Getting Your API Key

1. Sign in or create an account at maton.ai
2. Go to maton.ai/settings
3. Copy your API key

Connection Management (Maton Platform)

The following endpoints are Maton platform operations for managing the OAuth connection to Zoho People — they are not part of the Zoho People API itself. Only the endpoints listed in the API Reference section below are proxied to Zoho People.

List Connections

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections?app=zoho-people&status=ACTIVE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Create Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
data = json.dumps({'app': 'zoho-people'}).encode()
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Get Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections/{connection_id}')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "connection": {
    "connection_id": "{connection_id}",
    "status": "ACTIVE",
    "creation_time": "2026-02-06T07:42:07.681370Z",
    "last_updated_time": "2026-02-06T07:46:12.648445Z",
    "url": "https://connect.maton.ai/?session_token=...",
    "app": "zoho-people",
    "metadata": {}
  }
}

Open the returned url in a browser to complete OAuth authorization.

Delete Connection

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections/{connection_id}', method='DELETE')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Specifying Connection

If you have multiple Zoho People connections, specify which one to use with the Maton-Connection header:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Maton-Connection', '{connection_id}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

If you have multiple connections, always include this header to ensure requests go to the intended account.

Security & Permissions

• Access is scoped to employees, departments, designations, attendance, leave, and any form configured in the connected Zoho People account (including custom forms). The forms API can retrieve or modify records from any form by formLinkName.
• All write operations require explicit user approval. Before executing any create, update, or delete call, confirm the target resource and intended effect with the user.
• HR data is sensitive. Employee records contain personal information (names, emails, addresses, salary, etc.). Only access specific records the user explicitly requests — do not bulk-retrieve employee data without clear justification.

API Reference

Forms Operations

List All Forms

Get a list of all available forms in your Zoho People account.

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "response": {
    "result": [
      {
        "componentId": 943596000000035679,
        "iscustom": false,
        "displayName": "Employee",
        "formLinkName": "employee",
        "PermissionDetails": {
          "Add": 3,
          "Edit": 3,
          "View": 3
        },
        "isVisible": true,
        "viewDetails": {
          "view_Id": 943596000000035705,
          "view_Name": "P_EmployeeView"
        }
      }
    ],
    "message": "Data fetched successfully",
    "status": 0
  }
}

Employee Operations

List Employees (Bulk Records)

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?sIndex={startIndex}&limit={limit}

Query Parameters:

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?sIndex=1&limit=10')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "response": {
    "result": [
      {
        "943596000000294355": [
          {
            "FirstName": "Christopher",
            "LastName": "Brown",
            "EmailID": "christopherbrown@zylker.com",
            "EmployeeID": "S20",
            "Department": "Management",
            "Designation": "Administration",
            "Employeestatus": "Active",
            "Gender": "Male",
            "Date_of_birth": "02-Feb-1987",
            "Zoho_ID": 943596000000294355
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "message": "Data fetched successfully",
    "status": 0
  }
}

List Employees (View-based)

GET /zoho-people/api/forms/{viewName}/records?rec_limit={limit}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/api/forms/P_EmployeeView/records?rec_limit=10')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Search Employee by ID

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?SearchColumn=EMPLOYEEID&SearchValue={employeeId}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?SearchColumn=EMPLOYEEID&SearchValue=S20')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Search Employee by Email

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?SearchColumn=EMPLOYEEMAILALIAS&SearchValue={email}

Department Operations

List Departments

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/department/getRecords?sIndex={startIndex}&limit={limit}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/department/getRecords?sIndex=1&limit=50')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "response": {
    "result": [
      {
        "943596000000294315": [
          {
            "Department": "IT",
            "Department_Lead": "",
            "Parent_Department": "",
            "Zoho_ID": 943596000000294315
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "message": "Data fetched successfully",
    "status": 0
  }
}

Designation Operations

List Designations

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/designation/getRecords?sIndex={startIndex}&limit={limit}

Example:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/designation/getRecords?sIndex=1&limit=50')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "response": {
    "result": [
      {
        "943596000000294399": [
          {
            "Designation": "Team Member",
            "EEO_Category": "Professionals",
            "Zoho_ID": 943596000000294399
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "message": "Data fetched successfully",
    "status": 0
  }
}

Insert Record

Add a new record to any form.

POST /zoho-people/people/api/forms/json/{formLinkName}/insertRecord
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

inputData={field1:'value1',field2:'value2'}

Example - Create Department:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
from urllib.parse import urlencode

inputData = json.dumps({"Department": "Engineering"})
data = urlencode({"inputData": inputData}).encode()

req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/json/department/insertRecord', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Response:

{
  "response": {
    "result": {
      "pkId": "943596000000300001",
      "message": "Successfully Added"
    },
    "message": "Data added successfully",
    "status": 0
  }
}

Update Record

Modify an existing record.

POST /zoho-people/people/api/forms/json/{formLinkName}/updateRecord
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

inputData={field1:'newValue'}&recordId={recordId}

Example - Update Employee:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
from urllib.parse import urlencode

inputData = json.dumps({"Department": "Engineering"})
data = urlencode({
    "inputData": inputData,
    "recordId": "943596000000294355"
}).encode()

req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/json/employee/updateRecord', data=data, method='POST')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
req.add_header('Content-Type', 'application/x-www-form-urlencoded')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Leave Operations

List Leave Records

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/leave/getRecords?sIndex={startIndex}&limit={limit}

Add Leave

POST /zoho-people/people/api/forms/json/leave/insertRecord
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

inputData={Employee_ID:'EMP001',Leavetype:'123456',From:'01-Feb-2026',To:'02-Feb-2026'}

Attendance Operations

Note: Attendance endpoints require additional OAuth scopes.

Get Attendance Entries

GET /zoho-people/people/api/attendance/getAttendanceEntries?date={date}&dateFormat={format}

Parameters:

Check-In/Check-Out

POST /zoho-people/people/api/attendance
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

dateFormat=dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm:ss&checkIn={datetime}&checkOut={datetime}&empId={empId}

Common Form Link Names

Pagination

Zoho People uses index-based pagination:

GET /zoho-people/people/api/forms/{formLinkName}/getRecords?sIndex=1&limit=200

• sIndex: Starting index (1-based)
• limit: Number of records per request (max 200)

For subsequent pages:

• Page 1: sIndex=1&limit=200
• Page 2: sIndex=201&limit=200
• Page 3: sIndex=401&limit=200

Code Examples

JavaScript

const response = await fetch(
  'https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords?sIndex=1&limit=10',
  {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.MATON_API_KEY}`
    }
  }
);
const data = await response.json();

Python

import os
import requests

response = requests.get(
    'https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms/employee/getRecords',
    headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}'},
    params={'sIndex': 1, 'limit': 10}
)
data = response.json()

Notes

• Record IDs are numeric strings (e.g., 943596000000294355)
• The Zoho_ID field in responses contains the record ID
• Maximum 200 records per GET request
• Insert/Update operations use form-urlencoded data with inputData JSON
• Date format varies by field and organization settings
• Some endpoints (attendance, leave) require additional OAuth scopes. If you receive an INVALID_OAUTHSCOPE error, contact Maton support at support@maton.ai with the specific operations/APIs you need and your use-case
• Response structure wraps data in response.result[] array
• IMPORTANT: When using curl commands, use curl -g when URLs contain special characters
• IMPORTANT: When piping curl output to jq or other commands, environment variables like $MATON_API_KEY may not expand correctly in some shell environments

Error Handling

Common Error Codes

Troubleshooting: API Key Issues

1. Check that the MATON_API_KEY environment variable is set:

echo $MATON_API_KEY

1. Verify the API key is valid by listing connections:

python <<'EOF'
import urllib.request, os, json
req = urllib.request.Request('https://api.maton.ai/connections')
req.add_header('Authorization', f'Bearer {os.environ["MATON_API_KEY"]}')
print(json.dumps(json.load(urllib.request.urlopen(req)), indent=2))
EOF

Troubleshooting: Invalid App Name

1. Ensure your URL path starts with zoho-people. For example:

• Correct: https://api.maton.ai/zoho-people/people/api/forms
• Incorrect: https://api.maton.ai/people/api/forms

Resources

• Zoho People API Overview
• Get Bulk Records API
• Fetch Forms API
• Insert Record API
• Update Record API
• Attendance API
• Leave API
• Maton Community
• Maton Support