--- title: "Developer Guide to Get Employee Leave Data from Zoho People API" url: "https://getknit.dev/blog/developer-guide-to-get-employee-leave-data-from-zoho-people-api/" date: "2026-04-11T05:21:24+00:00" modified: "2026-04-12T05:25:02+00:00" type: "post" --- # Developer Guide to Get Employee Leave Data from Zoho People API [Blog](https://getknit.dev/blog) / [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) / Developer Guide to Get Employee Leave Data from Zoho People API [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) · April 11, 2026 Developer Guide to Get Employee Leave Data from Zoho People API =============================================================== ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/knit-website-media/2026/08/64c34ca1e0546a9d333bb35a_Kunal-3-112x112.png)Kunal Mishra 3 min read [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetknit.dev%2Fblog%2Fdeveloper-guide-to-get-employee-leave-data-from-zoho-people-api%2F) [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgetknit.dev%2Fblog%2Fdeveloper-guide-to-get-employee-leave-data-from-zoho-people-api%2F&text=Developer%20Guide%20to%20Get%20Employee%20Leave%20Data%20from%20Zoho%20People%20API) Table of Contents - [Introduction](#introduction) - [Pre-requisites](#pre-requisites) - [API Endpoints](#api-endpoints) - [Step-by-Step Process](#step-by-step-process) - [1. Get Leave Types](#1-get-leave-types) - [2. Get Holidays](#2-get-holidays) - [3. Fetch Single Record](#3-fetch-single-record) - [Common Pitfalls](#common-pitfalls) - [Top FAQs](#top-faqs) - [Knit for Zoho People API Integration](#knit-for-zoho-people-api-integration) Introduction ------------ This article is part of a broader series covering the [Zoho People](https://developers.getknit.dev/docs/getting-started-with-zoho-people-api) API in depth. It focuses on a high-frequency use case: retrieving employee leave data efficiently and reliably. If you’re building HR integrations or automating workforce workflows, this is not optional plumbing, it’s core infrastructure. For a complete breakdown of Zoho People API capabilities, including authentication and rate limits, refer to the full guide [here](/blog/zoho-people-api-guide/). ### Pre-requisites - Zoho People account with API access - OAuth token for authentication - Employee ID, email ID, or record ID ### API Endpoints - Get Leave Types: `https://people.zoho.com/people/api/leave/getLeaveTypeDetails?userId=` - Get Holidays: `https://people.zoho.com/people/api/leave/getHolidays?userId=` - Fetch Single Record: `https://people.zoho.com/people/api/forms/leave/getDataByID?recordId=` Step-by-Step Process -------------------- ### 1. Get Leave Types ``` import requests def get_leave_types(user_id, auth_token): url = f"https://people.zoho.com/people/api/leave/getLeaveTypeDetails?userId={user_id}" headers = {"Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {auth_token}"} response = requests.get(url, headers=headers) return response.json() # Example usage leave_types = get_leave_types("user@example.com", "your_auth_token") print(leave_types) ``` ### 2. Get Holidays ``` def get_holidays(user_id, auth_token): url = f"https://people.zoho.com/people/api/leave/getHolidays?userId={user_id}" headers = {"Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {auth_token}"} response = requests.get(url, headers=headers) return response.json() # Example usage holidays = get_holidays("user@example.com", "your_auth_token") print(holidays) ``` ### 3. Fetch Single Record ``` def fetch_single_record(record_id, auth_token): url = f"https://people.zoho.com/people/api/forms/leave/getDataByID?recordId={record_id}" headers = {"Authorization": f"Zoho-oauthtoken {auth_token}"} response = requests.get(url, headers=headers) return response.json() # Example usage record = fetch_single_record("413124000068132003", "your_auth_token") print(record) ``` Common Pitfalls --------------- - **Rate limits will break your flow** Zoho enforces strict limits. No throttling strategy = failed pipelines. - **Token handling is often sloppy** Expired or mis-scoped OAuth tokens are the #1 failure point. - **Identifier inconsistency creates silent errors** Mixing user ID, email, and record ID without validation leads to bad data pulls. - **Error handling is usually an afterthought** If you’re not actively parsing response codes, you’re flying blind. - **JSON parsing assumptions don’t hold** Field structures can vary, hardcoding schemas is a mistake. - **No retry logic = fragile integrations** Temporary failures will cascade without retries and backoff. - **Ignoring API changes will cost you later** Zoho updates APIs. If you’re not monitoring, your integration will degrade. Top FAQs -------- **Q: How do I obtain an OAuth token?** A: Generate it from the Zoho Developer Console. **Q: What is the rate limit for API calls?** A: 30 requests per minute with a 5-minute lock period. **Q: Can I use email ID instead of user ID?** A: Yes, both are supported. **Q: What data format is returned?** A: JSON format. **Q: How do I handle API errors?** A: Check the status code and error message in the response. **Q: Is there a sandbox environment?** A: Yes, Zoho provides a sandbox for testing. **Q: Can I fetch data for all employees?** A: Yes, but you need to iterate over each employee ID. Knit for Zoho People API Integration ------------------------------------ For quick and scalable access to the Zoho People API, [Knit ](/integration/zoho-people/)provides a cleaner path. One integration replaces multiple point solutions. Authentication, authorization, and ongoing maintenance are handled upfront, reducing engineering overhead and operational risk. The result: faster deployment, fewer breakpoints, and a more reliable integration stack. Building a Zoho People integration? Knit gives you three ways to build it. Pick the one that fits. - [Zoho People on Unified API](https://getknit.dev/integration/zoho-people/) Your customers want Zoho People and the other HRIS tools they use. Build one integration and get normalised read and write data with real-time webhooks. [Try free](https://dashboard.getknit.dev/signup) - [Zoho People on Integrations Agent](https://getknit.dev/ipaas-connectors/zoho-people/) You need one specific Zoho People workflow. Describe it in plain English and get production-ready code, not fixed iPaaS blocks. [Try free](https://agent.getknit.dev/) - [Zoho People MCP server](https://getknit.dev/mcp-servers/zoho-people-mcp-server/) Your AI agent needs to read and act in your customers' Zoho People. Use a pre-built, hosted MCP server instead of writing integration code. [Try free](https://mcphub.getknit.dev/) Knit's Unified API connects to 190+ apps across HRIS, ATS, CRM, accounting and more. Knit never stores your end users' data and is SOC 2, GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant: [How Knit handles security](/security/) · [Security Center](https://compliance.getknit.dev/) Not sure which fits? [Talk to a human](/book-demo/) ![](https://storage.googleapis.com/knit-website-media/2026/08/64c34ca1e0546a9d333bb35a_Kunal-3-112x112.png)Written by Kunal Mishra Changing integration landscape, one organization at a time‍ Keep Reading ------------ ![Zoho People API Directory](https://storage.googleapis.com/knit-website-media/2026/08/blog-banner-red-scaled-640x400.png) [API Directory](https://getknit.dev/blogs/api-directory/) ### [Zoho People API Directory](https://getknit.dev/blog/zoho-people-api-directory/) Learn how Zoho People APIs help teams automate HR workflows across onboarding, attendance, leave, HR cases, files, announcements, and LMS,… December 28, 2025 · 15 min read ![Zoho People API Guide](https://storage.googleapis.com/knit-website-media/2026/08/blog-banner-red-scaled-640x400.png) [API Directory](https://getknit.dev/blogs/api-directory/) ### [Zoho People API Guide](https://getknit.dev/blog/zoho-people-api-guide/) A comprehensive guide to the Zoho people API. February 26, 2024 · 12 min read ![How to Get an Okta API Token (Step-by-Step)](https://storage.googleapis.com/knit-website-media/2026/08/blog-banner-red-scaled-640x400.png) [Tutorials](https://getknit.dev/blogs/tutorials/) ### [How to Get an Okta API Token (Step-by-Step)](https://getknit.dev/blog/okta-api-key/) Generate an Okta API token in the Admin Console, add it as an SSWS Authorization header, and call the Okta… July 22, 2026 · 8 min read \#1 in Ease of Integrations --------------------------- ![4.9 out of 5 stars](/wp-content/themes/knit/assets/images/g2/g2-star-rating.svg) 4.9 out of 5 stars on G2 ![G2 Leader, Spring 2026](/wp-content/themes/knit/assets/images/g2/g2-leader.svg)![G2 Fastest Implementation, Spring 2026](/wp-content/themes/knit/assets/images/g2/g2-fastest-implementation.svg)![G2 High Performer, Spring 2026](/wp-content/themes/knit/assets/images/g2/g2-high-performer.svg)![G2 Best Est. ROI, Spring 2026](/wp-content/themes/knit/assets/images/g2/g2-best-roi.svg) Put Integrations on Autopilot. Talk to Experts. ----------------------------------------------- Knit is loved by customers across the globe due to our seamless product and white glove support. You'll love us too! [Talk to a Human](/book-demo)