How to Report Missing Materials with Purple Tags (Electrical example)

Learn how to locate engineering part numbers in SharePoint prints and submit missing material reports using the Smartsheet WorkApps Purple Tag tracker.

May 20, 2026 By Drew Stewart

This guide explains how to identify missing materials using engineering prints in SharePoint and report them to the project team using the Purple Tag tracker in Smartsheet WorkApps. Properly logging exact part details ensures the supply chain team can order and deliver replacements to the site without delays.

This workflow applies to site installation and manufacturing teams, specifically mechanical and electrical supervisors or installers, when discovering missing components during cell construction or assembly.

Locate part details in engineering prints

Before logging a missing item, you must pull the precise part numbers and descriptions from the relevant engineering drawings in SharePoint.

Step #1: Click on the Build folder in your site's SharePoint directory. — Click on the **Build** folder in your site's SharePoint directory.

Step #2: Navigate into the AC site package folder. — Navigate into the **AC site package** folder.

Step #3: Select your specific cell folder, such as 02 - XIB321. — Select your specific cell folder, such as **02 - XIB321**.

Step #4: Click the 05 - Electrical print folder (or Mechanical, depending on the missing component). — Click the **05 - Electrical print** folder (or Mechanical, depending on the missing component).

Step #5: Click the vertical ellipsis next to the relevant PDP drawing file. — Click the vertical ellipsis next to the relevant PDP drawing file.

Step #6: Select Open in browser to view the engineering print in a new tab. — Select **Open in browser** to view the engineering print in a new tab.

Press Ctrl + F to open the document search bar.

Type the specific subprint or cell identifier (e.g., 1030) to locate the exact part on the Bill of Materials.

Keep this PDF tab open so you can copy and paste the precise component details directly into the tracking form.

Submit the Purple Tag tracker

Once you have your engineering prints ready, open Smartsheet to log the missing material.

Step #9: In Smartsheet, click the More menu (three dots) on the left sidebar and select WorkApps. — In Smartsheet, click the **More** menu (three dots) on the left sidebar and select **WorkApps**.

Step #10: Select your project app, such as Controls Electrical Super Grove City 3.0. — Select your project app, such as **Controls Electrical Super Grove City 3.0**.

Step #11: Click Purple and blockers here in the left navigation menu. — Click **Purple and blockers here** in the left navigation menu.

Step #12: Select Purple from the Orange/Purple/Blocker dropdown. — Select **Purple** from the Orange/Purple/Blocker dropdown.

Enter your name in the Reporter field.

Type your cell name or ID (e.g., 1030) to quickly filter the list and select it from the dropdown.

Step #15: Click the Area of missing material field and choose the relevant discipline, like AC electrical. — Click the **Area of missing material** field and choose the relevant discipline, like **AC electrical**.

Return to your open PDF print, copy the exact values from the Bill of Materials, and paste them into the remaining form fields to prevent ordering errors.

Paste the exact kit and tag number into the Kit and tag number field.

Paste the manufacturer part number into the Symbotic part number field.

Enter the required amount in the Quantity field.

Type Missing in the Probable cause field.

Paste the component's full name into the Description field.

Step #21: Select the appropriate discipline supervisor from the Email tag to dropdown. — Select the appropriate discipline supervisor from the **Email tag to** dropdown.

To help the supply chain team and supervisors, always attach a photo clearly showing where the material is missing on the machine.

Step #22: Click Browse in the File Upload section. — Click **Browse** in the File Upload section.

Step #23: Select the photo showing the missing material location. — Select the photo showing the missing material location.

Step #24: Click Open to attach the file. — Click **Open** to attach the file.

Step #25: Click Submit to finalize the tracker entry. — Click **Submit** to finalize the tracker entry.

If you are missing multiple distinct components in the same cell (e.g., two different types of sensor cables), you must submit a separate Purple Tag form entry for each unique item so they can be tracked individually.

FAQ

Q: How do I find WorkApps in Smartsheet if it's not visible?

A: Click the three dots (More menu) on the left sidebar and select WorkApps to open your available dashboards and forms.

Q: Why should I open SharePoint PDFs in the browser?

A: Opening the PDF directly in the browser allows you to easily zoom in on detailed technical drawings, search for specific part numbers using Ctrl + F, and quickly switch tabs to copy and paste details directly into your Smartsheet tracker.

Q: What if multiple different parts are missing in the same cell?

A: You must submit a separate form entry for each unique component or part number. Do not bundle different part numbers into one submission, as this disrupts ordering and tracking.

Glossary

Term	Definition
Purple Tag	A tracking label used to report and resolve missing materials or supply chain blockers.
PDP Print	Power Distribution Panel or equivalent detailed electrical schematic drawing.
WorkApp	A custom Smartsheet interface containing project-specific forms, trackers, and dashboards.