Tracking Your Purchase Requests

What is this page about: How to track a purchase request's status in Light, what each status (Pending, Approved, Rejected, Failed) means, and what to do next at each stage.

# On this page

• Finding your purchase requests
• Understanding request statuses
• Messages and notifications
• Following up on delayed requests
• After approval: purchase orders
• What if you need to change your request?
• Viewing past requests
• FAQ
• Getting help
• Related articles

Once you've filed a purchase request, you can track its status as it moves through the approval process. Light updates you at every step, so you always know what's happening with your request.

# Finding your purchase requests

To find your submitted purchase requests, go to Purchase requests in Light's main menu. This shows every request you've filed, in one list.

1. Open Light
2. Go to Purchase requests in the main menu
3. You'll see a list of your requests with their current status

Each request in the list shows:

• Request number
• Vendor
• Requester
• Submit date
• Status (see below)
• Amount

# Understanding request statuses

Every purchase request in Light is always in one of four statuses: Pending, Approved, Rejected, or Failed.

# Pending

Your request is waiting for your finance or procurement team to review it. This typically takes 1 to 2 business days.

# Approved

Your request has been approved. Here's what happens next:

• Depending on what you requested, a Purchase Order is automatically created or a vendor card is issued
• Your finance team may contact the vendor directly to place the order
• If a Purchase Order was created, you can view it from the Documents tab on the request. It shows the PO number (or "PO number pending" until one is assigned) and delivery details, if they've been filled in
• Your team takes it from here, so in most cases you can leave the request alone

# Rejected

Your approver declined the request. You'll see their rejection note, which might mention:

• Budget constraints
• Vendor not approved
• Incomplete information
• Policy issue

You can resubmit with changes, or contact your manager to discuss.

# Failed

If a purchase request fails due to a technical issue (e.g., problems creating a vendor card or setting up payment), you'll see a red Failed badge on the request. For details on what went wrong and what to do next, contact your finance or procurement team.

# Messages and notifications

Light notifies you in-app, by push, and in Slack or Teams when a request is Approved or Rejected.

Read these messages carefully, because they often include next steps or what you need to do.

# Following up on delayed requests

If a request has been pending more than 2 business days, contact your manager or your finance/procurement team directly for an update.

# After approval: purchase orders

Once a request is approved with a Purchase Order (PO) outcome, the PO becomes the official document sent to the vendor. You can view it from the Documents tab on the request. It can include:

• PO number (or "PO number pending" until one is assigned)
• Description of items
• Price and payment terms
• Delivery information, if provided
• Any special instructions

If your request instead resulted in a vendor card being issued, the card itself is used to make the purchase and acts in place of a PO.

Your finance team handles communicating the PO to the vendor, but you might still receive:

• Order confirmation emails from the vendor
• Tracking information if it's a shipment
• An invoice when the order is complete

# What if you need to change your request?

While a request is Pending, you can edit it yourself if you have edit permission. Look for an Edit button on the request.

• While pending: If you have edit permission, you'll see an Edit button on the request. Update the details, then Save (or Cancel to discard your changes). Without that permission, ask your finance or procurement team, and an admin can update the request on your behalf.
• After approval: Contact your finance team if changes are needed, as they may need to amend the purchase order.

# Viewing past requests

Your full purchase request history is stored in Light and can be filtered by Requester, Vendor, or Status.

This is helpful for:

• Budget tracking
• Vendor history
• Reviewing past approvals

# FAQ

How do I check the status of my purchase request?

Go to Purchase requests in Light's main menu. Your requests are listed with their current status, amount, and submission date.

What are the possible statuses for a purchase request?

Pending, Approved, Rejected, or Failed. Every request is always in exactly one of these four states.

How long does "Pending" take?

Usually 1 to 2 business days, depending on your finance or procurement team's workload.

Will I be notified if my request fails?

Push and Slack or Teams alerts cover Approved and Rejected. To spot a failed request, check the Purchase requests list in Light directly.

Can I edit a purchase request after submitting it?

Yes, while it's Pending and if you have edit permission. Use the Edit button on the request. Otherwise a finance or procurement admin can edit it for you.

What happens after my request is approved?

Depending on what you requested, Light either automatically creates a Purchase Order (viewable in the Documents tab) or issues a vendor card. Where the outcome is a vendor card, the card stands in for the PO.

Who do I contact if my request is delayed?

Your manager or your finance and procurement team. Reach out to them directly if a request has been pending more than 2 business days.

# Getting help

Questions about your purchase request status? Reach out to:

• Your manager: They know your budget and approval process
• Finance/Procurement team: They handle the approvals
• Light AI assistant: Ask the assistant in Light to look up your purchase requests and their current status
• Light support: Check the Light app's help section if you have app-related questions

# Related articles

• Filing a Purchase Request
• Your Light Card
• Card Spending Limits and Policies