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Tips & FAQ

Find out why you should always use the provided bid sheet template and how to resolve errors when uploading your bids

Updated over a week ago

💎 Our top tip 💎


✅ Quick check

☑️ You have uploaded the newest version of the available bid sheet template (filled with your bids)

☑️ There is no content underneath the bid sheet table (images or added comments)

☑️ You have not changed the structure of the bid sheet (no added rows or columns)

☑️ You haven't changed the name of the available worksheets

☑️ You have entered only numbers into cells/columns that require price inputs or are marked as numbers only

❓Frequently asked questions

General access

What languages are currently supported?

English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Chinese. The Archlet App is available in English or uses your browser settings by default. Users can change the language in the user profile settings.

How do I get login details?/How do I get an account for the Archlet App?

You will be invited by email. You currently need to be invited by the sourcing organization. You will receive an email with a link to activate your account.

You will be asked to set your password as a first-time user or to enter a password you had set previously.


Can I share my account with a colleague?

We do not recommend this. Generally speaking, accounts should always be named. This means that only one person access the account with their specific email address and password. This is both a recommendation from an IT security perspective but also for auditing purposes as it’s impossible to track who performed which changes.

If another colleague needs access, reach out to your contact at the sourcing organization and they can invite your colleague to the event, so they also have access.

We’d be interested to learn more about why you would need to share your account and how we can help here. So, if you find a minute, share your feedback with us.


How can I access the Archlet App?

Archlet is a browser-based tool, so all you need is the URL to the platform, your account email and your (temporary) password.

For the best experience, we recommend using an up-to-date browser and our users prefer Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.


How many accounts can be created?

As many as necessary, but one or two accounts per supplier and event should be enough. The sourcing organization has to invite you and all of your colleagues and ensure everyone accessing the event receives their own named account and login details.

Are there different user roles for suppliers in the Archlet App?

No. There's currently only one supplier role in the Archlet App. Permission levels are the same for each user.

Have a question? How to communicate with the sourcing organization.

If you’ve run into an issue, have questions while uploading your bid, or are simply unsure about the next steps, it’s easy to get in touch with the project lead.

Follow these quick steps to start a conversation within the platform:

  1. Log in to your account.

  2. Open the project you were invited to by clicking on it.

  3. In the left-hand panel, click on the chat icon — this is your Communication tab.

You may now send a direct message, have a 1:1 conversation with the project lead and even attach pictures/documents if necessary.

Don't forget to click send 😉

Still need assistance? Our support team is here to help!

How to share additional documents with the sourcing organization

If the sourcing organization requires you to upload a document—or if you simply need to share one—there are two ways to do it:

  • Upload Documents via the Project Overview Page

  1. Log in and open the relevant project.

  2. On the Project Overview page, find the "Documents" division.

  3. Attach your files in the “Documents uploaded by your company” section

  • Share Documents via the Communication Tab

If the deadline has passed or you were unable to upload the document through the overview page:

  1. Go to the Communication tab by clicking the chat icon on the left-hand panel

  2. In the chat window, look just below the message box and click Attach files

  3. Select the file you want to share, type a quick message to the project lead, and don’t forget to click send

This ensures your document reaches the buyer even after the regular upload window has closed.

Still have questions? Contact our support team for help.

🔍 Can't Find the Feedback shared by the sourcing organization?

If you're having trouble locating the feedback shared by the sourcing organization— especially after Round 2 has been published—don’t worry! Here's how to find it:

✅ Option 1: Use the Email link

When feedback is available, you’ll receive an email notification.
Just click the link in the email, and it will take you directly to the relevant round and feedback in the app.

✅ Option 2: View Feedback In-App

You can also access the feedback manually within Archlet:

  1. Log into your account.

  2. Open the relevant project.

  3. In the left-hand panel, click on the Bid Sheet tab.

  4. At the top right corner, use the round selector dropdown to switch to Round 1 (or any round where feedback was provided).

⚠️ By default, the platform shows the latest round. If the feedback was from Round 1, you must switch to that round to view it.

How to Review Flagged Items

To focus on items marked for your attention:

  • Use the “Marked for review” column inside the Bid Sheet.

  • Apply a filter to see only the items that require your review or were flagged by the buyer.

Bids

Can I use my own bid sheet?

No. You should always use the template provided by the sourcing organization.

This ensures that all suppliers and their bids can be treated the same and that no errors occur on either side.

You should not add or delete any columns and rows as this might distort the readability.

Where do I find the bid sheet?

In the bidding sheet section of the event. You can find the template the sourcing organization has prepared in the bidding sheet section within the respective event.

How do you get there?

Click on the project and find the vertical navigation bar on the left. Select the icon below the dashboard icon.

Error message - What can I do?

Please ensure the error is not caused by an upload timeout or an unstable internet connection. If that is not the case, Archlet will display a relevant error message to help you resolve the issue. Possible causes include using an incompatible file format or a worksheet with an incorrect name. If you are unable to fix the problem after following the instructions, feel free to contact the sourcing organization via the in-app Chat or the Archlet team via Bubble Chat for further assistance.

What does “We detected some changes” mean?

Archlet will tell you that it has successfully overwritten previous content in a newly uploaded bid sheet.

Can I change the provided bid sheet template?

Only to add your bids. To avoid any errors or missing items and quotes, please do not change the bid sheet by manually adding rows, columns or additional items.

These unrecognized changes can lead to failed uploads or an incorrect bid submission.

Updated the bid sheet. What do i need to do?

It may occur that the sourcing organization decides to adjust their bid sheet structure after they have published the event or even after you have filled in your first bids.

In that case, the best thing to do is to download the template again and fill in your bids. You will find the bid sheet available below:

Can I delete some rows or columns that are irrelevant to me?

No. Deleting rows and columns will result in errors and incorrect bids. Archlet will either drop quotes for articles with missing information or will prohibit the submission process. You can visually detect such a case, because the Submit button will be disabled.

By leaving the row or column empty, Archlet will know that you haven't submitted any bids for the item.


⁉️ Common errors guide

Find a selection of approaches how to resolve the most common errors. You will typically also find guidance on the screen about the detected error and can reach out via support chat to troubleshoot the error.

Cannot fill in or submit bids. Why and what can I do?

Please have a look below what might be the cause and edit your bid sheet accordingly to be able to upload and submit again:

1. You are working in a copied version of the Bid sheet template

When copy-pasting the bid sheet into a new Excel file. This can cause issues due to hidden and protected columns that are not copied across. When you try to upload such a bid sheet, Archlet detects an incorrect bid sheet template and will block you from submitting.

​2. You have deleted some columns

Download the bid sheet template again and copy-paste your existing bids into the desired structure. Take care to paste them correctly as

some columns might have moved.

Error message that columns are missing

3. You have changed the name of one or more columns

This will result in the same error message as above but should also be easy to fix! Download the bid sheet template again and copy-paste the column names across or use the template to copy your existing bids into the desired structure.

Error message that columns are missing

4. You have deleted some rows

This will result in Archlet interpreting your file as corrupted as some the total number of items has changed. Download the bid sheet template again and copy-paste your existing bids into the desired structure - without removing any items. Leave items you don't want to bid for empty or enter 0. It's best to not enter any characters such as - as this might lead to other problems with data validation.

After reverting to the original rows, remember to save the new file, upload and submit it again.

5. You have changed item IDs

This will result in Archlet ignoring the item with the changed item and ignore the item (and any quoted prices). Download the bid sheet template again and copy-paste your existing bids into the desired structure - without changing any items. Use the column Comments instead if you want to add some more information.

How to detect this error:

After re-stating the original item ID, remember to save the new file, upload and submit it again.

6. You have circumvented data validation and entered text where only a number input are accepted

This will result in Archlet interpreting your file as corrupted as the required input style has not been adhered to. Download the bid sheet template again and copy-paste your existing bids into the desired structure - but pay special attention to columns called price or cost. These columns typically only accept a number input. Leave such cells empty or enter 0 if you don't want to bid for the item. Use the column Comments instead if you want to add some more information.

This is a bit more difficult to detect as Archlet will flag the incorrect cell in red and only tell you that it has updated the item.

If you scroll through the table, the cell containing incorrect data is highlighted in red:

This means that the format of the cell is not accepted by Archlet as it doesn't match the format the sourcing manager has defined.

❗Remember to save the new file, upload and submit it again.

📝 How to Complete and Submit the Questionnaire

When participating in a sourcing event, the first step is usually to complete the questionnaire provided by the sourcing organization. Here's how to navigate and submit it successfully:

✅ Step-by-Step: Filling Out the Questionnaire

  1. Log in to your Archlet account.

  2. Upon login, you’ll see a list of tasks — the first one is typically the questionnaire. Click on “Go to Questionnaire.”

⚠️ You must complete all required fields (marked with an asterisk); otherwise, the tool will not allow you to submit.

As you go, Archlet will track your progress and show how many questions you've answered.

Once you've completed the questionnaire, a pop-up window will appear letting you know it’s ready to be submitted.

Click on “Submit Responses.”

✅ How to Confirm Your Submission

After submitting, you’ll see a confirmation message in the Tasks section:

“You have submitted your answers.”

This confirms that your questionnaire has been successfully submitted to the sourcing organization.

Still have questions? Contact our support team and we’ll be happy to help!

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