# e-Approval

Submit documents for approval, track where they stand in the process, and sign off on the ones that land in your queue. This chapter covers the full approval workflow, from initiating a request to closing it out.

# Navigating e-Approval

---

<span style="font-size: 13px;">The E-Approval module allows you to create and submit approval requests digitally within GSAS. Instead of handling physical documents around the office, everything is done within the system, from drafting and submitting a request to getting it approved and finalized.</span>

Folder Reference

What each folder in the e-Approval module contains and what you can expect to find there.

### My Documents

Documents you have created yourself.

[![mydocs.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/mydocs.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/mydocs.png)

<table id="bkmrk-submitted-documents-" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 30%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Submitted</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents you have submitted for approval.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Rejected</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents that have been rejected by an approver. Once you edit and resubmit a rejected document, it is removed from this folder and updated to a new version.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Saved Drafts</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents you have saved but not yet submitted. Also where reverted submissions are returned to for further editing.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Deleted</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Drafts you have deleted.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### To Be Processed

Documents assigned to you that require your action.

<table id="bkmrk-internal-approval-in" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 30%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Internal Approval</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Internal requests waiting for your approval. You will be notified when a document reaches your turn in the approval line.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">External Approval</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Requests received from external institutions waiting for your approval. External approvals are only visible to you once the <span style="font-size: 11px; background-color: #eef4fb; color: #185fa5; padding: 2px 6px; border-radius: 3px; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 4px;">Receiver Manager</span> of your institution forwards it to you.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">On Hold</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents you have placed on hold while you decide whether to approve or reject them. You can return to them at any time to take action.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Outgoing <span style="font-size: 11px; background-color: #eef4fb; color: #185fa5; padding: 2px 6px; border-radius: 3px; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 4px;">Sender Manager only</span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Approved documents ready to be dispatched to external institutions. Only visible to users with the Sender Manager role.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Processed

Documents you have already taken action on and are no longer waiting for your review.

[![processed.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/processed.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/processed.png)

<table id="bkmrk-completed-documents-" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 30%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Completed</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents that have been approved by all approvers in the line and are fully completed.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Ongoing</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents you have already approved but are still moving through the remaining approvers in the line.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Shared with Me</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Completed documents that other users have shared with you.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Dispatched <span style="font-size: 11px; background-color: #eef4fb; color: #185fa5; padding: 2px 6px; border-radius: 3px; font-weight: 400; margin-left: 4px;">Sender Manager only</span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Documents that have been sent out to external institutions from the Outgoing folder. Only visible to users with the Sender Manager role.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Forwarded</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">External documents you have received and forwarded on to other internal users.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Department Box

Official documents exchanged between your institution and external institutions, including physical documents registered for record-keeping. Visible to all users in your department.

[![deptbox.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/deptbox.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/deptbox.png)

<table id="bkmrk-received-documents-o" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px; height: 129.042px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: rgb(245, 247, 250); height: 32.2604px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; width: 30%; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">Received Documents</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">Official documents received from external institutions.</td></tr><tr style="height: 32.2604px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">Dispatched Documents</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">Official documents your institution has dispatched to external institutions.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(245, 247, 250); height: 32.2604px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">Registered Received</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">All registered documents received from external institutions.</td></tr><tr style="height: 32.2604px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">Registered Dispatched</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.2604px;">All registered documents dispatched to external institutions.</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

Searching and Filtering

Every folder in E-Approval has a search bar at the top to help you quickly find a document.

- <span style="color: rgb(24, 103, 173);">Search</span>

Type a keyword into the search bar to search by document title, then press **Enter** or click the search icon.

- <span style="color: rgb(24, 103, 173);">Filters</span>

Click the filter icon next to the search bar to open the filter panel. Available filters include:

<table id="bkmrk-document-title-filte" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 16px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 30%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Document Title</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by the title of the document.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Document Reference Number</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by the reference number assigned once a document is completed.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Initiated By</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by the person who created the request.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Approved By</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by an approver who has acted on the request.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Form Name</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by the form template used to create the request.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Date From / Date To</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by a date range.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Attachments</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by whether the document has an attachment or not.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Document Status</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Filter by the document's current status.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table id="bkmrk-note%3A-not-all-filter" style="width: 100%; background-color: #eef4fb; border-left: 3px solid #185fa5; border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: #555; line-height: 1.65;">**Note:** Not all filters apply to every folder. </td></tr></tbody></table>

Once you have set your filters, click **Search** to apply them. Click **Clear All** to reset the filter panel.

# Internal Approval Requests

---

Submitting an Internal Approval Request:

This page covers everything you need to get an internal approval request submitted.

Step 1

### Initiate

Click on the **Initiate** button in the top right corner of the E-Approval page.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/4Spimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/4Spimage.png)

---

Step 2

### Choose a form template

A dialog will appear listing available templates. Select the one that matches your request type and click it to proceed.

Templates are organized into two tabs: **Documents** for forms created by your institution's administrator, and **Forms** for common templates shared across all institutions.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/80gimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/80gimage.png)

*Not sure which template to pick? Use the columns in the list to guide you:*

<table id="bkmrk-scope-whether-the-te" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 20%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Scope</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Whether the template is common to your whole institution or specific to your department</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Display All</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">If Yes, all approvers' and the drafter's signatures appear on the completed document. If No, only the final approver's signature is shown.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Signature</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Whether the form requires a PKI signature or not to be submitted/approved. (*If you choose to use a PKI form, you will be asked to enter your PKI password before you submit. Learn to register your PKI [here](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/books/user-guide/page/your-account-and-profile/#bkmrk-how-to-register-your))*

</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Type</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Whether the request is internal or outgoing.</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

Step 3

### Fill in the Head tab

- Enter a **Title** for your request and optionally set a **Due Date**.
- You can also upload any supporting files in the **Attachments** area. This is not mandatory.

[![details1.jpeg](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/details1.jpeg)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/details1.jpeg)

---

Step 4

### Assign approvers

- Click **Assign** to add approvers to the approval line.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/ndKimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/ndKimage.png)

- Search for approvers to assign the request to and select them. You can assign people from within your institution or from other institutions that use the system (Select another institution using the **Search institutions...** dropdown on the left).

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/2sCimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/2sCimage.png)

- Click on **Add** once you're done selecting the approvers.
- The request will move through the approvers in order.
- The next approver can only see the request once the previous one has approved.
- You must have at least one approver before submitting.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/nRximage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/nRximage.png)

---

<table id="bkmrk-signatures%3A-every-as" style="width: 97.9762%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(197, 216, 240); border-radius: 6px; margin-bottom: 16px; height: 641px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 16px; width: 100%;">### *<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Signatures</span>*:

- Every assigned approver's signature appears on the document once they approve.
- If needed, remove any previously selected approver from the line of approval by clicking on this icon (<span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">**-**</span>).
- Each approver has a signature toggle next to their position. The last approver's and your own signature are on by default and can not be turned off. You can toggle others on or off as needed.

<details id="bkmrk-toggle-on-and-off-ap"><summary style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 1.65;">Toggle on and off approvers' signatures (click to open)</summary>

The toggle looks like this when the approver's signature is **ON**

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/Jmoimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/Jmoimage.png)

---

The toggle looks like this if the approver's signature is **OFF**

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/bDqimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/bDqimage.png)

</details>[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/xfmimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/xfmimage.png)

<p class="callout info"> Note that some forms are configured by your administrator to display only the final approver's signature, in which case this toggle will not appear.</p>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

Step 5

### Fill in the Document tab

- Click on the **Document** tab to edit the content of your request.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/lplimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/lplimage.png)

- Enter your content directly or paste it in from elsewhere.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/MNBimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/MNBimage.png)

<p class="callout warning">You do not need to add a date or leave space for signatures. The date &amp; time of completion, and reference number of the document are generated automatically once the request is completed, and each approver's signature along with their date and time of signing appears on the form the moment they approve it.</p>

---

Step 6

### Submit your request

- Once both tabs are filled in, click **Submit** in the top right corner. (You can **Preview** the document before submitting by clicking on the preview button).

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/0vtimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/0vtimage.png)

<table id="bkmrk-%F0%9F%92%A1-not-ready-to-submi" style="width: 87.5%; background-color: rgb(238, 244, 251); border-left: 3px solid rgb(24, 95, 165); border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px; height: 67px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 1.65; width: 100%;">##### **Not ready to submit?** <span style="color: #185fa5;"><span style="color: rgb(52, 73, 94);">Click on the **Save Draft** button at any point to save your progress. You can find the document later under **My Documents → Saved Drafts** to continue editing before submitting.</span></span>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

- A confirmation dialog will appear, click **Submit** again to confirm.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/Wdgimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/Wdgimage.png)

- Your request will be submitted successfully and sent directly to the first approver in the line, they can view it from their **Internal Approval** folder if they're from your institution. If not, it will be in their **External Approval** folder.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/RDcimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/RDcimage.png)

- It will appear under **My Documents → Submitted** on your side.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/CEPimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/CEPimage.png)

<table id="bkmrk-need-to-make-further" style="width: 100%; background-color: #eef4fb; border-left: 3px solid #185fa5; border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: #555; line-height: 1.65;">##### **Need to make further edits?** <span style="color: rgb(52, 73, 94); font-size: 12px;">Click on the **Revert** button before any approver takes action. The document will be moved from **Submitted** to **Saved Drafts**. You can resubmit once you've made necessary changes. Your type will be updated from Drafter to **Redrafter** on the document.</span>

</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

 ***Proceed to the [Managing approval requests](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/books/user-guide/page/managing-approval-requests) page to learn how to keep track of your request after it's been submitted.***

# Outgoing Approval Requests

---

Submitting an Outgoing Approval Request

Outgoing requests are used when you need to send an official document to another institution, both those that use Smart Admin and those that do not. The process is largely the same as submitting an internal request, but with two key differences: you select a template with the type **Outgoing**, and you specify who the document is being sent to before submitting.

<table id="bkmrk-before-you-begin%3A-th" style="width: 100%; background-color: #eef4fb; border-left: 3px solid #185fa5; border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: #555; line-height: 1.65;">**Before you begin:** This page focuses on what is unique to outgoing requests. If you have not tried submitting an internal request before, it is worth reading the [Internal Approval Requests](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/books/user-guide/page/internal-approval-requests) page first, it covers the shared steps in full detail.</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

Step 1

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Choosing a template</span>

Click **Initiate** and select a template from the list. For outgoing requests, look for templates with the type **Outgoing** in the last column.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/MkEimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/MkEimage.png)

---

Step 2

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Filling in the Head tab</span>

Fill in the title, due date, attachments, and aassignees as you would for an internal request. You can also attach documents from E-Folder using the **GSAS Documents** section on the right.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/dvnimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/dvnimage.png)

---

Step 3

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Adding recipients</span>

You will see two sections — **Internal Recipients** for institutions and individuals who use Smart Admin, and **External Recipients** for those who do not. You can fill in one or both.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/xrpimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/xrpimage.png)

<table id="bkmrk-3.1-internal-recipie" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #c5d8f0; border-radius: 6px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 16px;">#### 3.1 Internal Recipients/Public Institutions

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Recipients that use Smart Admin</span>

- Click **Assign** next to the **TO** or **CC** field.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/WL3image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/WL3image.png)

- A dialog will appear with two tabs; **Institutions** to send to an institution as a whole, and **Individuals** to send to a specific person.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/eA8image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/eA8image.png)

*→ Send to an institution (Internal)*

- Under the **Institutions** tab, search for the institution by name or abbreviation, check the box next to it, then click **Confirm**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/ninimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/ninimage.png)

*→ Send to an individual (Internal)*

- Under the **Individuals** tab, select the institution the person belongs to from the dropdown on the left.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/WXXimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/WXXimage.png)

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/LDDimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/LDDimage.png)

- The users from that institution will appear on the right; search by name, click **Select** next to the person you want to add, then click **Confirm**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/nySimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/nySimage.png)

***CC***

To copy someone in, click **Assign** next to the **CC** field and follow the same steps above.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table id="bkmrk-3.2-external-recipie" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #c5d8f0; border-radius: 6px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 16px;">#### 3.2 External Recipients/Private Institutions

For recipients who do not use Smart Admin, their details have to be entered manually.

*→ Sending to an institution (External)*

- Under the **Institutions** tab, enter the institution's name, abbreviation, and email address, then click **Confirm**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/21Cimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/21Cimage.png)

*→ Sending to an individual (External)*

- Under the **Individuals** tab, enter their first name, last name, position, position abbreviation, email address, institution name, and institution abbreviation, then click **Confirm**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/l99image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/l99image.png)

</td></tr></tbody></table>

---

Step 4

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Filling in the Document tab and submitting</span>

Fill in the content of the request in the **Document** tab just like it's done with [internal approvals](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/4#bkmrk-fill-in-the-document) and click **Submit**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/59Nimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/59Nimage.png)

Enter a message to the external recipients, it will be included in the email sent to them along with your request, then submit.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/mBAimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/mBAimage.png)

Once all approvers have approved, the request will appear in the Sender Manager's **Outgoing** folder to be dispatched. (See [Sender and Receiver Manager Controls](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/52#bkmrk-page-title)).

The addressed institutions and individuals will receive the request once it's been sent by the Sender Manager.

---

***Proceed to the [Managing approval requests](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/books/user-guide/page/managing-approval-requests) page to learn how to keep track of your request after it has been submitted.***

# Dynamic forms -Travel Clearance

---

Use this form to request official approval for international travel.

Step 1

### Initiate request

- From the **E-Approval** module, click **Initiate.**
- Select the **Forms** tab, then click **Travel clearance** from the list.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/WM6image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/WM6image.png)

---

Step 2

### Fill in the Head section

Enter a **Title** for the request and optionally set a **Due Date**. The **Approval Line** lists the approvers assigned to this request, click **Assign** to add approvers. Click **Next** when ready.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/z0Kimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/z0Kimage.png)

---

Step 3

### Personal Details

- Fill in your **First Name**, **Middle Name** (optional), and **Last Name**, along with your **Email** and **Telephone**.
- Select your **Nationality** and enter your **National ID**.
- Under document information, select your **Document Type** (e.g. Ordinary passport) and provide the number associated with it, **Issued Country**, and **Expiry Date**. Click **Next** to continue.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/igsimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/igsimage.png)

---

Step 4

### Career Details

- Select your **Career Status** — *Serving*, *Retired*, or *Former*. If Retired or Former, provide the corresponding date in the **Retirement/Former Date** field.
- Enter your **Position**  (if it was not automatically filled in) and optionally your **Occupation**. Click **Next** to continue.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/UIrimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/UIrimage.png)

---

Step 5

### Travel Details

- Select the **Destination Country** and enter the **Destination City**.
- Set the **Departure Date** and **Returning Date**, then select a **Travel Reason**.

 The fields that follow will change depending on the reason selected. If you choose:

***→*Mission*****:***

- <span style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 1.65; text-align: justify;">Enter the *Mission Name* and select the *Mode of Travel*. </span>
- <span style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 1.65; text-align: justify;">Provide the *Invited by* and *Mission Funder*, then fill in the *Mission Objectives*, *Mission Outcome*, and *Mission Details*</span>.

[![1782296258305.jpeg](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/1782296258305.jpeg)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/1782296258305.jpeg)

***→* Meeting*****:***

- Enter the *Meeting Name* and select the *Mode of Travel*.
- Select the *Meeting Format*, enter your *Meeting Role*, and provide the *Invited by* and *Meeting Funder*. Fill in the *Meeting Objectives, Meeting Outcome*, and *Meeting Details.*

[![7a265374-98ee-4120-80dc-0ede52b86121.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/7a265374-98ee-4120-80dc-0ede52b86121.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/7a265374-98ee-4120-80dc-0ede52b86121.png)

***→*Event:**

- Enter the *Event Name* and select the *Mode of Travel*.
- Select the *Event Format*, enter your *Event Role*, and provide the *Invited by* and *Event Funder*.
- Fill in the *Event Objectives, Event Outcome*, and *Event Details*.

[![820ef174-c248-4d49-add1-c7e3d6a0ae81.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/820ef174-c248-4d49-add1-c7e3d6a0ae81.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/820ef174-c248-4d49-add1-c7e3d6a0ae81.png)

***→*Leave:**

- Select the *Mode of Travel*<span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"> (Road, Air, Train, or Sea) and enter the </span>*Leave Details*<span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"> describing the purpose of the trip. </span>
- <span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">The </span>*Leave Name*<span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;"> field is not required for this option.</span>

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/bbVimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/bbVimage.png)

Click **Next** to proceed once all fields are completed.

---

Step 6

Attachments

Attach any relevant documents to support your request. All attachment fields are optional. Upload files by clicking the upload area or dragging and dropping. Each file will display a green **Ready** status once successfully uploaded.

- **Recommendation** — upload a single recommendation letter.
- **Ticket Reservations** — upload a single file for travel booking confirmation.
- **Supporting Documents** — upload one or more additional files relevant to the request.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/o1himage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/o1himage.png)

---

Step 7

### Submit your Request

Once all sections are complete, click **Submit** in the top right corner. A confirmation dialog will appear, click **Submit** again to confirm and send the request for approval.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/tlJimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/tlJimage.png)

# Managing approval requests

---

This page covers what happens after you submit an approval request, how you can track it's progress and how you can respond to approval requests you have been assigned.

### Tracking your request as a drafter

- Once submitted, your request appears under **My Documents → Submitted**. Click on it and open the **Head** tab to see a full picture of where the request stands; the approval line, each approver's status, and the date they acted.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/Xxtimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/Xxtimage.png)

#### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**→** Understanding request statuses</span>

Each person in the approval line has an individual status that updates as the request moves forward.


<table id="bkmrk-waiting-the-request-" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px; height: 97.7814px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 32.5938px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; width: 20%; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.5938px;"><span style="background-color: rgb(249, 243, 224); color: rgb(241, 196, 15);"> WAITING </span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.5938px;">The request has not yet reached this person.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: rgb(245, 247, 250); height: 32.5938px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; width: 20%; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.5938px;"><span style="color: rgb(244, 142, 61); background-color: rgb(253, 232, 213);"> PENDING </span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.5938px;">The request has reached this approver and is currently waiting for their action.</td></tr><tr style="height: 32.5938px;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: rgb(26, 26, 26); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.5938px;"><span style="background-color: rgb(191, 237, 210); color: rgb(45, 194, 107);"> COMPLETED </span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); height: 32.5938px;">This person has approved the request. The date and time of their action is recorded alongside their name.</td></tr></tbody></table>

- If an approver approves your request, their status will update to completed, and the request will move to the next approver in the line of approval.
- If your request is rejected, you'll find it in **My Documents → Rejected**. The approver's reason for rejecting will appear as a comment icon alongside their date &amp; time of rejection in the approval line, which you can see by clicking on the **View** icon.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/dbqimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/dbqimage.png)

- Click on "Edit" to make the necessary changes, and resubmit.
- Once resubmitted, the request returns to the first approver again, and moves through the approval line in order.

<p class="callout info">If a request has been edited and resubmitted by you, it gets updated to a new version. The **Version** dropdown lets you view and compare with earlier versions of the document. </p>

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/XAWimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/XAWimage.png)

---

---

### Responding to a request as an approver

When a request reaches your turn in the approval line, you will be notified. You will find it in:

- **To Be Processed → Internal Approval** if a user from your institution assigned it to you, or
- **To Be Processed → External Approval** if a user from another institution assigned it to you.

Open the request and review its content before taking any of the following actions:

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/x5Vimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/x5Vimage.png)

<table id="bkmrk-approve-approves-the" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 16px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 20%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"><span style="color: rgb(45, 194, 107);">Approve</span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Approves the request and moves it to the next approver in line.

</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">Reject</span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Rejects the request after you leave a mandatory comment explaining the reason. The request will be in your **Rejected** folder until the drafter resubmits.

</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;"><span style="color: rgb(241, 196, 15);">Hold</span></td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Moves the request to your **On Hold** folder for quick access if you are not ready to act on it yet. The drafter is not notified. You can approve or reject it from the on hold folder at any time. *(Click on the **More** dropdown to see this option).*</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**→** </span>Editing before approving

<table id="bkmrk-%E2%9A%A0%EF%B8%8F-important%3A-if-a-f" style="width: 100%; background-color: #fff8e6; border-left: 3px solid #e6a817; border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: #555; line-height: 1.65;">**Important:** Some form templates are configured as editable by your admin. When forms are editable, you can make changes to the request's details or content before approving. When you edit and update a request, its version updates. Click the **Version** dropdown to compare with earlier versions.</td></tr></tbody></table>

<details id="bkmrk-how-to-edit-a-reques"><summary style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 1.65;">How to edit a request as an approver</summary>

- Open the request and click the **More** dropdown, then click **Edit**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/iS7image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/iS7image.png)

- Make any necessary changes on the **Head** or **Document** tab, then click **Update**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/2Sfimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/2Sfimage.png)

- A confirmation dialog will appear. Click **Proceed** to save the changes and approve the document, or **Cancel** to save the changes without approving.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/HKDimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/HKDimage.png)

</details>---

### Drafter's final check

Some forms are configured with a Drafter's Final Check. When enabled, the request returns to the drafter after all approvers have approved for confirmation, before it is marked as completed. Once it is returned to the drafter, they will find it in **To Be Processed → Internal Approval** with their role listed as **Confirmer**. They can then review the document and click **Confirm** to finalize it.

---

### Completed requests

Once a request is fully approved, the reference number, date of completion, and each approver's signature with their date and time of signing are all visible on the document.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/bDlimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/bDlimage.png)

- For outgoing requests, once completed the document appears in the Sender Manager's **Outgoing** folder to be dispatched to the recipients.

<p class="callout info">The Sender Manager of your institution can edit the *details* of the request before sending, i.e. Attachments, Title, and Assigned institutions or individuals.</p>

---

### Forwarded requests

- These are requests received from external institutions that your institution's Receiver Manager has forwarded to you for action.
- You will find them in your **External Approval** folder. As a recipient you can; **Forward** to any other relevant parties, **Confirm** receipt or **Reply** with a request of your own.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/S1cimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/S1cimage.png)

---

### Follow up

The **Follow Up** tab is available on any request to everyone in the approval line. Use it to ask questions or provide additional context at any point during the process.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/7YKimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/7YKimage.png)

---

### Sharing a completed request

Once a document is completed, everyone with access to it (drafters, approvers) can share it with other users within their institution

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/kuLimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/kuLimage.png)

The document can be shared either with a single user or a group of users.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/sbHimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/sbHimage.png)

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/8FTimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/8FTimage.png)

Click Share once you're done selecting recipients.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/8P4image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/8P4image.png)

Enter an optional message to the recipients, then click **Share**

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/7r8image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/7r8image.png)

[![b0bb687f-53c1-4dcf-a23c-4d71cdd87152.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/b0bb687f-53c1-4dcf-a23c-4d71cdd87152.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/b0bb687f-53c1-4dcf-a23c-4d71cdd87152.png)

Recipients will find it in their **Processed → Shared with Me** folder, and they will also be able to share it. All people with access to the document will see who it has been shared with.

# Registering documents

---

This section outlines the steps for users to register incoming documents that were not received or sent through the Government Smart Administration System for archiving and sharing.

Step 1

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Access eApproval</span>

1. Navigate to the eApproval section of the system.
2. Go to the department box.
3. Go to Registered Received for documents received by your institution, or to Registered Dispatched for documents sent by your institution.
4. Click on the “Register” button to begin the document registration process.

 ![](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-gez0zq5d.png)

![](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-3rlp07rm.png)

---

Step 2

### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Document Details Entry</span>

1. Input the title of your document.
2. Add the document’s reference number.
3. Determine access to the document for other team members in your department. (Refer to the cautious message on the side.)
4. Add reception date
5. Add redaction date (Date of when the document is/will be handled)
6. Optionally, add comments summarizing your document.
7. Enter the institution name (e.g., AOS).
8. Specify the division (e.g., HR) if necessary.
9. Select/Enter the copied institution or type it using the add (+) button.
10. Select/Enter the addressed institution or type it using the add (+) button.

 ![](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-nhuugf9g.png)

→ After clicking the “+ Assign” button, a new model will open.

![](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-skfxvji9.png)

11. Attach the main PDF document.
12. If applicable, attach any supporting documents.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/X9kimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/X9kimage.png)

---

Step 4

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Save the Document</span>

1. Click ‘Cancel’ to stop the registration.
2. Click on 'save' to store the document in the system.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/jeHimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/jeHimage.png)

Once the document is saved, you will be able to find it in the folder. Members of your department will also be able to find it there if Department Access was set to open.

- You can click on the Share(1) dropdown to view actions that can be taken on the document.
- [Share as task](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/38#bkmrk-page-title) (2) and [Invite to sign](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/9#bkmrk-page-title) (3) are covered in the following pages.

[![Group 1 (2).png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/scaled-1680-/group-1-2.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/group-1-2.png)

# Invite to sign on Received PDF documents

---

This feature allows you to invite internal users to sign a PDF document directly within GSAS.

---

Step 1

Open the document

Navigate to **E-Approval → Department Box → Registered Received** and open the document you want to send for signing.

![Registered Received folder](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-uyglalzp.png) ![Document view](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-07/scaled-1680-/image.png)

---

Step 2

### Share via Invite to Sign

Click **Share** and select **Invite to Sign** from the dropdown.

![Invite to Sign option](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-5liz1u3w.png)

---

Step 3

### Assign signers

Search for the user(s) who need to sign the document, then drag and drop the signature field to the desired location on the document. Adjust the signature fields as needed, then click **Send Invitation** to notify the selected users.

![Assigning signers](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-raduqxiz.png)

---

Step 4

### Signing the document

- The invited user will find the document in their **To Be Processed → Internal Approval** folder.
- They can open it and click **Sign**. In the newly opened tab, drag and drop their signature to the highlighted field.
- Other fields such as date, name, or custom text can also be added. Once done, click **Complete**.

![Sign button](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-ojguptnd.png) ![Signing the document](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-bhlz9byl.png)

---

Step 5

### Access the completed document

Once all signatures have been collected, the document is marked as complete. It can now be downloaded, shared, or viewed by the drafter or any of the signers from their **Completed** folder.

![Completed document](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-flz9qo8u.png) ![Completed document view](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/embedded-image-thswrbhr.png)

---

# Share document as  Task

This page explains how to create a task directly from a registered document in **E-Approval**. The task is linked to the original document, assigned to selected users, and can be tracked from both the document view and the **Tasks** module.

<table id="bkmrk-before-you-begin%3A-th" style="width: 100%; background-color: rgb(238, 244, 251); border-left: 3px solid rgb(24, 95, 165); border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 0px 0px 24px; height: 60.5938px;"><tbody><tr style="height: 60.5938px;"><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 1.65; height: 60.5938px;">**Before you begin:** The document must already be registered under **Registered received** or **Registered dispatched**. See the [Registering documents](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/8#bkmrk-page-title) page to learn how to register documents.</td></tr></tbody></table>

Step 1

### Open the registered document

- Go to **E-Approval**.
- Open **Department Box**.
- Click **Registered received** or **Registered dispatched**, depending on where the document was registered.
- Select the document you want to share as a task.

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Step 2

### Share the document as a task

- Click the arrow next to the **Share** button.
- Select **Share as Task**. [![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/82timage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/82timage.png)

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Step 3

### Fill in the task details

The **Create new Task** window opens. The task name is filled automatically as the document title.

1\. Select the task **Priority**.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/I6himage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/I6himage.png)

2\. Click the **Due date** field and choose the deadline.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/q9limage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/q9limage.png)

3\. Click the **Assignees** field to add users.

4\. Search for the users you want to assign. Click **Select** next to the correct user.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/bhOimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/bhOimage.png)

5\. Confirm that the user(s) appears under **Selected users**. And click **Confirm** once all assignees are selected.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/rooimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/rooimage.png)

6\. Optionally, enter a short **Description** explaining what the assignee needs to do.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/7C6image.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/7C6image.png)

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Step 5

### Create the task

After the assignee and description are added, the **Create Task** button becomes active.

- Review the priority, due date, assignee, and description.
- Click **Create Task**. [![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/mwIimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/mwIimage.png)

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Step 6

### View the created task

After the task is created, the system creates or updates a related task project in the **Tasks** module.

- Go to **Tasks**.
- Click **Initiated By Me**.
- The task project containing the task is titled "**Registered\_Received\_Year**"
- Click the three-dot menu on the project card, then click **Open**. [![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/S7Dimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/S7Dimage.png)

Inside the project workspace, the task appears in the task table. You can view the task name, progress, priority, status, assignee, and due date.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/rmVimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/rmVimage.png)

<p class="callout info">The task assignees will open the task from **Tasks → Assigned To Me - Internal** if it was assigned to them by a user within their institution or **External** if it was by a user from another institution. </p>

***Proceed to the [Responding to and Tracking tasks](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/44#bkmrk-page-title) page to see how to update a task assigned to you.***

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Step 7

### Track the task progress from the document

Return to the original document in **E-Approval**. The document displays task progress, completion percentage, and task status.

1. Select the original registered document.
2. Review the **Task progress** section.
3. Click **Details** to open the task details panel. [![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/JFGimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/JFGimage.png)
    
    [![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/Y3Nimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/Y3Nimage.png)

4\. Expand **Activity** to view recent task activity.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/zVsimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/zVsimage.png)

5\. Click **View Progress Updates History** to see submitted progress updates.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/AUAimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/AUAimage.png)

Review the update details, attachments, update date, and the user who submitted the update.

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***Proceed to the [Responding to and Tracking tasks](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/link/44#bkmrk-page-title) page to see how to keep track of tasks you create and delegate from the Tasks module.***

# Sender and Receiver Manager Controls

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### Sender Manager

Once an outgoing request has been approved by everyone in its approval line, it lands in the Sender Manager's **To Be Processed &gt; Outgoing** folder. This is the last stop before the document actually leaves the institution.

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/F7Gimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/F7Gimage.png)

<table id="bkmrk-send-dispatches-the-" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 16px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 25%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Send</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Dispatches the document to the addressed institutions and/ or individuals electronically. </td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Mark as sent</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Found under **More.** This logs that you've sent it by other means and moves it out of the Outgoing folder.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Share</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Gives another user inside your own institution visibility into the document. </td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Edit</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Found under **More**. Lets you make changes to the details of the document before sending.</td></tr></tbody></table>

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/6Qpimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/6Qpimage.png)

<table id="bkmrk-note%3A-once-a-documen" style="width: 100%; background-color: #eef4fb; border-left: 3px solid #185fa5; border-radius: 4px; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 24px;"><tbody><tr><td style="padding: 10px 14px; font-size: 12px; color: #555; line-height: 1.65;">**Note:** Once a document is sent or marked as sent, it moves out of Outgoing and into **Processed &gt; Dispatched**.</td></tr></tbody></table>

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### Receiver Manager

Every document your institution receives from an external institution lands first in the Receiver Manager's **To Be Processed &gt; External Approval** folder before being routed to anyone else.

<table id="bkmrk-confirm-acknowledges" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin-bottom: 16px;"><tbody><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; width: 25%; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Confirm</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Acknowledges that the document has been officially received into the system.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Forward</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Routes the document to whoever internally needs to see or act on it.</td></tr><tr style="background-color: #f5f7fa;"><td style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: 600; color: #1a1a1a; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Reply</td><td style="font-size: 13px; color: #555; padding: 8px 12px; border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;">Opens a new [outgoing request](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/books/user-guide/page/submitting-an-outgoing-approval-request) addressed back to the external sender.</td></tr></tbody></table>

[![image.png](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/scaled-1680-/bbmimage.png)](https://docs.smartadmin.rw/uploads/images/gallery/2026-08/bbmimage.png)

Forwarding a document

- Click **Forward**.
- Search for and select the people who need to see the document.
- Click **Forward** again, optionally add a message, then confirm.

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### Receiving a Forwarded Document

If a document is forwarded to a user, it appears in their own **To Be Processed &gt; External Approval** folder. They'll have the same options the Receiver Manager had; Download, Forward, and Reply except **Confirm**, since that's the Receiver Manager's responsibility alone.

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