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A digital signature can refer to two different things—using a simple electronic version of your regular hand-written signature, or using a digital signing certificate to add an encrypted stamp of authentication to a document. If you need to add your handwritten signature to a Microsoft Word document, we'll show you the easiest ways to do so in Windows and macOS. We'll also show you how to use your digital ID (issued by a certificate authority) to digitally sign a Word document in Windows.
Adding a Digital Signature to an MS Word DocOpen the document and place your cursor on the line where you want the signature. In the top toolbar, select "Insert" and then "Signature Line in the Text Group." You'll see a Signature Setup box appear. Fill out the information here, then click "OK."
Method 1 of 4:
Log into DocuSign in Microsoft Word. Once you have an account, click Sign Document again and log in with your new DocuSign account in the right panel. [4] X Research source
Click Signature . It's on the left side of the page. If you already have a DocuSign signature on file, this displays a thumbnail image of your signature next to your mouse cursor. If you do not have a signature on file, this displays a yellow image that says "Sign" next to your mouse cursor. [5] X Research source
Click Download document . It's in the right panel. This redownloads the signed Word document as a PDF file that contains your signature. You can now share this signed version of your document with anyone you wish.
Advertisement Method 2 of 4:
Click the Insert tab. It's at the top of the window. If you need to add a signature line for yourself or someone else to sign, you'll find the option(s) here. [8] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
Click OK . It's at the bottom of the window. This will insert a signature box. [10] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
Right-click the signature line and select Sign . This opens a window you can use to sign on the signature line.
Click Sign . The "Signature" badge will appear at the bottom of the document next to the word count, indicating that the document has been signed.
Advertisement Method 3 of 4:
Write your signature on a piece of white paper. If you want to add an image of your own signature to your document, the easiest way is to sign your name on a sheet of paper and scan it into your computer. [11] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source Writing with dark ink on a white background will give you the best results.
Scan your signature into your computer. When scanning your signature, save the photo in a common file format like JPG, PNG, or BMP.
Open the document you want to sign in Microsoft Word. You can do this by double-clicking the Word document on your computer.
Click This Device (PC) or Picture from File (Mac). Now you'll be able to browse for your scanned signature.
Open the PDF file in Preview. Now that you have a PDF version of your document, double-click the file to open it in Preview. [13] X Research source
Click the marker icon to show the Markup toolbar. It's the icon that looks like a felt tip marker at the top of the Preview window. [14] X Research source
Click the Signature icon. It's the icon that looks like a cursive signature at the top of the window. [15] X Research source
to reposition it." width="460" height="345" />
Drag your signature to reposition it. Click and hold in the center of your signature and drag it to the area you want to place it in.
Save the file. Once you've signed the PDF, click the File menu and select Save to save the version that includes your signature. [16] X Research source This saves the document with your electronic signature attached.
AdvertisementWhen I try to save a copy of a digitally signed Word 2007 document, it invalidates the signature. Is there a way of saving without invalidating the signature?
Community Answer You need to save the document first, and then sign digitally. There is no need to save it again.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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Our forms have sections with a signature required in each section. But when you complete the next section, it invalidates the signature for the previous section. Is there a way around that?
Community Answer Then it's some digital signature issue. You may need to seek technical assistance for that.Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
One way to add an informal signature to a Word document is by drawing your signature in a program such as Paint, saving it as an image, and then inserting it as image from the Word Insert menu.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Please provide your name and last initial Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement You may want to password-protect your Word document to prevent others from using your signature. Advertisement
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