Microsoft Word is still the world’s leading word processing software, and is the preferred choice of millions of users across the globe thanks to its relative ease of use – users can create and share documents.
Type up work, and create signatures to help authenticate and add legitimacy to documents and files.
Inserting a signature into Word is a fairly painless process, and we will walk you through the steps below to help you add a signature into your Word document quickly and easily, allowing you to get on with more enjoyable tasks!
What Is A Signature In Word?
Before we take a closer look at the process of adding a signature, it is important to distinguish between digital and electronic signatures.
- Digital signatures – are encrypted digital marks, which help to keep documents and files super secure. They require users to purchase a digital certificate and specialist software, and this must be used by both sender and recipient of the file.
- Electronic signatures – work in a similar way to those on hard copies of contracts or documents – they are a virtual mark that is added to a specific document, usually in the form of hand-typed text or the image of an existing signature. The time and date of a signature may also be included through an additional digital certificate,
Both digital and electronic signatures have the advantage of being secure and legally enforceable.
Inserting A Digital Signature In Word
Adding a digital signature to a Word document is a fairly simple process:
Step
Moving The Cursor
Begin by moving the cursor to the area which requires a signature
Step
Insert Tab
Click the Insert tab at the top of your screen
Step
Text Group Option
Select the Text group option, and navigate to the Signature Line list
Step
Signature Line
Select the option for Microsoft Office Signature Line. The Signature Setup dialogue box will appear
Step
Information
Add the name, title and email address of the sender, as well as any other information which needs to be included. Follow the instructions, and click OK.
Step
Signature Field
Right-click on the signature field you have created, and upload an image of your signature – you can also type your name here.
Inserting An Electronic Signature In Word
Inserting an electronic signature into your document is also easy – you can then use this to add to the line above, or copy and paste it into any document. There are just a few steps:
Step
Signature
Start by writing your signature out onto a white, blank piece of paper
Step
Scanning Software
Use scanning software or an external scanner to scan the handwritten signature image. Save it as one of the following formats: .jpg, .png, .bmp, or .gif
Step
Click Insert
Head to Word, click Insert and then select Pictures
Step
Click The Image Of Your Signature
Click the image of your signature, and use the Picture Tools Format option to edit it
Step
Edit
Edit as required, and then right click and Save as Picture
Step
Head To Insert
Then, anytime you need an electronic signature, you can head to Insert>Pictures>Select Image and use the required image.
Adding Recipient Signature Lines
On occasion, you may also want to add a signature line to your file – this indicates to another party where the right place on the page to sign is.
You can, of course, opt to add a shape using the Shape tool, but there is a much easier and more professional way – and this will not mess up your formatting and cause your text to go flying across the page!
Step
Left-Clicking
Start by left-clicking the place where the signature line will go
Step
Head To Insert
Head to Insert, select Signature Line and select the desired options from the dialogue box
Step
Click OK
Click OK to confirm – the signature line will now appear in the desired spot
Final Thoughts
Being able to add signature features to your document helps to build authority, legitimize documents, and gives you strong legal and moral ground to stand on when signing contracts and agreements.
The best part is that the process is super simple to add either a digital or an electronic signature!
