How To Create A Signature Line In Word 2010

How to create an electronic signature in Word?

draw signature in Word

how to draw signature in Word without a print out?

Today in this post I am going to show how to draw signature in Word in electronic form in simple steps, without print out of the document.

It is never a problem to create electronic signature in Word or Worksheet in MS Office, when the document page is printed out. But to draw electronic signature in Word without print out of the document requires a little bit of workaround. This is because to draw signature in Word in electronic form first you are to insert a signature line in Word document where exactly you will put your signature.

Before I go to show how to create an electronic signature in Word let's first take a look into what is electronic signature.

What is electronic signature?

Electronic signature or e-signature refers to data in electronic form. Electronic signature could be considered virtual representation of a pen-and-paper signature. It is a very useful and popular feature of Microsoft Office. An electronic signature is intended to provide a secure method for the signatory to provide a smooth transaction. It is used for demonstrating the authenticity of a message or document. When you create digital signature in Word it gives the recipient of the document assurance that the content was created by a known sender (authentication), that the sender cannot deny any association with the signed content (non-repudiation) and that the content has not been changed or tampered with in transit (integrity). Now let's see how to create an electronic signature in Word.

In order to draw signature in Word in electronic form first you need to know where to place the signature. Therefore, to add signature in Word first you are to insert a signature line in Word document where the signer would put his signature. Follow the steps below on how to insert a signature line in Word:

How to insert a signature line in Word

To insert a signature line in Word document where the signer would put his digital signature in Word, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Navigate to the Microsoft Office Word or Excel document in which to add signature;

Step 2: Place the cursor (pointer) in the location where the signer would draw signature in Word document or worksheet;

Step 3: Click Insert tab > Signature Line > Microsoft Office Signature Line from the list;

Step 4: Wait for the Signature Setup dialog box to appear;

Step 5: Fill out the required fields in the setup box about the person who will sign the document (intended signer);

Step 6: Click 'OK'

Step 7: A signature line now appears at the location where the signer would insert signature in word;

signature line in word

Step 8: To insert a signature line in Word in additional places, repeat the steps 1 through 7.

Step 9: Now sent the document to the intended signer i.e. who will put his electronic signature in Word;

How to draw signature in Word (steps for the intended signer)

If you are the person receiving the document i.e. if you are the signatory then follow the steps below on how to create electronic signature in Word or excel worksheet:

1. Open the MS Office document in which you intend to insert signature in Word or worksheet. You will be notified in a 'Signatures Message Bar' under the menu bar, which states that 'this document needs to be signed';

2. Select 'View Signatures' in the yellow alert bar to complete the signature process;

3. Double click next to 'X' or right-click on the signature line;

4. A Sign box will appear next to 'X';

5. Type your name in the box to add a printed version of your signature Or upload a digital image of your written signature you might have stored on your computer by clicking 'Select image';

(The digital image of your signature can be created easily by scanning your signature and then saving the file as PNG file)

6. When you are ready to add signature to Word, click 'Sign';

create electronic signature in word

Once the process is completed your electronic signature in Word will be inserted.

After you draw signature in Word, it will become read-only to prevent modifications to its content. You can, however, edit the digital signature in Word document whenever you need to;

How to remove an electronic signature in Word document or worksheet?

Here are the steps to follow to remove an electronic signature in Word document:

1. Open the office document that contains the e-signature you want to remove;

2. Click the Microsoft Office Button, point to Prepare, and then click View Signatures;

3. In the Signatures task pane, point to the signature that you want to remove, click the arrow that appears on the right, and then click 'Remove Signature' option to remove;

4. When you are asked if you want to permanently remove the signature, click 'yes';

5. You can edit your electronic signature in Word by clicking 'Signature Setup' option;

Reply to frequently asked questions

Now that I have explained how to create an electronic signature in Word, before I conclude, let me also give short reply to some of the questions often asked asked by people relating to creating digital signature in Word.

How to create an electronic signature in Word?

Follow the steps below on how to do signature in Word in electronic form:

i. First add a signature line where the you will sign the document. To do this, open the Microsoft Word document and place the cursor (pointer) in the location where the signer will sign;

ii. Next, select the 'Insert tab' and then click 'Signature Line';

iii. Then click 'Microsoft Office Signature Line' option. A Signature Setup dialog box will appear;

iv. Next, enter your information in the text fields and click OK. A signature line will appear;

v. Finally, to add signature in Word right-click on the signature line. A Sign box will appear next to 'X'. Type your name in the Sign box Or upload an digital image of your written signature stored on your computer by clicking 'Select image'. Then click 'Sign';

How do I create a signature line in Word?

To make a signature line in Word document, select the 'Insert tab' and then click 'Signature Line' and then select 'Microsoft Office Signature Line' option from the list. A Signature Setup dialog box will appear. Fill out the required fields in the setup box and then click 'OK'. The signature line in word would appear.

How do I insert signature in document on a Mac?

To do this follows the steps below:

Open the document where you want to put your signature;
Move the cursor to the place on the document where you want to insert your signature;
Next, click the 'Media' button in the toolbar and select the location of your stored signature image and select the image;
Click Insert.

You might also like to read this post – Easy ways to recover unsaved Word documents in Office

Conclusion

The above facility to insert digital signature in Word or excel worksheet in Microsoft Office has been introduced in 2007 MS Office system, which made it possible to use paperless signing process for important documents.

As already mentioned after you insert a signature line in Word you can create electronic signature in Word document by using the signature line. Unlike signatures on paper, digital signature can provide a record of exactly what was signed, which can be used in future to verify the signature. When the signer adds a visible representation of his or her signature to the document, an electronic signature is added simultaneously to authenticate the identity of the signer.

If you follow the steps correctly on how to create an electronic signature in Word document as mentioned in the post it would be easier for you to assure the recipient about the authenticity of a message or document. However, this feature can be used to draw signature in Word and Excel workbooks only.

Another point needs to be noted in connection with how to insert a signature line in Word that any type of editing after the signature line, is not allowed. Therefore, to add signature to Word document, make sure to insert the signature line at the very end of the document.