How to Sign a Word Document Electronically

Need to add your electronic signature to a contract, offer letter, or other agreement in a Word document? Here's how to sign a Microsoft Word document electronically without ever leaving the application.

How to insert a signature line in a Word document

If you’re creating an agreement in Microsoft Word, you can insert a signature line that shows exactly where the other party should sign. Here’s how to do it:

1. Put the cursor where you want the signature line to appear.

2. On the “Insert” tab, choose “Signature Line.”

3. In the dialog box that pops up, enter any details you want to appear below the signature line, such as the signer’s name and title.

4. Click “OK.” You should now see your signature line on the page.

5. To add a clickable signature field using the Docusign for Word add-in, go to the “Docusign” tab and choose “Request Signatures,” then add your recipient details. You’ll then be able to drag clickable fields onto your document from the menu on the left.

How to electronically sign a Word document

To add your e-signature in Word, you’ll need to start by making sure that you’ve installed the Docusign add-in. In Word, go to the “Insert” tab, then choose “Get Add-ins.” This will open up the Office Store. Type “Docusign” into the search bar. Then, click the “Add” button next to Docusign for Word and confirm the installation.

If you need a Docusign account, sign up for a free trial to create an electronic signature in Microsoft Word. Then, you’ll be ready to start signing documents electronically.

Watch this video to learn how to sign or send a document in Microsoft Word, or follow the steps below:

How to sign a Word document, step by step

To add a signature to a Word document that someone has sent you with Docusign eSignature, follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the “Docusign” tab in Word, then click “Sign Document.”

2. Drag and drop the signature field to add your electronic signature to the document. You can also add your initials, the date signed, your name, and other information if you choose.

3. Click the “Adopt and Sign” button at the bottom of the window. Your signature will appear in the desired place on the document.

4. Click the “Finish” button at the top of the page.

Your signed document is now ready to send and download.

If you need to send the document to another party, enter the recipient’s name and email address in the “Full Name” and “Email Address” fields in the pop-up menu, then click “Send and Close.”

And you’re done. You can then log into your Docusign account to see all of the documents you’ve signed and sent.

How to create your own e-signature in Word

When adding an electronic signature to any document, you can choose to simply adopt a Docusign pre-made signature using your name. But if you love your unique autograph and would rather sign a Word document using that, you can also choose to upload or draw your own electronic signature. To create your electronic signature:

1. Log into your Docusign account. Click your profile image, then click “Signatures.”

2. To change your signature, click “Edit” and then select “Draw.”

3. To draw an e-signature in Word, click and hold within the “Draw your signature” box, then draw the desired signature with your cursor or on your touch screen.

4. Click and hold within the “Draw your initials” box to draw the desired initials. 

5. Click “Create” to save your signature.

Sign up for free and see how easy it is to insert a signature in Word

Related:

• How to Electronically Sign Documents in Google Docs

• What is a Wet Signature vs. an Electronic Signature?

• Are Electronic Signatures Legal?

Learn more about Docusign eSignature.