Sign a Document Using Google Docs

Whether it’s for school, work, or just personal use, Google Docs is an easy and convenient writing platform. As compared to Microsoft’s Word processor, it might not have that many features and be dependent on a working internet connection. However, it has plenty of other benefits that make up for these drawbacks. For instance, it automatically saves your work and backs it up on your Google drive, it has all the basic tools and features to craft a simple document, and best of all, it’s free!

And to add on to that list, you can also sign a document using Google docs! Here’s how.

How to Sign a Document Using Google Docs

Especially if you’re running a business, you might have to draft and sign multiple documents in a day. This can be a big hassle if you have to print the document, add a signature manually, scan the document, and then send it through just to sign it properly.

Additionally, you can even type your name on the document, and that can suffice as your signature. However, sometimes, the document is too important or sensitive to add a signature like that. So, you need to sign the document the proper way.

Method 1: Add a Drawing

This is the quickest and easiest way to add a signature to your Google doc. First of all, you will need to create a space for the signature. You can easily do this by typing out a dotted or straight line using the underscore under the place where you want your signature to go. After that comes the actual sign.

For this, you need to go to the Insert tab on the top. Once you click this, you will see a drop-down menu. From this menu, choose Drawing, which will open another menu. Then, select New. This will prompt a new pop-up window to open.

This new window is where you can draw whatever you want to. Some of the options available include inserting shapes and drawing straight lines. However, you can’t add a signature with those tools. Therefore, you want to click on the Line option, which looks like a line with arrowheads on both ends.

When you click on this option, you see a drop-down menu. Towards the end of this menu, there’s an option for Scribble, and that’s what you want to select. This option lets you draw anything freehand. So, you can comfortably draw your signature using your mouse or touchpad. The best part is that unlike with ink and paper, you get unlimited attempts to get the perfect signature. And you should try to get your best signature because it will get saved for further use as well!

Once you think you’ve got the perfect signature, click on the Save and Close option in the upper-right corner. After this, your drawn signature will appear as an image in your Google doc. You can resize this image to the right size and drag it to the right place. And there you have it! Now you know how to add a signature to Google docs. Since your signature is saved, now whenever you need to add a signature, you can select that drawing again and use it as your signature.

If the document is just for personal use, you can simply stop there. However, if you plan to send the document further or plan to print it out, it’d be better to convert the document into a PDF. This will preserve its formatting and ensure that everything stays the same even if other people open it on their phones or other platforms.

Alternatively, if you have a Microsoft Word document and are struggling to add a signature there, you can use this same method. All you have to do is import the Word document into Google docs and sign it following our instructions. Then, you can download it as a Word document again and continue working on it.

Method 2: Use Add-Ons

If you plan to send this document to someone else for their signature or you want something more official and legally binding for a crucial and sensitive document, you can opt for an add-on. Add-ons for adding signatures to your Google doc are safer and better in this regard because they have additional features.

For instance, they can note down the identity and time stamp of the signature for security reasons. So, if you don’t want to take any risks with your signature or document, you can install an add-on to your Google doc from the Chrome add-on store.

To do so, click on the Add-ons option in the Google doc. From the drop-down menu, click on Get Add-ons. This will take you to a new window with the Chrome store. Over here, you can choose a relevant add-on. Some add-ons which are great for adding a signature include:

· PandaDoc

· DocuSign

· Dotted: Signature Creator

· BitSign

· PDFfiller

· Signaturit

· SignOnline

· ScripTouch and Sign and Save

· HelloSign

· Sign Request for Google Docs

You can search for the add-on from the search bar and install it. After installation, it will appear in your Add-ons menu. Now, whenever you want to add a signature, select the add-on from the Add-ons menu and follow its instructions to add your signature. The first time you run the add-on, it will ask for permissions. Click on Continue to use the add-on.

Conclusion

While we have shown you how to sign a document using Google docs, it is not an official feature of the word processor yet. Therefore, you might find it difficult to do so from the Google docs app on your phone. If you really need to add a signature through your phone, you might need to install and use a third-party app or add-on.

However, these are not always free, and some might even leave their own watermark on the document. So, stick to the methods we’ve described and sign the document only from your laptop or computer.