How to Create a Digital Signature in Word?
(Photo : How to Create a Digital Signature in Word?)

Signature is globally recognized as a form of acknowledgment. When a signature is present on a document where it is supposed to be, it means you've read the document and agree to whatever is written on it. That's how agreements, treaties, buying and selling, and literally everything works.

A few decades back, all of us were signing on physical paper, also known as a hard copy. But with the advancement in technology, we're finding ourselves interacting with Word documents more and more, which requires digital signatures in Word. 

But how do you create a digital signature for yourself? Or how do you get a digital document signed from a person who doesn't have a digital signature at his/her end?

In this article, we'll explain to you how to create electronic signatures of Word documents and enable others to do so.

Part 1: How to Create a Digital Signature in Word?

Creating a digital signature in Word might sound like a process that requires a wealth of programming knowledge. That's the case until you learn about signature creators, like the one offered by CocoSign, enabling you to create your own digital signature in seconds. 

CocoSign is generally a digital document signing and management software. The signature generator feature is a part of its cloud-based digitization solution for small and mid-size businesses. 

Because it is cloud-based, anyone with an internet connection can access the suite. Thus, companies can streamline their workflow and improve productivity, which in turn helps their bottom line.

To sign your Word document digitally with CocoSign, you need to follow the following steps:

Upload

Visit CocoSign's "Sign Word Document" Page, and click "Choose File". This allows you to upload your Word document, by either dragging or dropping,  or simply uploading it directly from Google Drive, Onedrive, and Dropbox. 

Upload

Sign

Next, click the area where you want to place your signature. Choose the signature type and create an electronic signature to add to your document. There are two ways to do this:

1. Draw Your Signature

The first way you can create your digital signature in Word is by drawing it. You need to draw it on CocoSign's online canvas using a mouse or touchpad. If you're on a touch-enabled device, you can use the touchscreen, which offers better accuracy. You can undo and redo your movement until you're satisfied with the signature. 

Draw Your Signature

2. Type Your Name

The second way -- and a rather easier way -- to create your signature is by using the Signature Generator. In this method, you just have to type your name, and the tool will automatically produce multiple signatures. These vary by font, size, length, and legibility. You can choose the one that matches with your handwritten signature. 

After creating an e-signature, you need to save it. You can save it on your local computer or CocoSign's secure cloud storage. The latter is more useful since you don't have to upload it back every time.

How to Electronically Sign A Word Document

Save and Download

Now you have an electronically signed document at your hand, which you can then process. The wet ink-like signature is hard to differentiate from a handwritten one.

Part 2: Why Should You Sign Digitally?

The digital medium has so many advantages over the physical medium. If you're looking for a solution on "How to electronically sign a Word Document," then chances are you already know the benefits of signing digitally, such as:

Create Once, Use Whenever Needed

With digital signatures, you don't have to be repetitive. Create the e-signature once and use it whenever needed. Of course, you can always change your signature with CocoSign's signature generator, but you never have to create your signatures again and again.

Sign From Anywhere In The World

With e-signatures, locations don't matter. Until and unless you have a weak internet connection, you can sign any document at any time. You just need an active internet connection to download the document. You can even sign in offline mode once you have the document. 

This comes to rescue if your job requires you to travel constantly. You can sign (or allow someone to sign) from a mobile device or computer.

Highly Accountable

When signing a document, parties involved want to ensure that the correct person is actually signing the document. That's why we have witnesses or third-parties. 

With CocoSign, you can be sure the concerned person is signing the document even when he/she is not physically present. CocoSign uses something called a "Digital Audit Trail" that records every transaction with the user's details. 

Legally Binding

The digital signatures, like the one created with CocoSign are recognized in all legal matters. This is because the signatures comply with ESIGN Act and eIDAS regulation. So you do not have to worry about your signature being invalid in legal trials.

Cost-Efficient

e-Signatures are used on e-documents requiring fewer resources to create and manage digital copies than physical copies. So by transacting more and more e-documents, you save money for yourself and your business.

Part 3: Who Should Use CocoSign?

CocoSign is a digital service open to anyone who needs to transit paperwork to digital format. An electronic signature is just a small component of it. So whether you are a CEO of a Fortune 500 company or an independent freelancer working in your pajamas, you'll benefit from CocoSign.

But here are the categories of people who'd benefit greatly from CocoSign:

  • Sales Team

People involved in the sales department more often than not find themselves working with targets either monthly or weekly. With e-signatures, you can sign contracts faster and in a more efficient manner. This lets you close more deals than chasing someone with a physical copy and pen.

  • Human Resource

Employee onboarding can be complicated. With e-signatures, you can sign up an employee faster. Just send him/her an offer letter and request a signed copy over the internet. Not only in the hiring process, but HR teams can better manage the entire employee lifecycle.

  • Legal Team

Law is a regulation-intensive field that demands heavy compliance at all levels. This can drastically slow down the process. With e-signatures, you can accelerate this process and expect approvals faster. With CocoSign, you can create Non-disclosure agreements, Power of Attorney forms, loan agreements, promissory notes, Merger-acquisition contracts, and sale-purchase contracts.

  • Operations

Managing an entire business operation is challenging, to say the least. But with e-documents and e-signatures, you can streamline the process to a great extent. CocoSign offers templates for vendor management, budget approval, NDA, purchase order, among others. Its in-built tracking tool lets you inspect where the document is yet to be processed if it isn't already.

  • Freelancer Contractors

Freelancers rarely see their clients face to face. They work virtually and get paid over the internet. If you're a freelancer, then you can request your client to sign an agreement before you initiate the work. With CocoSign, you can create work contracts, NDAs, payment schedule sheets, contract violation documents, among others. The flexible pricing doesn't burn a hole in your pocket either.

Top sectors who're already using e-Signatures:

  • Insurance

  • Technology

  • Government

  • Non-profit

  • Healthcare

  • Life Sciences

  • Sports

  • Real Estate

  • Construction and Real Estate

  • Finance and Wealth Management

  • Mortgage

Part 4: Electronic Signature in Word FAQs

How Does ESigning Work?

You can sign documents online using CocoSign. CocoSign is a Software-as-a-Service provider offering online document/agreement creation and e-signature tools. You just have to create a document using one of its available templates or upload it. Then with Signature Generator, create your e-signature with which you can sign the doc electronically.

What Makes An Electronic Signature Valid?

A valid electronic signature establishes the signer's intent to accept the agreement. This is done by requiring the signer to take an action like drawing the signature or typing their name using a mouse or touchscreen.

What Does An ESignature Look Like?

An esignature looks pretty much the same as paper and pen signature. It is legally binding, unless it is proven otherwise. 

What Tool Can I Use To Sign Digital Documents?

CocoSign is an online signature maker that can be used to sign digital documents. The tool also allows you to store your signed documents on its cloud server. 

In a word, if you want to sign a Word document or send it for others to sign, it's highly recommended to try digital signatures provided by signature generators like CocoSign, saving the tremendous hassle and headache as well as turnaround time. 

ⓒ 2024 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
* This is a contributed article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of techtimes.com
Join the Discussion