Reader lets you sign PDFs and incorporate that signature into the file. If you are viewing a PDF on the web, download the PDF first before you sign it.
4 Create an Electronic Signature on a Mac; New technologies have created changes in almost every business. Cloud-based systems make it easier to do business with anyone in the world, and contracts. How to Create a Signature with Acrobat Pro by Christina Freeman Acrobat Pro, the paid version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, has a variety of business and home office uses, including a feature that allows you to sign an Acrobat Document using a Digital ID.
Some documents have security applied that prohibits electronic signatures. Print such documents and then sign the printed copy.
To sign a PDF document or form, you can type, draw, or insert an image of your handwritten signature. You can also add text, such as your name, company, title, or the date. When you save the document, the signature and text become part of the PDF.
Open the PDF document or form that you want to sign.
Click the Sign icon in the toolbar. Alternatively, you can choose Tools > Fill & Sign or choose Fill & Sign from the right pane.
The form fields are detected automatically. Hover the mouse over a field to display a blue box. Click anywhere in the blue box, the cursor will be placed at the right position automatically. Type your text to fill the field.
Hover the mouse to display the detected text fieldNote:
For more information on filling your form, see Fill out your PDF form.
Click the Sign icon in the toolbar, and then choose whether you want to add your signature or just initials.
If you have already added signatures or initials, they are displayed as options to choose from.
If you've already added your signature or initials, just select it from the Sign options, and then click at the place in the PDF where you want to add your signature. Skip to the next step.
If you are signing for the first time, you see the Signature or Initials panel. Below is an example of the Signature panel.
You can choose to type, draw, or import a signature image. Added signatures and initials are saved for future use.- Type: Type your name in the field. You can choose from a small selection of signature styles; click Change Style to view a different style.
- Draw: Draw your signature in the field.
- Image: Browse and select an image of your signature.
- Save Signature: When this check box is selected, and you're signed in to Acrobat Reader or Acrobat, the added signature is saved securely in Adobe Document Cloud for reuse.
Click Apply, and then click at the place in the PDF where you want to place the signature or initial.
To move the placed signature or initial, click the field to highlight it and then use the arrow keys. To resize or delete the field, use the options in field toolbar.
Note:
If you want to use an image as your signature:
- Sign your name in black ink on a clean, blank sheet of white paper. Sign in the middle of the paper so you don't photograph or scan the edges.
- Photograph or scan your signature. If you are taking a picture of your signature, make sure that the page is lit and that no shadows fall across the signature.
- Transfer the photo or scan to your computer. Acrobat/Reader accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, TIF, and BMP files. You do not need to crop the image. Acrobat/Reader imports just the signature if the photo or scan is fairly clean.
After you have signed the form, you can share it with others. To share the form, follow the steps mentioned in the article Send your form.
You can get documents signed by others using the Fill and Sign tool, which relies on cloud services provided by Adobe Sign. It lets signers quickly sign agreements from anywhere using a web browser or mobile device. Signers are not required to sign up or purchase any Adobe product to sign the agreements.
An email is sent to the signers asking them to sign the agreements. Once signed, both you and your signers receive the signed PDF by email. You can track the entire signing process in Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC from Home > For Signature.
For more information, see Send PDF documents for signature.
The creator of a PDF can encrypt the document with a certificatefor verifying digital signatures. Certificates that you receivefrom others are stored in a list of trusted identities. This listresembles an address book and enables you to validate the signaturesof these users on any documents you receive from them.
For more information, see these articles in Acrobat Help:
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New technologies have created changes in almost every business. Cloud-based systems make it easier to do business with anyone in the world, and contracts can be sent in seconds for other parties to read and review. Because waiting “for the ink to dry” and receiving the original signed paperwork can slow down the sale process, more companies are opting for digital signatures. While some third-party programs do this exclusively, business owners can use the Microsoft Office Suite, namely Word 2016, to sign a Word document with a digital signature.
Create a Signature Line
Use Word to create the document as you would prepare it for any signature. Remember to include any legal disclosures pertinent to the document. The signature is a means to time-stamp and validate the person who “signs” it. The digital signature stands in lieu of the wet signature, but it’s still designed to bind the person to the terms of the document or contract. Don’t make the mistake of relaxing your standards and language of self-protection simply because it’s in a digital format.
When you’re ready to insert the signature line, place the cursor at the place in which you want to collect the signature. Then, go to the top menu bar and select “Insert.” The drop-down menu will list many types of items that you can insert. Select “Signature Line” and then “Add Signature Services.” The signature line will appear.
Some versions of Word have no option for a signature line. Create a workaround by following these steps:
- Insert a table. Choose a 1x1 table, which means it’s a one-cell table.
- When the cell is inserted, adjust the width to make it the desired length and height.
- Choose a bottom border to create a line for the signature.
- Select “Apply” and click “OK.”
The signer will open the document and navigate to “Insert” followed by “Shapes” to choose “Lines.” In this menu, an option exists for “Scribble,” which allows a mouse or pen pad signature.
Signature Methods
To keep all records in a digital format to expedite processing and reduce paper waste and storage issues, some companies use digital signatures even when clients are physically sitting in front of them. In situations like this, the business might have a signature pad that is connected to the computer via a USB port. The person signing will have a stylus pen to sign his name on the pad in the spot indicated by the cursor. If no signature pad is available, the signator can sign the Word document using the mouse to add his name.
Digital Certificates for Validation
A digital certificate is like a digital notarization that confirms the date and time of the signature with a digital key. This isn’t available in Word but through Internet Explorer. Open Explorer and select “Internet Options”; then locate the “Content” tab and select it. Choose “Certificates” and “Personal.” You will be prompted to complete the information and attach the digital certificate to the document. Digital certificates are normally good for one year from the time of signing.
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About the Author
With more than 15 years of small business ownership including owning a State Farm agency in Southern California, Kimberlee understands the needs of business owners first hand. When not writing, Kimberlee enjoys chasing waterfalls with her son in Hawaii.