Using signature in word

Your handwritten signature gives your document a personal touch. You can scan your signature and store it as a picture to insert in the document.

You can also insert a signature line to indicate where a signature should be written.

Create and insert a handwritten signature

You need a scanner to do this.

  1. Write your signature on a piece of paper.

  2. Scan the page and save it on your computer in a common file format: .bmp, .jpg, or .png.

    For information on how to use your scanner, use the manufacturer’s manual or Web site.

  3. Open the image file in Word.

  4. Select the image and on the Picture Format tab, click Crop and use the handles to crop the image.

    Crop command on the Picture Tools Format tab

  5. Right-click the image, and choose Save as Picture to save as a separate file.

  6. To add the signature to a document, click Insert > Picture                                                  s.

    The Pictures command on the Insert tab

Include typewritten text with your reusable signature

If you want information like your job title, phone number, or email address to be part of your signature, save it along with the picture as AutoText.

  1. Type the text you want under the inserted picture.

  2. Select the picture and the typed text.

  3. Click Insert > Quick Parts.

    Quick Parts command on the Insert tab

  4. Click Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery. The Create New Building Block box opens.

    Create New Building Block dialog box

  5. In the Name box, type a name for your signature block.

  6. In the Gallery box, select AutoText.

  7. Click OK.

  8. When you want to use this signature, place the insertion point where you want to insert the signature block.

  9. Click Insert > Quick Parts > AutoText, and then click the name of your signature block.

Insert a signature line

Use the Signature Line command to insert a signature line with an X by it to show where to sign a document.

  1. Click where you want the line.

  2. Click Insert > Signature Line.

    The Signature Line command on the Insert tab

  3. Click Microsoft Office Signature Line.

  4. In the Signature Setup box, you can type a name in the Suggested signerbox. You can also add a title in the Suggested signer’s title box.

  5. Click OK. The signature line appears in your document.

    A signature line in Word with an X indicating where the signature should be written

Your handwritten signature gives your document a personal touch. You can scan your signature, store it as a picture, and then insert your signature in Word documents.

Scan and insert a picture of your handwritten signature

You need a scanner to do this.

  1. Write your signature on a piece of paper.

  2. Scan the page and save it on your computer in a common file format: .BMP, .GIF, .JPG, or .PNG.

    Tip: For information on how to use your scanner, use the manufacturer’s manual or Web site.

  3. On the Insert tab, click Pictures > Picture from File.

    On the Insert tab, Picture from File is highlighted.

  4. Browse to the picture you want to insert, select it, and then click Insert.

  5. Click the picture to show the Picture Format tab.

  6. On the Picture Format tab, click Crop, and then crop the signature.

    On the Picture Format tab, Crop is highlighted.

  7. Right-click the picture, and then click Save as Picture to save it as a separate file you can use in other documents.

Include text with your reusable signature

If you want information, such as your job title, phone number, or email address to be part of your signature, save it along with the picture as AutoText.

  1. Type the text you want under the inserted picture.

  2. Select the picture and the typed text.

  3. On the Insert menu, click AutoText > New.

    Insert menu with AutoText > New is highlighted.

  4. The Create New AutoText box opens.

    Create New AutoText dialog box

    Next to Name, type a name for your signature block and click OK.

  5. When you want to use this signature, place the insertion point where you want to insert the signature block.

  6. On the Insert menu, click AutoText > AutoText, and then click the name of your signature block.

Microsoft Word logo on a blue background

To insert a signature line into a Word document, click Insert > Signature, and fill out the «Signature Setup» box. You can also insert a digital signature, or use Insert > Pictures to insert signature from an image.

Adding your signature to a Microsoft Word document is the ultimate way to personalize it as your own, especially for documents like letters or contracts. If you want to add a signature to a Word document, here’s how.

There are several ways to add your signature to a Word document. You can add a signature line for a post-print signature, add a digital signature, or insert your own handwritten signature as a picture.

RELATED: How to Electronically Sign PDF Documents Without Printing and Scanning Them

How to Add a Signature Line in Word

A signature line provides you, or somebody else, with a location to sign a printed document. If you’re planning on printing your Word document, adding a signature line is probably the easiest way for you to add a signature.

To add a signature line to your Word document, click Insert > Signature Line. This icon is usually included in the “Text” section of your Word ribbon menu bar.

In the “Signature Setup” box that appears, fill out your signature details. You can include the name, title, and email address of the signer. This can be you or somebody else.

You can also provide instructions for the signer. Once you’re ready, click “OK” to insert your signature line.

Once you’ve confirmed your signature options, a signature line is inserted with a cross and a line to signify where to sign.

A signature line inserted into a Microsoft Word document

You can now place this into an appropriate position within your Word document. The document can then be signed at this position after printing or, if you’ve saved your Word document into the DOCX file format, you can insert a digital signature into your document at this point.

RELATED: What Is a .DOCX File, and How Is It Different from a .DOC File in Microsoft Word?

To add a digital signature to your Word document, you’ll need to have followed the above instructions and inserted a signature line first.

You’ll also need to install a security certificate for your signature. If you don’t have one, Word will ask you if you’d like to acquire one from a “Microsoft Partner” like GlobalSign.

As an alternative, you can create your own digital certificate using the “Selfcert” tool, included in your Microsoft Office installation folder.

Find “Selfcert.exe” in your Office installation folder and double-click it to open it.

In the Selfcert tool, type a name for your security certificate in the “Your Certificate Name” box and then click “OK” to create it.

Once you have a digital certificate installed, return to your Word document and double-click on your signature line.

In the “Sign” box that appears, type your name or click “Select Image” to insert a picture of your handwritten signature.

Click “Sign” to insert your digital signature into the Word document.

Once signed, Word will confirm that the signature has been added.

If you edit the document after signing it, the digital signature will become invalid, and you’ll need to sign it again.

An inserted digital signature into a Microsoft Word document

How to Add a Picture Signature in Word

If you’d prefer to use your handwritten signature, you can take a picture or scan a copy of it and then upload it to your computer. You can then insert a picture of your signature into the Word document.

RELATED: How to Insert a Picture or Other Object in Microsoft Office

Click Insert > Pictures to insert the image into your document manually. Alternatively, double-click on your signature line and choose “Select Image” to insert it on your signature line.

In the “Insert Pictures” menu box, click “From a File” and select your signature image file. From there, click “Sign” to place the image onto your signature line.

Once inserted, the image file containing your signature will be inserted above your signature line.

An inserted picture signature in Microsoft Word

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Easily create and insert a signature for your documents

Updated on December 23, 2022

What to Know

  • Scan and insert a signature image into a new Word document. Type your information beneath it.
  • Select the signature block. Go to Insert > Quick Parts > Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery. Name the signature. Select AutoText > OK.
  • Add the saved signature to any document by going to Insert > Quick Parts > AutoText > Name of signature.

This article explains how to insert a signature in Word using the AutoText feature in Word 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and Word for Microsoft 365. It also includes information on adding a blank signature line and on inserting an encrypted digital signature.

How to Insert a Signature in Word Using AutoText

Use Word’s Quick Parts and AutoText feature to create a complete signature that includes your handwritten signature and typed text, such as your job title, email address, and phone number. Here’s how. 

  1. Begin by scanning and inserting a handwritten signature in a new Word document

  2. Type the information you want to use directly beneath the inserted signature image. Format the text as you want it to appear when you insert the signature block in documents.

  3. Drag your mouse over the image and text to select and highlight it. 

  4. Go to the Insert tab and select Quick Parts in the Text group. 

  5. Choose Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery. The Create New Building Block dialog box opens.

  6. Type a name for the signature block.

  7. Choose AutoText in the Gallery Box and select OK to save the signature block.

  8. Any time you want to add the signature in Word, go to the Insert tab, select Quick Parts, point to AutoText, and select the name of the signature block. 

How to Add a Blank Signature Line

To add a blank signature line to allow someone to sign a printed document, insert a normal signature line but without any contextual data.

  1. Select a space in the Word document.

  2. Go to the Insert tab and select Signature Line.

  3. Select any options you want and choose OK. Selecting few or no options leaves a blank line.

  4. A signature line appears ion the document where you placed your cursor.

How to Add an Encrypted Digital Signature

Use built-in tools to digitally sign a Word document. A digital signature is an encrypted, electronic form of authentication that confirms that a document hasn’t been altered.

To create a digital signature:

  1. Place the cursor where you want to create a signature line in your document. 

  2. Go to the Insert tab.

  3. Select Signature Line in the Text group and select Microsoft Office Signature Line.

  4. In the dialog box, type the relevant information, including the signer’s full name, title, email address, and instructions. 

  5. Select Allow the Signer to Add Comments in the Sign Dialog to allow the signer to insert his or her purpose for signing.

  6. Select Show Sign Date in Signature Line if you want the date the document was signed to appear.

  7. When you’re finished making your selections, click OK and the signature is inserted into your document where you placed the cursor. 

  8. Right-click the signature line and select Sign to add your signature. 

  9. In the Sign dialog box that appears, type your name in the box provided, or if you prefer, you can select an image of your handwritten signature. After you’ve made your choices, click Sign.

FAQ

  • How do I insert a footnote in Word?

    To insert footnotes in a Word document, place the cursor in the text where you want the footnote and select References. In the Footnotes group, select Insert Footnote. You’ll see a superscript number in the text; the cursor will move to the bottom of the page. Type and format your footnote.

  • How do I insert a checkbox in Word?

    To insert a checkbox in Word, place the cursor in the text where you want the checkbox and go to the Home tab. Select the Bullets dropdown; when you see the Bullet Library pop-out, select Define New Bullet > Symbol. Choose a suitable symbol for your checkbox and select OK.

  • How do I insert page numbers in Word?

    To add page numbers in Word, place your cursor where you want page numbers to begin and select the Insert tab. Select Page Number > Page Number; choose the position and alignment you want. Click OK. Select Header or Footer on the toolbar to choose your formatting for the page numbering.

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Microsoft Word is one of the leading word processing platforms. Whether it be for personal, educational, or professional purposes, countless people depend on Microsoft Word to create important documents.

For professionals using Microsoft Word to create contracts, sales proposals, and other documents that require signatures, it’s important to know how to insert a signature in Word. Learning how to do so can save you the hassle of having to print out documents to sign them before scanning them back onto your computer.

how to insert a signature in word

Here’s everything you need to know about how to add a signature in Word using Word’s built-in tools or a third-party electronic signature platform like jSign.

Microsoft Word makes it as easy to add a signature to Word documents. By inserting your custom electronic signature, you can sign documents in a matter of seconds without having to print them out.

Follow these steps to quickly insert a signature in Word:

  1. Write your signature on a blank piece of white paper.
  2. Scan the signature to your computer, and make sure to save the file as a .bmp, .gif, .png, or .jpg file.
  3. Open a new Word document, select Insert, click Pictures, then open the image of your signature.
  4. Use the Picture Tools Format tab to edit the picture as needed.
  5. Right-click the image in the document and select Save as Picture.
  6. Open the Word document that you need to sign, click Insert, select Pictures, then choose the image of your electronic signature.
  7. Drag and drop the image to the appropriate place in the document.

After uploading and editing a picture of your handwritten signature, you can easily insert it into any Word document to sign it quickly without needing to print or scan it. 

How to Add a Signature Line in Word

If you are creating a document and need to collect signatures from others, it’s important to know how to add a signature line in Word. A signature line shows recipients where they should sign once they receive the document.

To add a signature line in Word, follow these steps:

  • Create a new Word document or open an existing document that you need to add a signature line to.
  • Left-click the place in the document where you want to add the signature line.
  • Under the Insert dropdown menu, select Signature Line.
  • In the dialogue box that appears, select the appropriate options.
  • Click OK.

You can repeat this process as needed to add multiple signature lines to a Word document. 

Using a Third-Party App to Sign a Word Document

While Microsoft Word offers a few basic features that allow users to insert a signature in Word documents, it doesn’t have the functionality and features that electronic signature platforms like jSign offer.

Third-party apps like jSign offer several additional features that grant users more flexibility when signing Word documents online.

Rather than handwriting your signature and scanning it to your computer, electronic signature platforms let you create a custom e-signature online that you can easily insert into any document, including Word docs. You can also create name and date fields, add signature lines to documents, send documents to recipients to collect signatures, and save your documents to the cloud for easy organization.

jSign also helps protect the authenticity of your documents by taking advantage of technology like blockchain stamping, two-factor authentication, and Certificates of Completion.

Aside from Word documents, platforms like jSign support a variety of file formats, including .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx, .bmp, .png, and .jpg.

How to Sign a Word Document With jSign

jSign makes it easy to insert a signature in a Word document.

After signing up with jSign and creating your electronic signature, follow these steps to sign a Word document:

  1. Log into your jSign account.
  2. Open your computer’s file manager, then drag and drop the Word document to upload it to jSign.
  3. Add yourself to the document as a signer alongside any recipients.
  4. Insert signature placeholders as needed throughout the document.
  5. Edit the signature placeholders to insert your electronic signature.
  6. Save the Word document.
  7. If necessary, set up due dates and reminders to collect signatures from others in a timely manner.
  8. Click Finish to send the document to the recipients.

You can repeat this process with other types of files, including PDFs, to sign documents quickly without having to print or scan them.

After signing a document, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion that includes IP addresses, device IDs, timestamps, and other information to help verify the authenticity of the document.

jSign Features & Benefits

When it comes to signing Word documents, it’s hard to beat jSign’s wide range of user-friendly features. jSign is designed to make it as easy and convenient as possible to sign, send, and organize documents online.

Sign & Send Documents

With jSign, users can upload documents directly from their computer or a compatible cloud storage platform, insert their signatures, and add placeholders for recipients to sign.

When collecting signatures from others, you can set up due dates and reminders, send documents to an unlimited number of contacts, choose from sequential or parallel signing orders, and save signed documents in the cloud for easy access.

Blockchain Stamping

jSign uses blockchain stamping to track documents and create audit trails. All changes made to your document are recorded to help protect against tampering and fraud.

Compliance

When signing documents online, it’s important to use a platform that complies with e-signature laws to ensure your documents are enforceable. jSign is compliant with all major electronic signature laws, including the ESIGN Act and UETA.

Contact Management

With jSign, you can easily add, save, and manage contacts. Whenever you create a document, you can send it to an unlimited number of contacts, making it easy to streamline communications and document workflows.

4 Ways to Sign

jSign users can choose one of four methods to create their custom electronic signatures. You can choose from a list of signature templates, draw your signature, use a signing pad, or upload a picture of your signature.

Sign Up Now

jSign is available as a limited free trial featuring all of its capabilities, and paid plans start at just $9.99 a month.

Join today to start signing documents online!

Choose a Plan

  • You can add a signature to a Microsoft Word document in several ways, depending on the computer you’re using.
  • You can upload a physical signature using a scanner or a cell phone, add additional text like your job title, and then save it to be reused later.

Inserting your signature into a Microsoft Word document is a way to put your own stamp on it and make it look official and professional. It’s also much easier than signing documents individually if you need to send them out en masse.

You can also insert signature lines into your documents so they can be signed once they’re printed out.

While you can add signatures to Word documents on both Microsoft and Mac computers, the process is slightly different depending on which one you’re using. The methods listed below work for: Word for Microsoft 365, Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Word 2019, Word 2019 for Mac, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word 2016 for Mac.

How to add a signature in Word on Windows computer

Insert a handwritten signature 

1. Sign your name on a piece of paper the way you would any physical document. You may want to use a thicker writing instrument than usual.

2. Scan the page and save it as a JPG or PNG.

3. Open the image in your computer’s File Explorer.

4. To crop the image, click the crop tool at the top of your Image Explorer toolbar. 

add_signature_in_word

Open the image you scanned and crop using the built-in tool.

Melanie Weir/Insider


5. Once you’ve cropped the image to your liking, click Save a copy.

add signature

Save the crop when you’re happy with it.

Melanie Weir/Insider


6. To add the signature to your document, go to the Insert tab in the Word toolbar, select Pictures, and choose a method to insert the file you just saved. Use the dots at any of the four corners of the image to resize it to your liking.

How to add a signature in Word   3 (2)

To add the signature, go to Insert > Pictures, and select the file you just saved.

Melanie Weir/Insider


Insert text with a reusable signature

You can include information like your job title, email, phone number as part of your signature by saving that information as AutoText with the image.

1. Type the text that you want to appear every time you use this signature under the picture of your signature that you just inserted.

2. Use your cursor to highlight both the text and the image.

3. Go to the Insert tab in the toolbar and select Quick Parts. If you don’t see that label, the icon will be located in the Text section of the tab, near the WordArt tool.

How_to_add_a_signature_in_Word_ _4

Go to Insert > Quick Parts or select the depicted tool.

Melanie Weir/Insider


4. Click Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery. This will open a window labeled Create New Building Block.

How to add a signature in Word   5 (1)

Click Save Selection to Quick Parts Gallery.

Melanie Weir/Insider


5. Where it says Name, type out a label for the signature block, so you can easily find it to use later.

6. In the Gallery box of the New Building Block window, choose AutoText, then click OK. This will save the signature and the text you selected along with it as a reusable signature.

How to add a signature in Word   6

Give the signature a name, set it to AutoText, then click OK.

Melanie Weir/Insider


7. Whenever you want to use this signature, first place the cursor where you want it to go.

8. Go to Insert > Quick Parts > AutoText and select the name of the signature you just created, and it will appear.

How to insert a signature line

1. In the document, click the spot where you want the line to appear

2. Go to the Insert tab and click Signature Line. If you don’t see this written out, it will be an icon in the Text section, near the WordArt tool.

How_to_add_a_signature_in_Microsoft_Word_ _7

Go to Insert > Signature Line or select the depicted icon.

Melanie Weir/Insider


4. Select Microsoft Office Signature Line from the dropdown menu. This will bring up the Signature Setup box.

How to add a signature in Microsoft Word   8

Click Microsoft Office Signature Line.

Melanie Weir/Insider


5. If it’s appropriate, you can type a name in the Suggested signer box, or add a title in the Suggested signer’s title box. This is useful if you would otherwise need the signer to both print and sign their name.

How to add a signature in Microsoft Word   9

Adjust the settings in the Signature Setup box to your liking.

Melanie Weir/Insider


6. When you’re finished, click OK, and the signature line will appear in the document.

How to add a signature in Word on a Mac computer

Insert a handwritten signature

1. Sign your name on a piece of paper the way you would any physical document.

2. Scan the page and save it as a JPG or PNG image.

3. In the Insert tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen, click Pictures.

4. Choose Picture from File from the dropdown menu that appears.

5. Find the picture you just uploaded, click it, then click Insert.

6. Once the picture appears in the document, click on it to bring up the Picture Format tab in the ribbon.

7. In that tab, click Crop, then crop the image to your liking.

8. Right-click the image and click Save as Picture to save it to Word as a file you can use again on other documents.

Insert text with a reusable signature

1. Type the text you want to see with your name in the line underneath the picture.

2. Using your cursor, highlight both the text and the image.

3. On the toolbar at the top of your screen, click Insert.

4. In the dropdown menu, click AutoText > New to open the Create New AutoText box.

5. Give a name to this signature block so you can find it again later, then click OK.

6. The next time you want to use this signature, first place your cursor in the spot where you want it.

7. Go to Insert > AutoText again, and choose AutoText when prompted.

8. Click the name you gave your signature block to insert it into your document.

Melanie Weir

Freelance author

Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at melanie.weir1008@gmail.com, or through LinkedIn.

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