[2023] How to Add Digital Signature to Word?

With the ongoing digital transformation, digital signatures have become a new norm in the business world. The growing shift towards virtual communication and remote work has made electronic signatures a convenient and effective way of signing and validating documents. Since Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software, many Word users intend to learn how to add a digital signature to Word. So, if you are also looking for this solution, then this guide is for you. Here we will present the step-by-step approach on how to add digital signatures to Word, starting with the most effective way of adding digital signs to documents using UPDF.

Part 1. What is Digital Signature, and Why is It Important?

In simple words, a digital signature is an electronic form of signature used to confirm the authenticity and integrity of a digital document. The digital signature validates that the information is originated from the signer and is not altered. It ensures end-to-end integrity by using a mathematical algorithm that validates the transparency of digital content.

One of the most crucial benefits of a digital signature is ensuring the signer's identity. It is based on public-key cryptography, which eradicates the chances of manipulating the signature. Moreover, electronic signatures are easily signed and verified, thereby reducing the time and cost linked with printing, signing, scanning, and sending paper documents. In short, a digital signature is an effective way to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the document.

Part 2. The Best Way to Add Digital Signature to Documents

Since most digital documents are shared in PDF form, the preferred approach is adding a digital signature directly to the PDF file. To add your sign in a PDF document, UPDF is the best easy-to-use PDF tool.

UPDF is an all-in-one PDF editor toolkit that provides a click-based interface to easily sign digital documents without hassle, no matter with a computer or a smartphone. It allows you to draw and insert a digital signature anywhere in the PDF without compromising the quality of the PDF. Follow the below steps to add a digital signature to a PDF file with UPDF:

Step 1. Download and install UPDF on your Windows PC. Once you launch UPDF, click the "Open File" button to open the PDF file. If your document is in a Word file currently, you can save it as PDF (File > Save as) and then open it in UPDF.

Step 2. Under the "Annotate" tab, select the "Signature" option and then click the "Create" button.

Step 3. Draw your signature using one of the three options, i.e., keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. Once done, click the "Create" button. Afterward, adjust the size and position of the signature in the document.

That's it! This way, you can easily add a digital signature to a Word document with an instant, click-based approach of UPDF. Other than just signing Word or PDFs, UPDF is a complete toolbox for PDF files with key features, such as:

Editing: It allows the editing of texts, images, fonts, backgrounds, watermarks, links, and all other aspects of PDF documents.
Annotating: It makes it easy to highlight, add comments, insert stamps and stickers, and do other annotations.
Converting: It provides an instant way to convert PDFs to different formats, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, text, etc.
Organizing: It lets you easily add, replace, delete, rotate, crop, rearrange, split, or extract PDF pages.
OCR PDF Documents: Its OCR technology intelligently converts scanned PDFs and paper images and documents into searchable and editable PDFs.
Create PDF: UPDF also supports creating PDFs from images, blank pages, or CAJ files.

In short, UPDF is a must-have tool for electronic signatures and for easy editing and customizing PDF files instantly.

Part 3. Other Common Ways to Add Digital Signature to Word

Microsoft Word is a globally used word processing software for creating professional-looking documents with ease. Besides creating documents, another useful feature of Word is its ability to add a digital signature to a document. In fact, you can add a digital signature to Word in two ways, i.e., you can draw and add a fresh signature or insert a picture of your signature directly in Word. Let's discuss how to use both these methods by following the below steps:

Method 1. Draw and Add a Signature to Word

Open the Word document where you want to add a signature.
Click the "Draw" tab from the top and choose the pen of your choice.
Use the "Drawing Canvas" option to specify the area where you want to add the size.
Draw your signature.
Once the signature is added to the document, resize and position it properly in the document.

Method 2. Insert a Picture of the Signature in Word

Open the Word document where you want to add a signature.
Click the "Insert" tab from the top and click Pictures > This Device.
Select the picture of the signature you want to add and click "Insert".
Once the signature is added to the document, resize and position it properly in the document.

This way, you can easily add a digital signature to Word by drawing the sign or inserting a picture.

Bonus Tip: How to Draw Signature Line in Word

If you also want to add a signature line in Word, you can do it using the below three methods:

1. Add a Horizontal Line

Under the "Home" tab, click the downward arrow located next to the "Borders" button and select "Horizontal Line".

Once the line is added, double-click it to edit its settings as you want.

2. Add a Line Shape

Click the "Insert" tab from the top. Click "Shapes" and then choose the first line.
Drag the cursor to the point where you want to add the line. To keep the line straight, press the "Shift" key while dragging the cursor.

3. Add an MS Office Signature Line

Click the "Insert" tab from the top and click the "Signature Line" option under the "Text" section.

Fill out the details as per your preference and click "OK".

This way, you can easily add a signature line in Word.

Conclusion

In today's digitalized era, digital signatures are highly valuable in authenticating documents. By following the steps discussed in this article, you can easily add digital signatures to Word and quickly sign documents. However, if you are looking for a more convenient and efficient way of signing, then UPDF PDF-based signing approach is more effective. Its simple click-based interface for instant electronic signing and digital features, such as OCR feature or adding stamps/stickers, make it the ideal tool to digitally sign documents. To sum up, download UPDF today and set a convenient approach to signing documents.