How Do I Add A Signature In Google Docs?
Digitally signing paperwork isn’t a new concept, as it has been available for quite some time now by using Adobe Photoshop, for example. But not everyone has Photoshop, and it isn’t very convenient at all.
In this case, you may be wondering if there is a quick and easy way for you to digitally add your signature to a Google Doc.
Thankfully, there are three different ways that you can easily sign your name on your document. In this article, we will look at these three popular options and their pros and cons to help you decide which option will be best for you.
Perhaps one of the most well-known and simple ways you can sign your signature on a Google document is by using Google drawings. You can use this platform to write your name and then import it into your document.
Continue reading for a step-by-step process of how you can do this with Google Drawings, as well as a few other free methods that you may find to be better for your situation:
How Do I Add My Signature To A Google Doc With Google Drawings?
Using this method to import your signature into a Google Doc is most popular since it is already integrated with Google itself.
Since Google saves everything in the cloud, your drawing that contains your signature can be saved, downloaded, and later reused on another document instead of writing your name all over again.
Google Drawings is also very easy to use, and to the point. With the “Scribble” setting, you can move the pen very easily, even if you are using a computer mouse to write your name. It may take a time or two to get used to this, but it is still very easy and attainable.
To add your signature to a Google doc using Google drawings, simply follow this step-by-step process featured below:
Step #1: Open your desired document.
Step #2: Select the “Insert” button, once inside of your Google Doc.
Step #3: Click “add a new drawing.” Once you have opened a drawing in Google
Step #4: Select Line > Scribble.
Step #5: You can proceed to write with your mouse (or finger if on a mobile device).
Step #6: Hit “Save” and “Close” once you are satisfied with the drawing.
Once completed and saved, your signature will appear in the place where you last placed your cursor.
This is an extremely easy method that anyone can do, even if you are using a computer mouse. As mentioned before, it might take doing this once or twice before you can get your signature just the way you like it.
If you are struggling to make your signature presentable, there is also a way you can slightly adjust it.
To Edit: Once your signature is on the document, you can see an “Edit” button if you hover your cursor over the image.
With this edit feature, you can make small adjustments and change the size and alignment of your signature.
With the “Position” feature, you can move the signature entirely, there is also a “Text Wrapping” feature.
What Are The Pros? What are the benefits of using Google Drawings? The best part about it is that it’s already available to anyone and can be done in a matter of minutes.
Since drawings are a Google feature, your signature will be saved in the cloud. This allows you to import the signature into any other Google program; such as Drive, Keep, Sheets, etc.
Google’s “Scribble” pen is also very easy to use. Drawings certainly isn’t a complex program and don’t have a ton of features. But for a simple signature, it is perfect for this task.
What Are The Cons? The only major con of using Google Drawings is that it can take some practice to get a good signature if you are using your computer mouse to write.
However, if this is something you find to be an issue, you can either edit the signature afterward or use a touchscreen device that will allow you to use your finger or a stylus to write your name.
You could also draw your signature on your mobile device first, save the drawing, and later import it to your document. This would allow you to skip the pain of writing with a mouse altogether.
How to Sign Your Google Docs Using DocuSign?
Another option that you may consider if you aren’t a fan of using Google Drawings, would be installing a third-party add-on to your document, such as DocuSign.
Despite DocuSign being easy to use, however, it will take more time to set up this program than using Google Drawings. Since Drawings is already a part of Google and requires no sign-up (since you’re already logged in with your Google account), you can immediately start writing as soon as you enter your document.
But if you don’t already have DocuSign set up as an add-on to your Google Docs, you will have to go through the process of adding it, making an account, and following the email, instructions to start electronically signing your documents.
However, once you do have DocuSign, it will become a great tool that you may find valuable. This can be a great add-on to have, especially if you find yourself signing a lot of documents, either as an individual or a business owner.
DocuSign is not only compatible with Google applications, but can also be used with Microsoft Word. Having a versatile tool can be very useful, especially if you have several different devices or accounts that you will be used for documents.
If you would like to install DocuSign’s third-party add-on in Google Docs, you can use the following steps:
Step One: Open your desired Google document.
Step Two: Click “Add-ons” on the menu bar of the document.
Step Three: Search for DocuSign eSignature and add the application.
Step Four: Create an account with DocuSign. Follow the steps provided by DocuSign themselves to begin adding signatures to your document.
What Are The Pros? DocuSign is a great tool that is very popular for being a helpful and easy-to-use electronic digital signing application. This tool has many great reviews and is perfect for anyone - regardless of how tech-savvy they may be.
DocuSign has a free edition of their services that allows you to sign as many documents as you like, and also store all of your signatures in the cloud.
If you are a business owner, or simply find yourself required to sign a ton of paperwork and would like a way to do it digitally, this would be perfect for you.
What Are The Cons? However, if you are someone who very rarely finds themselves needing to sign something digitally, this may not be ideal for you.
Since DocuSign requires installing the add-on, making an account, and a slight learning curve to understand the basics of signing - it would be much easier for you to simply use Google Drawings.
Also, it is worth noting that if you are a business owner, you might not be able to simply get by with a free DocuSign account.
They have several different priced packages for businesses, so you can choose what you need. A standard individual package is 25/mo, and the most expensive package (Business Premium) is 135/mo per user.
How to Sign Your Google Docs Using SignRequest?
Another method for electronically signing your Google document would be by using SignRequest.
Much like DocuSign, this is a third-party add-on that you will need to create yourself an account for. However, instead of connecting directly through Google Docs, you will typically connect SignRequest to your Gmail account.
Then through Gmail, you can proceed to place your signature on any document of your choice. If you are a company, small business, or individual who shares a large number of documents mainly through email, this would be a very helpful tool for you.
SignRequest can also attach directly to your Google Docs or Google Drive for free. However, to attach to Docs, you will need to integrate the add-on with G Suite.
This is something you should keep in mind when deciding how you want to go about adding your signature to documents.
If SignRequest is an add-on that you would like to give a try, take a look at the following steps below:
Step One: Install the SignRequest Gmail add-on. You can do this by searching for “SignRequest” in the web store and then hitting the “add to Chrome” button.
Step Two: Once you have installed the add-on and have an account, you can choose to send a document signature request, or sign one yourself.
For instance, if you have been sent a signature request through email, you will click the “review document” button in the email.
Step Three: When reviewing the document, you will be given options of what you would like to do next.
SignRequest gives you the ability to add an attachment to the existing document, forward it to another address, or add input in predefined fields. If you wish to sign the document, you will need these predefined fields.
By selecting this, a pop-up will open and you will be able to add a signature, date, text, or checkbox.
When adding a signature you will typically have four options to choose from:
Use a previous signature that has been saved in the cloud.
Draw a new signature. You can use your computer mouse or your finger on a touchscreen phone or tablet.
Type a signature. This won’t usually look as natural as drawing one yourself, but it is still an available option for anyone who doesn’t have the time or will to draw one at that moment.
Upload a signature picture. This works best with a transparent image and allows you to add a 'real' signature which can be stored in your account.
If you are not satisfied with how your signature turned out, simply hit the “clear” button in the corner and retry. Once you have finished your signature, you can save and send the document to your desired location.
What Are The Pros? In similarity to DocuSign, this application is very easy to use, and to the point when used for its created purpose. Reviews say that SignRequest has a very simple and to-the-point layout, and is great for both commercial and everyday usage.
Many people have begun using SignRequest in recent times, due to the pandemic, and need a safe and simple way of getting signatures on documents.
In addition to this, SignRequest is actually one of the cheaper e-sign applications out there.
What Are The Cons? Despite being a more cost-effective option for digital signatures, SignRequest only offers a 14-day free trial and no free account whatsoever.
The cheapest account is 9/mo per user and allows you to sign unlimited documents, have custom branding, create one team, and a secure audit trail.
As you can see, even at the basic entry-level account, you are provided with many helpful tools that would be good enough for the average individual.
However, if you would want a business account, you will have to be prepared to pay a higher cost of 15/mo per user. This will provide you with more “professional features” and unlimited documents, teams, brands, and templates.
In conclusion, which one of these methods for adding a signature to your Google Doc would I recommend? The answer to this question is really going to depend on what your needs are.
If you are looking for a one-time solution to adding a signature to your doc, I would recommend using Google Drawings. This method will take very little time, (literally no more than ten minutes) requires no login, and is completely free.
But if you are a business, then you may find one of the add-ons to be a better solution. With either DocuSign or SignRequest, your signatures can be saved in the cloud, and have other features that allow you to email the documents back and forth with ease.
If you are on a budget and would prefer a more professional system for signing documents, I would suggest DocuSign as the best option. With their free account, you have all the tools you need to digitally sign documents with ease.
If you have any feedback on this article or advice to share, please feel free to leave it in the comments below!
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