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With so much of our work conducted online, companies often opt for virtual signatures. It eliminates the cumbersome process of having documents hand-delivered for signing. While creating a document on your computer is pretty straightforward, signing it may present a challenge.
Fortunately, there are various methods you can use to sign a Google Doc. If you’re looking to do more than just type in your name, this guide will explain how to insert your signature in Google Docs.
How to Insert a Signature Line in Google Docs on a PC
There are several ways you can insert a signature in Google Docs from your PC. Some methods will look more professional than others. Selected techniques will even provide you with a secure and legally binding document.
When deciding on which way to go, bear in mind that signing a contract should be taken more seriously than signing a permission slip. Take a look at the techniques outlined below. After going through them, you can decide on one that best suits your needs.
Drawing Tool
- Open the Google Doc and click “Insert,” located at the top of the page.
- Select “Drawing” from the dropdown menu.
- Tap on “New” to open a drawing canvas.
- At the top of the page, press the line icon.
- From the dropdown menu displayed, pick “Scribble.”
- Move the cursor to the blank canvas and draw your signature using your mouse.
- A set of tools will appear at the top of the page. You can use them to choose the thickness and color of your lines. The eraser tool will help you edit out any mistakes.
- When you are finished with your signature, hit “Save and Close.”
Your image will be displayed in the document. Please note that using your mouse to draw your signature might not look as clean and professional as you might like.
Google Doc Add-ons
If you’re looking for a polished look for your signature, you could try using an add-on. Google Doc has many extensions to choose from that can aid you in creating your virtual signature.
- At the top of your Google Docs page, select “Add-on.”
- Go to “Get add-on” and choose one from the list displayed in the app store from the dropdown menu.
- Follow the prompts. They will allow you to sign in and connect your add-on account to Google Docs.
- A dialogue box will open on the right sidebar of your Google Doc.
- Click on the signature window and insert your signature.
Add-ons are great tools to use if you want your document to be legally binding. Many of them generate a signature certificate that includes the date and time the signing took place.
Insert an Image
Inserting your signature as an image requires a little extra effort – and a scanner. However, it would ensure that what you insert into the document is a signature written in your handwriting. If this option appeals to you, follow these steps:
- Sign a blank piece of paper and scan it into your computer.
- Crop the image so that only your signature is visible.
- Open Google Docs and press “Insert” at the top of the page.
- From the dropdown menu, tap “Image” then “Upload from Computer.”
- Choose the signature file for upload.
Your signature will now appear on the Google Doc.
Cursive Font
Typing your name into Google Docs might not seem like adding your stamp to the page. To customize your name and make it feel more handwritten, you can use a cursive font. Google Docs has hundreds of options, and going through them all might get tedious. Another way to find lettering that works for you is by using an online tool.
Signature maker tool sites like Online Signature allow you to create and generate a digital signature. You can design the signature to suit your style. Once you’ve created something that you’re happy with, download it to your computer, then upload it to your document.
How to Insert a Signature Line in Google Docs on an iPhone
When using your iPhone, adding a signature to Google Docs can be accomplished using the following method:
- In a Google document, go to the top of the page and press “Insert.”
- Select “Image” from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Tap on “From Photos” to open the image with your signature.
- With your signature completed, press “Save and Close.”
You could also decide to use a Google Docs add-on instead.
- Open Google Docs select “Add-on” located at the top of the page.
- Move to “Get add-on” from the dropdown menu.
- Pick an app from the app store and follow the prompts.
- Connect the add-on account to Google Docs.
- A dialogue box will open on the right sidebar of your Google Doc.
- Tap on the signature window and input your signature.
How to Insert a Signature Line in Google Docs on an Android
You might be using Google Docs on your Android device. To insert your signature into the virtual documents, follow these steps:
- Go to the top of the page of the Google Doc and tap “Insert.”
- Select “Image” from the dropdown menu that appears.
- Tap on “From Photos” to open the image with your signature.
- With your signature completed, press “Save and Close.”
You may choose to go with a Google Docs add-on for a more professional look:
- In Google Docs, click on the “Add-on” tab at the top of the page.
- Select “Get add-on” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose your preferred app from the app store and follow the prompts. They will connect your add-on to your Google Doc account.
- A dialogue box will open on the right sidebar of your Google Doc.
- Insert your signature by clicking on the signature window.
Your Google Doc will now bear your signature.
Signing Off
The chances are that you will need to sign a digital document at some point. Printing out the paper, signing it, and scanning it back onto your computer can be pretty cumbersome. Thankfully, there are easier ways to go about things. When using Google Docs, you can affix your signature to the document using the drawing tool or a signature add-on. This tutorial even offers more creative ways of signing your documents. It’s essential to remember that some of these documents carry more weight than others. The method you use to sign them may have legal ramifications.
Do your use Google Docs to craft your documents? What methods did you use to insert a signature line? Let us know in the comments section below.