Proposify logo Proposify logo
  • Product
    • Product OverviewProposify is the all-in-one platform that makes every deal a closed deal.
    • IntegrationsChoose from hundreds of third-party tools to connect with
    • Document AutomationAccelerate your sales cycle by sending professional, on-brand documents.
    • Interactive QuotesCreate interactive and error-free quotes that will quickly seal the deal.
    • Contract ManagementMark up and sign on any type of contracts, quotes, and agreements.
    • E-Signatures & PaymentsGet all your sales documents legally locked down right within Proposify.
  • Solutions
    • Roles
      • Sales
      • Marketing
      • IT/Operations
    • Industries
      • Agencies and Consulting
      • IT and Software
      • Landscaping and Janitorial
      • Construction and Restoration

    Want help from the experts?

    We offer bespoke training and custom template design to get you up and running faster.

    Learn more
  • Templates
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • LEARN
    • Case Studies
    • Self-Guided Tour
    • Webinars
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
    • SUPPORT
    • Help Center
    • Getting Started
    • Product updates
    • API Docs
    • Refer a Friend

    State of Proposals 2025 Report

    We’ve dug deep into our data and extracted the information that sales and marketing leaders can use to make their proposals better and boost their business.

    Read the Report
  • Log in
  • Book a demo
  • Sign Up Free
  • Product
    • Product OverviewProposify is the all-in-one platform that makes every deal a closed deal.
    • IntegrationsChoose from hundreds of third-party tools to connect with
    • Document AutomationAccelerate your sales cycle by sending professional, on-brand documents.
    • Interactive QuotesCreate interactive and error-free quotes that will quickly seal the deal.
    • Contract ManagementMark up and sign on any type of contracts, quotes, and agreements.
    • E-Signatures & PaymentsGet all your sales documents legally locked down right within Proposify.
  • Solutions
    • Roles
      • Sales
      • Marketing
      • IT/Operations
    • Industries
      • Agencies and Consulting
      • IT and Software
      • Landscaping and Janitorial
      • Construction and Restoration
  • Templates
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    • LEARN
    • Case Studies
    • Self-Guided Tour
    • Webinars
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
    • SUPPORT
    • Help Center
    • Getting Started
    • Product updates
    • API Docs
    • Refer a Friend
  • Log in
  • Book a demo
  • Sign Up Free
Proposify Blog
    • Sales
    • Proposals
    • Business
    • Tools
    • Product
    • Marketing
  • Tools
8 min read

How to Insert a Signature in Word [4 Simple Methods]

June 5, 2023
Last updated on October 1, 2024
Dayana Mayfield Dayana Mayfield
  • Share
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Copy
  1. Method 1: Add a handwritten signature image
  2. Method 2: Draw your signature with Word’s Drawing Canvas
  3. Method 3: Use Scrive’s Microsoft Office Add-in
  4. Method 4: Sign your contract with Proposify’s proposal software

Are you tired of printing out documents just to add your signature?

Well, you're in luck.

Today we're diving into four super easy methods to add a signature to your documents without the hassle of pens, paper, printer ink, scanners, and the like.

We've got some smart tricks up our sleeves, with signing methods that will work for any use case.

Need to sign a document for personal reasons? Methods 1 and 2 are totally free.

Need to collect a legally binding signature on a business contract? Skip to Methods 3 and 4

Before we dive into the Microsoft Word signature tutorials, let’s cover some important basics.

  • How do electronic signatures work? An electronic signature signifies the intention and act of authorizing a document. It can encompass various methods, such as selecting a checkbox, digitally inscribing or typing your name, or digitally inscribing or typing your initials.

  • Are electronic signatures on Microsoft Word documents legally binding? Digitally drawing your signature might not suffice in situations involving arbitration. To guarantee the legal enforceability of your signatures, use electronic signature software that dispatches a distinct link through a signature request email to each signer's inbox. This process enables the recording and authentication of digital signing activities, making the signatures legally binding.

  • What is the difference between an electronic signature and a digital signature? Digital signatures are electronic signatures, not all electronic signatures are digital signatures. Digital signatures provide a higher level of security and assurance due to their cryptographic nature (involves the use of a unique digital certificate that is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), while electronic signatures encompass a broader range of methods used to sign electronic documents. In the vast majority of cases, a legally-binding electronic signature will suffice.

  • What is the best way to get a Word document signed? Methods 3 and 4 are legally binding and offer a better client experience. Clients can open up a signature request email and sign the document online without having to hassle with uploading their signature. While methods 3 and 4 aren’t free, they are recommended for business use cases. Methods 1 and 2 can work for personal reasons, like adding your own signature to new patient paperwork or a school permission slip.

Create and close on-brand, error-free documents with Proposify.

Method 1: Add a handwritten signature image

You can upload an image of your signature to your Microsoft Word document.

Pros and cons of this method

This method isn’t legally binding because there’s no way to know who took and uploaded the photo of your signature.

But this method is easy to do, and it will work in a pinch. If you need to add your own signature to a personal document like a rental application, this could work for you. If you’re collecting a prospective client’s signature on a business agreement, this method could put you at risk should the relationship fall through in some way.

How to add a handwritten signature in Word

Use these steps to upload a photograph of your real signature.

Step 1. Sign a piece of scrap paper and take a picture of it.

Start by using pen and paper to create your signature. Use your phone’s camera to snap a photo of your signature.

Signing a scrap piece of paper

Step 2. Crop and brighten the photo.

Next, edit the photo so you can zoom in on your signature. You might also want to increase the exposure. This will eliminate any imperfections and crinkles in the paper, giving you a nice clean background for your signature.

Crop and brighten photo of signature

Step 3. Select Insert > Picture > This Device.

To add the signature image to your Word document, you’ll need to insert the image.

Inserting image of a signature in Word

Add it where you want it to appear (typically above the signature line), and resize the photo as needed.

Signing document

Method 2: Draw your signature with Word’s Drawing Canvas

Microsoft Word offers a drawing tool that allows you to doodle your signature.

Pros and cons of this method

This is the only method that allows you to use nothing but Microsoft Word. You don’t need to sign-up for some other app or snap a photo. You can manage everything directly in Word.

But there’s a big downside. This method isn’t legally binding. As mentioned above, this can work for simple or personal reasons but should be avoided for business contracts where a lack of signature validation could leave you high and dry.

How to insert a signature with Drawing Canvas

Follow these steps to easily add a signature block directly into Microsoft Word.

Step 1. Place your cursor where you want the signature to appear.

Place your cursor above the signature line. (If you need to add a signature line, just use Shift+Underscore several times to create a straight line large enough for a signature.)

Drawing signatures in Word

Step 2. Select Draw > Drawing Canvas.

You can then choose a black pen with a small width to draw a realistic looking signature.

Microsoft Word's drawing toolbar

Step 3. Draw your signature, and resize it as needed.

Use your mouse or laptop trackpad to draw your signature. Feel free to take up the entire space of the Drawing Canvas, because you can then resize your signature so it looks more true to life.

Drawing and resizing eSignature

Method 3: Use Scrive’s Microsoft Office Add-in

There are a lot of different signature Add-ins (extensions) for Microsoft Office. Scrive is one of the more popular ones.

Create and close on-brand, error-free documents with Proposify.

Pros and cons of this method

On the plus side, Scrive offers a legally-binding e-signature solution. Because it uses email notifications, signer identities are verified.

But rather than allowing you to sign signature lines throughout the document, Scrive adds a single signature block at the end of the document. If you want people to sign or initial on specific lines, this might be a deal breaker.

How to sign a Word document with Scrive

Here’s how to sign a document with Scrive:

Step 1. Install the Scrive Add-in for Office.

To find Add-ins for Microsoft Office, open up a Microsoft Word document. Select Insert. Select Get Add-ins. Type “signature” into the search bar to pull up a list of apps.

Microsoft Office add-ins

(Some of the top options include SigningHub, Scrive, Dropbox Sign, and TrustSigner. If you’re looking for low-priced options, consider Scrive or Dropbox Sign.)

Step 2. Start a free trial of Scrive on their website.

You can install the Scrive Add-in, but to use it, you’ll need to log in. So head over to their website to start your 30-day free trial.

Step 3. Return to the Microsoft Word document and log in to the Scrive Add-in. Select “Start New Process.”

Once you start a new process, it will show up in your Scrive dashboard, where you can track all documents and signatures.

Scrive eSignatures

Step 4. Select “Add Party” to add a signer, and enter their details.

Scrive eSignatures

Then, add the signer’s details. At a minimum, make sure to add the signing party’s first name, last name, and email address. You can also add their mobile phone number and company name. And there are also different roles you can choose, like signer, hidden approver, and visible approver.

Scrive eSignatures empty form

Step 5. Select “Start Signing” to request signatures.

Once you hit this button, it will send the email notifications to you and the other signers. These email notifications work to help validate that the document was signed by the appropriate person.

Scrive eSign

Step 6. Open the notification email and sign the document.

And the last step is to open the email and sign it yourself. You can later use Scrive to remind signers if they haven’t signed yet.

Open document in Scrive
Sign document in scrive

Method 4: Sign your contract with Proposify’s proposal software

Proposify offers proposal software that makes it easy to create, send, and track basic contracts and beautiful, high-converting proposals.

Pros and cons of this method

With this method, you can create a better client experience. Clients can easily review your contract online without having to download anything. They can sign the contract in a few easy clicks and even make the deposit payment to begin the project.

As a downside, this method isn’t free. But if you send a few contracts or proposals each month the cost will be worth it. You get templates, a content library to store contract and proposal snippets, email reminders, and client activity analytics.

Create and close on-brand, error-free documents with Proposify.

How to sign your contract with proposal software

Follow these steps to create and sign documents with professional proposal software.

Step 1. Choose a contract template.

Save time by starting off with one of our contract templates. (You might also want to check out our proposal templates for attractive, branded proposals that sell your services.)

Proposify's template library

Step 2. Update the template to your needs.

Edit the template to make it your own. Add your business details and essential contract language. You can copy and paste the content of your Microsoft Word contract into Proposify.

Updating proposal template for an eSignature

Step 3. Send a request for signature.

Next, you’ll want to add your prospective client’s name and email address. Select the “Share” button to generate an email notification with a request for signature. The email validates their signature, making it legally binding.

Share document for eSignature

Step 4. Track client activity, and follow up accordingly to close more deals.

With Proposify, you can keep track of when clients open and view your proposal. Send reminders accordingly. Ask clients if they have questions or want revisions to the contract.

eSignature activity in Proposify

With relevant, customized follow-ups, you can proactively address issues and close more deals.

Create contracts and proposals that are designed to close with Proposify. Learn more about our proposal software.

Dayana Mayfield
Dayana Mayfield

Dayana Mayfield is a B2B SaaS copywriter who believes in the power of content marketing and a good smoothie. She lives in Northern California. Connect with her on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/dayanamayfield/

Subscribe via Email

Related Posts

How to Create an Electronic Signature & E-sign Your Documents
Proposals 10 min read July 05, 2023
How to Create an Electronic Signature & E-sign Your Documents In theory, e-signatures should be quick and easy.
Read Post
How to Add an E-Signature to a PDF Document [4 Easy Ways]
Proposals 10 min read May 02, 2023
How to Add an E-Signature to a PDF Document [4 Easy Ways] Need to sign a PDF? No problem.
Read Post
Proposify logo
  • Platform
    • Proposal Automation
    • Quoting
    • Contract Management
    • E-Signatures & Forms
    • Integrations
    • API
    • Security
    • Our Professional Services
  • Solutions
    • Sales
    • Marketing
    • IT/Operations
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Templates
    • Webinars
    • Books & Guides
    • Knowledge Base
    • AI Proposal Generator
  • Company
    • About
    • Diversity
    • Careers
    • Customers
©2025 Proposify Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Status
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Basic

Start free trial

Team

Start free trial

Business

Book a demo

Brand customization

Unlimited templates

All accounts allow unlimited templates.

Content library

Create and share templates, sections, and images that can be pulled into documents.

Embed images & videos

Images can be uploaded directly, videos can be embedded from external sources like YouTube, Vidyard, and Wistia

Custom domain

You can map your domain so prospects visit something like proposals.yourdomain.com and don't see "proposify" in the URL

Content authoring

Basic Team Business
Online signatures

All plans allow you to get documents legally e-signed

Interactive quoting

Allow prospects to alter the quantity or optional add-ons

Client input forms

Capture information from prospects by adding form inputs to your documents.

Document Sends

You can create unlimited documents but some plans limit how many you can send per month.

info

5 sends / mo

Unlimited

Unlimited

Collaborator seats

Collaborators are users who only have access to specific proposals, and can edit or approve, but not create or send.

info

1 collab seat included

3 collab seats included

5 collab seats included

Visibility

Basic Team Business
Notifications & metrics

Get notified by email and see when prospects are viewing your document.

PDF export

Generate a PDF from any document that matches the digital version.

Reports

Get a full exportable table of all your documents with filtering.

Integrations & API

Basic Team Business
Payments

Connect your Stripe account and get paid in full or partially when your proposal gets signed.

Integrations

Integrate with popular CRMs, invoicing, and project management tools.

Automations

Set up automations using pre-built connectors or customize using the workflow builder

Single sign-on (SSO)

Our SSO works with identity providers like Salesforce, Okta, and Azure

Salesforce integration

Use our managed package and optionally SSO so reps work right within Salesforce

$9/user/mo

Aspire integration

Import contacts and field data from Aspire into documents in Proposify

$9/user/mo

Process & control

Basic Team Business
Custom fields & variables

Create your own fields you can use internally that get replaced in custom variables within a document.

Auto reminders

You can automatically remind prospects who haven't yet opened your document in daily intervals.

Roles & permissions

Lock down what users can and can't do by role. Pages and individual page elements can be locked.

Approval workflows

Create conditions that if met will trigger an approval from a manager (by deal size and discount size).

Workspaces

Great for multi-unit businesses like franchises. Enables businesses to have completely separate instances that admins can manage.

API Access

Integrate with external systems, or enhance customization, our API provides the tools you need to succeed.

Customer Success

Basic Team Business
Email & chat support

Our team is here to provide their fabulous support Monday - Thursday 8 AM - 8 PM EST and on Fridays 8 AM - 4 PM EST.

Phone & Zoom support

Sometimes the written word isn't enough and our team will hop on a call to show you how to accomplish something in Proposify.

Success manager

Your own dedicated CSM who will onboard you and meet with you periodically to ensure you're getting maximum value from Proposify.

Premium integration support

Our team of experts can perform advanced troubleshooting and even set up zaps and automations to get the job done.

Custom template design

Our in-house designers will design an on-brand, professional proposal template to your satisfaction.

info
Learn more Learn more Learn more

Subscribe via email