How to add a signature in Google Docs

For the last five years, Google Docs has become one of the most popular tools for editing documents. People even say that they don’t need any other software because of Google powered products. Today, Google Docs is used by individuals and businesses alike for working with documents.

The online software truly gives users a lot, from writing simple texts to building graphics and managing contract negotiation. But most people don’t know that they can add a signature directly in Google Docs without leaving the page.

You can quickly create a signature in Google Docs with the Drawing tool. There are two ways you can add your eSignature. Read the instructions below and choose the method that works best for you.

To add a signature in Google Docs, do the following actions:

1. Open the document and place your cursor where you want to eSign.
2. On the top toolbar, find Insert and click on it.
3. Select Drawing > New.
4. Open the Line dropdown list by clicking on it. Then select Scribble.
5. Create the eSignature you want to place in Google Docs.
6. Hit the Save and Close button.

After that a legally-binding eSignature will be added to your document.

If you want to create a handwritten signature in Google Docs, use the Text Box function instead of Scribble in the Drawing menu:

1. Long click on your document and create the box you’d like to add your signature to.
2. Type your name or initials.
3. Highlight the text and change the font to Caveat, Pacifico or Amatic SC.
4. Click Save and Use to add it to your document.

And just like that you have an eSigned Google Doc that looks handwritten.

Google Docs is an indisputably convenient service, and the opportunity to eSign documents makes it even more useful. Before, you had to print a contract, physically sign it, then scan and send it to your recipient. Now you can do it all online and print out an executed copy. But is it worth it?

• Security drawbackGoogle cares about the security of your files and no third-party can access them without your approval. But sometimes you or the other signer can forget to change the privacy settings or unintentionally change them. For example, another signer can’t access an account in Google and asks you to share the document via a public link. That means that anyone with the link can view and edit the document. Contracts and other materials often include sensitive data. While working in Google Docs it is essential that you always stay attentive to each detail throughout the process to avoid security issues.

  In addition, signing documents in Google Docs is a controversial matter. There are two critical questions being discussed:

  • Is a real person signing the document?
  • Does a person signing understand and confirm that the eSignature is valid and legally binding?

  If something in your deal goes wrong and a lawsuit is filed, the answers to the questions above will be critically important for you. In the absence of answers it is clear that before you sign or have someone eSign a document, everyone has to understand the importance of adding their signature.

  By no means does that mean you should stop using Google Docs’s eSignature functions. All it means is that when using Google Docs to eSign documents, be attentive. Below are some tips to help you stay secure when working with signatures in Google Docs:

  • Never share documents via public link.
  • Send the contract directly to your recipient’s Gmail account.
  • Avoid using Google Docs to sign documents with those who don’t have Gmail accounts.
  • Ask your recipients whether they agree to recognize this form of signing as valid and legally binding.

  Keeping to these practices will protect you from issues in the future such as recipients saying that they didn’t know the eSignature was legally binding.

• Convenience drawbackAfter explaining security drawbacks, explaining convenience drawbacks may seem insignificant. But if you do a lot of work with documents that need to be signed, being comfortable is really important. Which is why you need to understand all pros and cons of utilizing the platform.

  The whole process of creating a signature in Google Docs is simple and anyone can do it from almost any computer in the world. However, Google has not yet developed the ability to eSign from the Google Docs app. If you need to sign documents while on the go, consider finding a specialized software. In addition to not being able to sign on mobile, Google Docs doesn’t save your previously created eSignatures. That’s great for security, but isn’t so cool for efficiency.

Of course. You can find lots of platforms that offer you tools for managing eSignatures. But you need to understand that each has its own pros and cons. Most of them can’t guarantee security for your documents nor convenience for you or your team. That’s why you should choose wisely while looking for an eSignature solution. Compare lists of features, opportunities, pricing, etc. Read reviews and comments in the AppStore or PlayMarket and be weary of artificial looking feedback.

If you don’t have time to pay for, download, install or sign up for a bunch of different platforms, we have you covered. We’ve done our research and offer airSlate SignNow as the most robust eSignature solution.

The most important factor to consider is — will it integrate into your current workflow? Think about everything you usually have to sign, from contracts to tax forms. airSlate SignNow is not just an eSignature solution. Get access to fillable fields, signing orders, teams and much more. Companies all across the US integrate airSlate SignNow as a way to increase collaboration.

Does it offer complete digital security? airSlate SignNow is an industry leader in data security and is in compliance with US and EU eSignature laws. Security is taken very seriously at airSlate SignNow and is always adding innovations to servers, like the latest encryption features for your connection to make sure that your information is safe. And in addition to top-of-the-line encryption, airSlate SignNow offers additional security measures to ensure your data isn’t stolen. For example, if you use your account on someone else’s phone or computer you’ll automatically be signed out after inactivity. Only those who are added as recipients can see the documents, and only those with assigned roles can sign those documents.

The biggest question always asked when it comes to eSignatures is — are its eSignatures legally binding? Every airSlate SignNow user (paid or not) has to agree to the validity of the service and signing process before they are allowed to execute a document. Why? Simple, because if something goes wrong you will always be able to take this initial warning message to court and argue that every signature added was only added after the signee recognized the legitimacy of the process.

Is it convenient to use? Aside from being highly functional, airSlate SignNow is very straightforward. Utilize it and create an electronic signature on a variety of file types; Word docs, PDFs, images, all without any extra work or extensions.

How much can you do with it? Compared to other services, airSlate SignNow has a wider range of opportunities. You can add calculated fields, checkboxes, dropdowns, radio button groups just by simply dragging and dropping them. Not only do you get a lot of great functions, you optimize time. When you can create a powerful document right from airSlate SignNow, you create time for more important tasks.

As technology continues to develop, and solutions flood the market, users like you need to know the advantages of each product clearly. Questions like; Is it a cross-platform solution? airSlate SignNow is a mobile-first eSignature solution that works on all devices and OSs. You can access it from any browser and mobile applications for iOS and Android. Even work on your eSignature workflows while on the go.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If you have already signed up for a free trial, go ahead and test it out!

• On mobileAdd a signature in Google Docs in a few simple clicks by completing the following actions:
  1. On the main screen, select the Documents menu and tap Create.
  2. Click Load from Cloud and pick Google Drive.
  3. Find the document you want in your storage, select it and click the download button at the bottom of the screen.
  4. When your file opens, tap anywhere on the screen to open a pop-up window, where you should choose Insert Signature.
  5. Select Add Signature and draw it with your finger and click Done.
  6. Select your eSignature from the list and place it on your Google Doc.
  7. Finish by selecting Done in the top right-hand corner, select Save and name your document.

  When you try to upload a sample from Google Drive for the first time, it will request access, and you need to confirm it. Don’t be afraid of this process; this is a standard procedure with new services.

• On desktop or laptopsignNow’s web version can’t directly import from Google Drive, but you can utilize the extension in Chrome. Using it, you will be able to add signatures to more than just Google Docs but almost any PDF you find on the internet:
  1. Find the airSlate SignNow extension in the Chrome Web Store and click Add to Chrome.
  2. Give it access to your documents.
  3. Click on any link with a PDF document in it and select airSlate SignNow.
  4. When the file opens, use the airSlate SignNow editor in a new Tab, then finish the process.

  If you don’t have Chrome or using the extension isn’t convenient for you, you can upload the document from your internal storage and then automatically export it to Google Drive. We suggest that you enable automatic exporting.

  1. Open the main page of your airSlate SignNow account.
  2. In the top right-hand corner, find the icon and click on it.
  3. Select Cloud storage. Make sure that you have connected to Google Drive. If no, connect accounts.
  4. Check the box labeled Enable Automatic Export on Sign.

  After you do this, all your signed documents will automatically upload to your Drive and turn into Google Docs. Now, all of this is, is only necessary if you want to build your documents in Google Docs. But it is not necessary. With airSlate SignNow get access to an internal editor that allows you to build PDF templates, edit, add fillable fields, and sign them right from your airSlate SignNow account.