In our world of remote offices and geographically-diverse teams, an eternal question rises above the rest: how do I sign a Word document without printing it first?

Signing a Word document digitally is an important skill to learn; signatures confirm the authenticity of your identity and make sealing the deal convenient for all parties involved. Signing Word documents is fairly easy, even without a tablet or stylus.

In this article, we're going to show you how to sign a Word document electronically. You'll first create an electronic signature and then add it to a Microsoft Word document.

1. How Do I Write My Signature on a Word Document?

If you prefer putting a personalized touch on your Word documents, opt for a handwritten signature. In this example, we're going to learn how to sign a Word document electronically with a scanned version of your signature.

To sign a document in Word, you'll first need to sign a white piece of paper. Then, scan the image and import it into your computer. Once the picture appears on your screen, you can adjust it or crop it with an image editor.

When you're satisfied, save the image as a JPG, GIF, or PNG. Then, go to the Insert menu at the top of Microsoft Word and click Pictures.

Can you sign a word document electronically, without a scanner?

Choose your scanned signature from your files and click Insert; the electronic signature appears in the Word document. Resize it as needed, then Save the document.

2. How to Sign in Word With an Extended Electronic Signature

We've all received email with an entire business card serving as the sender's “signature”. Can you sign a Word document electronically with more information included in this style?

Signing in Microsoft Word hardly needs to stop at your handwritten signature, plain and simple. You can also add your job title, contact details, or similar information with a built-in Word feature, as well.

Using the method described above, insert your scanned signature into the document. Type the desired text underneath it.

Use your mouse to select the added text and the signature. Then, click the Insert menu at the top of Microsoft Word and pick Quick Parts from the Text part of the panel.

From there, choose Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery. This opens a Quick Part Gallery dialogue box that says Create New Building Block on top.

Signing in Microsoft Word can include more than just your handwritten signature.

Enter the appropriate name in the first box. Choose AutoText from the Gallery dropdown box below it. Then, click OK. You can leave the other boxes as they appear.

We learned how to sign a document in Word the same way that we would sign an email signature.

How do I write my signature on a Word document? To use your newly-enhanced signature in Word, click your desired insertion point in the document, then go to the Insert menu. Choose Quick Parts, then AutoText. Clicking the AutoText option generates a menu of all of your custom electronic signature elements. Choose the one that you want by clicking on its name.

3. How to Sign on Microsoft Word With the HelloSign Application

HelloSign is an electronic signature application that makes signing a Word document easy. In addition to Word compatibility, it works with other kinds of Microsoft files, as well as PDFs.

How do I write my signature on a Word document with HelloSign? Is HelloSign free to use? There are pricing tiers, but there is also a free option available, too.

Can you sign a Word document electronically with HelloSign for free? The good news is that you absolutely can.

The complimentary version gives access to one document signer. It also lets you put a free electronic signature in Word on three documents per month. Google Drive integration and status notifications are other perks included with the free package.

Related: Create a Signature With This Free Online Signature-Maker

4. How to Sign a Word Document With Google Docs Add-Ons

Another quick way to sign a Word document is to upload the document to Google. When you do so, you can use Google Docs to insert a signature into the file.

HelloSign can also work directly with Google Docs via an add-on for the program. To use the add-on, just download it from the add-ons store within Google Docs.

It's totally possible to sign a Word document with Google Docs add-ons.

After activating it, you can draw a new signature or choose a saved version. Rest assured, all documents signed on Google Docs also show up in the website version of HelloSign.

If you want to try a different digital signature add-on, there are plenty of others to choose from. To find them, just click the Add-ons tab in a Google Document and select Get add-ons.

Figuring out how to sign Word document electronically with Google Docs add-ons takes very little time.

Type the word “signature” or a related word in the search box of the add-ons store and hit Enter. Your options will be displayed.

5. How to Sign a Document in Word by Converting Your Word File to a PDF

You may be wondering: how do I add a signature to a Word document by converting it? You can unlock even more options for signing Word documents by saving your Word document as a PDF.

To do so, open your Word document, go to File > Save As. Click the Save as Type drop-down menu and select PDF. This process will be the same on either a Windows or on a Mac.

Converting your document to a PDF makes signing in Microsoft Word so much easier.

Now, you're all set to sign a Word document electronically using the methods discussed below.

How to Sign Something in Word With DocHub

DocHub is an online signature service that works with PDF documents. If you're interested in learning how to sign a Word doc electronically but need the signatures to carry some weight, DocHub supports legally binding electronic signatures.

Can you sign a Word document electronically, without converting it? It's possible, but not always the best way to go.

DocHub works on the Android and iOS platforms, but does not offer dedicated apps. To use the app on a mobile device, go to the DocHub website using the Safari or Chrome browser on your smartphone or tablet. Then, log into your account. From there, look for the Sign menu and tap it. Choose your digital signature from the list; touch any part of the document to insert it.

You can also make new signatures on a touchscreen device. Simply use your finger to draw the signature on the screen. It becomes part of the Sign menu, so you can easily insert it into a new document.

How Do I Sign a Word Document With Preview on a Mac?

If you're a Mac user, Preview is an integrated application that allows you to sign documents electronically. Save your document as a PDF and open it in Preview.

Click the Toolbox icon, then the Signature icon. Next, click Create Signature, then Click Here to Begin. Click the Trackpad tab at the top of the box. You can also use the Camera tab for a picture of a signature, but that's a less precise option.

With the Trackpad tab selected, use your finger to draw the signature on your trackpad. Then, click the Done button. Clicking on the signature inserts it into the document; you can resize or move it, too. Can you sign a document in Word any quicker? We think not, and we have only Apple to thank for that.

Related: The Best Apps for Signing Documents Online

Add a Signature to a Word Document Professionally

When meeting up in person just isn't feasible, signing a Word document digitally simply must suffice. Thankfully, signing in Microsoft Word has never been easier.

You now have several options for adding an electronic signature to a Microsoft Word document. Although some require saving it as a PDF first, all are easy to manage when there's business to attend to.