How to sign a Word document on a Mac

If you want to know how to sign a Word document on a Mac or create electronic signatures, Apple Macs have come equipped with a variety of tools to help you.

Here are the basic steps for signing a Word document on a Mac:

1. Using Pages or Microsoft Word, create a blank document and save it as a PDF.
2. Open your new PDF using Preview and insert your signature into the document using the Sign tool.
3. Take a screenshot of your signature and drag the crosshairs around it.
4. In Microsoft Word, open the document that requires your electronic signature.
5. In the taskbar, select Images > Picture > Picture from File. In the selection window, select your signature and load it into your Microsoft Word document.
6. Adjust the size of your signature, and drag it to the appropriate location.

Using onboard software tools native to macOS, it’s possible to add signatures and signature lines to Word documents and, PDFs.

In this article, we’ll look at a few key software tools that you can access when signing your documents:

• Preview
• Apple Pages
• Microsoft Word
• CreateMySignature
• How to create secure electronic signatures on your Mac using PandaDoc

So, let’s dive in.

1. Preview

Apple’s support documentation changes depending on your version of macOS. 

Below, you’ll find the steps you need to fill out and sign PDF forms using Preview, but check the support documentation for additional updates.

1. Open Preview on your Mac and select the document or PDF file that you want to sign.

2. Click on the Show Markup Toolbar button (rightmost button on the toolbar before the Search tool) to reveal the Markup Toolbar. Then, click the Sign button.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your signature using the trackpad, your iPhone, or iPad, or by holding up a signed piece of white paper to your camera.

4. Once the signature is captured, select it from the Sign drop-down menu and add it to the document.

You can then resize your signature by dragging on the adjustment handles.

If you use iCloud Drive, your eSignature will be available on your other Mac computers that also have iCloud Drive enabled.

2. Apple Pages

Apple’s Pages doesn’t support any kind of electronic signature functionality, but it’s possible to insert your signature as an image via Pages.

1. Using Pages, create a blank document and save it as a PDF using File > Export To > PDF.
2. Open your new PDF using Preview and insert your existing signature into the document using the Sign tool.
3. Take a screenshot of your signature by pressing [CMD + Shift + 4]. Drag the crosshairs around your signature to capture the image.
4. Open Pages and drag the image of your signature into the document. Resize to fit.
5. It’s also possible to use any PDF document with white space in the margins. 
6. Delete the signature image before you close the document or it will be embedded in the document.

3. Microsoft Word

Though Microsoft Word isn’t native to Apple Macs, it’s commonly used to sign documents.

So, the next step is to show you how to add a signature in Word on a Mac.

Unfortunately, while Word offers many digital signature features to Windows users, these tools aren’t available for Mac users with Office 365.

You’ll be able to insert your signature in Word on a Mac as an image, but you won’t be able to generate secure electronic signatures or digital certificates in the same way you would if you were using a PC.

1. Using Pages or Microsoft Word, create a blank document and save it as a PDF using the Export To or Save As features.
2. Open your new PDF using Preview and insert your existing signature into the document using the Sign tool. 
3. Take a screenshot of your signature by pressing [CMD + Shift + 4]. Drag the crosshairs around your signature to capture the image.
4. In Microsoft Word, open the document that requires your electronic signature.
5. In the taskbar, select Images > Picture > Picture from File. In the selection window, select your signature and load it into your Microsoft Word document.
6. Using the image box, adjust the size of your signature, and drag it to the appropriate location.

But, how do you insert a signature line in Word on a Mac? You can create a signature line by underlining blank spaces, then printing it out and signing it manually if your plan is to print a Word document and mail it. 

4. CreateMySignature

CreateMySignature is a free online tool that does not require a piece of paper or a download from the App Store.

Here’s how it works:

1. Head to CreateMySignature.com.
2. Select Draw signature. This will allow you to create a downloadable image for use when signing PDF files and digital documents inside major software tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word.
3. Draw your signature using your mouse or trackpad. For even greater control, you could use your finger or stylus by accessing the website via a mobile device and taking advantage of the device’s touchscreen.
4. Click Download signature to download your new signature.

If you need to sign a PDF, select Sign your document online, and follow the workflow instructions to upload and sign your document. 

This process is similar to the Draw signature workflow above. From there, you can download your newly signed document!

Create secure electronic signatures on your Mac using PandaDoc

Every tool that we’ve discussed can help you insert signatures into your documents. But, documents signed in this way may lack the security and authentication necessary to stand up to legal scrutiny.

If you need to ensure authenticity when signing documents, use a dedicated platform like PandaDoc to create electronic signatures on your Mac.

Our free plan will allow you to upload PDFs and sign contracts while providing the documentation to prove your documents are legal and valid.

Click here to begin your signing process with PandaDoc!