Sign Documents Electronically - No Printing Needed!

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To sign documents received via email without printing, various software options are available. Adobe Acrobat and the latest version of Microsoft Word allow users to write directly on documents. Users can also upload a picture of their signature and paste it into documents, although this may not be practical for everyone. For those working with PDFs, having Adobe Acrobat (not just Reader) is necessary for editing capabilities, including inserting a signature image. Graphic tablets can facilitate signing directly on the computer, and they are relatively affordable, making them a viable option for those with older PCs. Additionally, using a handwriting-like font to type a name is another alternative for signing documents. It's important to check if PDFs are form formatted to utilize features like text insertion or checkbox ticking effectively.
mathman
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At times I receive a document through e-mail which requires my signature and return. What I do now is print out the document, sign it, scan the signed copy back into the computer, and return via e-mail.

Is there a program which would allow me to sign the document directly on the computer (without printing) and return it?
 
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mathman said:
At times I receive a document through e-mail which requires my signature and return. What I do now is print out the document, sign it, scan the signed copy back into the computer, and return via e-mail.

Is there a program which would allow me to sign the document directly on the computer (without printing) and return it?
Something like this, connected to your computer via USB? http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/hand-writing-touch-pad-holding-pen-against-computer-38936492.jpg

What format are the documents you are receiving? Word, PDF?
 
I do this all the time. Adobe PDF let's you write on the document and so does the newest version of Word.

EDIT: Shoot, Stevie beat me to it :redface:
 
Maybe you could upload a picture of your signature and paste it into the document?
 
Borg said:
Maybe you could upload a picture of your signature and paste it into the document?
That is usually what I do, as well.

But if you are getting PDF's and don't have Adobe Acrobat (compared to Adobe Reader), would you be able to edit the PDF to enable pasting a pic of your signature in the appropriate area?
 
Borg said:
Maybe you could upload a picture of your signature and paste it into the document?
StevieTNZ said:
That is usually what I do, as well.
That seems really impractical. But perhaps I'm different.
 
ProfuselyQuarky said:
That seems really impractical. But perhaps I'm different.
I only do it because the device I have isn't compatible with my current laptop. Need to get a newer one!

But of course I'm not doing this on official documents. I rarely get forms emailed to me that need filing out and a signature.
 
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StevieTNZ said:
I only do it because the device I have isn't compatible with my current laptop. Need to get a newer one!
What "device" do you speak of? :) I've got a graphics tablet that I use all the time. It makes writing on the computer as easy as writing on paper, too. Do you mean something like that?
 
  • #10
Thanks for the replies, but I am somewhat limited. My computer is an old-fashioned PC so I don't have any stylus or anything like that. The only freely moving instrument I have is the mouse - cursor. Documents are often PDF and I have Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
 
  • #11
As long as you have a way for plugging a USB type A plug into your PC, it shouldn’t matter how old your computer is . . . . and graphic tablets run quite cheap. Since you wouldn’t be using it for rigorous digital design/art, you could find one for as low as $40 to $50.

Another idea: Download a font that looks similar to your handwriting and just type your name in that font (?)
 
  • #12
mathman said:
Documents are often PDF and I have Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.

Are the PDF's form formatted, where Adobe Reader allows you to insert text (or tick a box) at various input points?
 
  • #13
StevieTNZ said:
Are the PDF's form formatted, where Adobe Reader allows you to insert text (or tick a box) at various input points?
I don't know. What do I look for?
 
  • #14
mathman said:
I don't know. What do I look for?
Ah, I see. You're only after requiring the PDF to be signed, and the rest intact. Never mind.
 

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