How-To

How to Insert a Signature in Google Docs

By Adam Davidson

Published December 4, 2022

If you need to sign a document there are plenty of ways to do so. Learn how to insert a signature in Google Docs here.

Word processing apps have always fallen down in one key area: adding your signature. Signing a paper document is a second’s work, but adding your signature to an electronic document is a little more complicated.

If you’re working in Google Docs, the good news is that there are a number of ways to add your John Hancock to your document. If you’ve never really liked your signature, you can even generate one from the text of your name.

Here’s how to insert a signature in Google Docs.

How to Insert a Signature in Google Docs Using the Drawing Tool

Google Docs includes a drawing tool that allows you to draw freehand using your mouse, trackpad, or another device. You can use this to draw a signature that you can insert into your documents.

How to Create Your Signature in Google Docs

You can use the drawing tool to create your signature. This is easier to do on a trackpad or with a touchscreen computer, but it is possible with a mouse.

To insert a signature in Google Docs using the Drawing tool:

1. Open the document where you want to insert a signature.
2. Click the Insert menu.
   
3. Hover over Drawing and click +New.
   
4. Click the Line tool.
   
5. Select Scribble.
   
6. Draw your signature using the pointer.
   
7. If you make a mistake, click the Undo arrow to undo the last section of your drawing.
   
8. If you want to change the thickness of the lines, press Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac to select your entire signature.
9. Click on the Line Weight icon.
   
10. Select the line weight you want to use.
    
11. Once you’re happy with your signature, click Save and Close.
    

How to Edit Your Signature in Google Docs

Once you save your signature, it will appear in your document. You may want to make some changes to it to get it looking exactly how you want it.

To edit your signature in Google Docs:

1. Click on your signature to select it.
2. To change the text wrapping for your signature, select one of the options in the toolbar.
   
3. To resize your signature, click and hold onto one of the anchor points around the border of your signature.
   
4. Drag the anchor point to increase or decrease the size of your signature.
5. Click and hold onto the signature and drag it to reposition it.
6. If you would prefer finer control, click the Three Dots icon in the toolbar to open the Image Options.
   
7. In this menu, you can set the height and width of your signature, choose your text wrapping options, and edit the margins around your signature. You can also choose to fix your signature to a specific position on the page.
   
8. If you decide that you need to make changes to your signature, double-click it to re-open the Drawing tool.
9. Once you’re happy with your signature, click anywhere outside of the box to return to editing the document as normal.
   
10. If you want to use your signature in other documents, you can copy and paste it.

How to Insert a Signature in Google Docs Using an Image

If you find the Drawing tool in Google Docs a little awkward, you can create your signature outside of Google Docs and insert the image into your document. There are a number of free websites that allow you to create a signature and save it as an image.

To insert a signature in Google Docs from an image:

1. In your browser, open a signature drawing website, such as Signwell.
2. Choose whether to draw your signature or create one by typing your name.
   
3. If you opted to draw, use your mouse or trackpad to draw your signature.
   
4. If you’re not happy with it, click Clear and start again.
   
5. When you have a signature you like, click Save.
   
6. Ensure Transparent Background is turned on and click Download.
   
7. An image of your signature will be saved.
8. If you opted to type your signature, type your name as you want it to appear in your signature and click Continue.
   
9. Choose from one of the signature options.
   
10. Use the tools if you want to make any changes to your signature then click Save.
    
11. Ensure Transparent Background is turned on and click Download.
    
12. Open the Google document where you want to insert your signature and place the cursor where you want it to appear.
13. Click the Insert menu.
    
14. Hover over Image and select Upload From Computer.
    
15. Select the signature image that you saved.
16. Your signature will be inserted into your document.
    
17. You can edit using the methods in the section above.

How to Insert a Signature in Google Docs Using an Add-On

There are also some Google Docs add-ons that can help you insert a signature into your document. Many of these are paid, but most will allow you to insert a limited number of signatures for free. We’ll take a look at one of the options you can use.

To insert a signature in Google Docs using the Simple Signature add-on:

1. Open your Google document.
2. Click the Extensions menu.
   
3. Hover over Add-Ons and select Get Add-Ons.
   
4. Type Simple Signature into the search box.
   
5. Click Simple Signature in the results.
6. Click the Install button and then Continue to start the installation.
   
7. Grant the app the appropriate permissions.
8. Once installed, click on the Extensions menu again.
   
9. Hover over Simple Signature for Google Docs and click Insert Signature.
   
10. In the sidebar, click Type to create a signature from text, or Draw to draw your signature.
    
11. Draw your signature in the box, or select a signature based on your text.
12. Once you’ve created your signature, click Insert Signature.
    
    
13. Your signature will be added to your document.
    
14. If you want to edit it, click on the signature, and follow the steps in the section above about how to edit your signature.

Create Better Documents with Google Docs

Learning how to insert a signature in Google Docs allows you to sign your documents without having to resort to fudges such as printing, signing, and scanning your document. There are other ways to make your Google documents even better.

It’s good to know how to get rid of page breaks in Google Docs if your text isn’t appearing where you want it to. If you’re haunted by mysterious blank spaces, you’ll want to know how to delete a page in Google Docs, too. You can even layer images in Google Docs to create some stunning effects.