2007 Microsoft® Office System Plain & Simple

Signing a Document or Workbook with a Visible Signature

In the world of business and commerce, certain documents need to be signed and, often, witnessed. When a document is transmitted electronically, not only does it need to be signed, but the signature must be verifiable. Word and Excel take care of this in two ways. Each provides an easy way to set up an electronic document for a signature by either typing the signature or using a scanned image of the signature inserted as a picture. Additionally, both Word and Excel attach a digital certificate that has been issued to the signer from a reliable source. The digital certificate verifies the identity of the signer. With the digital certificate attached, the document or workbook is considered ...