How to Put a Signature on Microsoft Excel

Microsoft's Office programs have powerful options for creating and editing documents as well as protecting those documents. You can add passwords, configure AutoRecovery options and add signature lines. When an Excel document has a signature added to it, no edits are permitted to the document without invalidating that signature. This allows you and others to know that a document has been viewed and approved as it stands by the signer.

Adding the Signature Line

1. 1.

   Click on the cell that you want to insert the signature.

2. 2.

   Click the "Insert" tab.

3. 3.

   Click the drop-down arrow below the "Signature Line" option within the "Text" group. In the menu that appears, click the "Microsoft Office Signature Line."

4. 4.

   Fill in the necessary information in the Signature Setup box that appears. You can add the suggested signer's name, the suggested signer's title, the suggested signer's email address and any instructions to the signer. You can leave any or all of these blank, but information about the document and the needed signature may be unclear to others viewing the document.

5. 5.

   Select the final options for the signature. You have two options with check boxes beside them that read "Allow the signer to add comments in the Sign dialog box" and "Show sign date in signature line." The former allows the signer to type information, such as a purpose for signing, when adding a signature. The latter simply adds the date of the signature to the signature box. Note that this is the date that the document is signed, not the date that you create the signature box.

6. 6.

   Click "OK" to add the signature box.

Adding the Signature

1. 1.

   Open the Excel document needing a signature if it's not open already. Then open the "Sign" dialog box by either double-clicking the signature line or by right-clicking it and selecting "Sign."

2. 2.

   Add your signature. To do this, type your name beside the "X" to add a text signature. Alternatively, click "Select Image" to browse to an image version of your printed signature. If you're using a tablet or other device with a touch screen, you can physically sign beside the "X."

3. 3.

   Click "Sign" to add the signature.