How to add signature to a PDF document?

Boobesh Ramalingam
Boobesh Ramalingam
Co-founder of Guesswork.co.

PDF documents are widely used for contracts, forms, agreements, and other official records. You can add esignature to a PDF, eliminating the need to print, sign, and scan. PDF signatures streamline workflows, enhance convenience, and improve security, ensuring documents remain authentic while helping you stay paperless.

Collecting signatures on PDFs is easier than ever thanks to a variety of free and paid tools. Adobe Acrobat Reader, for example, allows users to add and collect signatures on PDF documents quickly. The software lets you type, draw, or upload a signature, and place it anywhere in the document. For teams using Google Workspace, the built-in eSignature feature enables users to request and gather signatures directly within Docs, or Drive, simplifying signature approval workflows and saving time.

Google Workspace eSignature

You can easily create documents for signatures and send signature requests in Google Docs and Google Drive. To collect signatures in PDF, upload your PDF document to your Google Drive > click on the uploaded PDF document to select it > click on the ⋮ More icon > click Share > click Request eSignature.




You can drag one or more fields such as Signature, Initials, Name, Date Signed, Text field to add to your document. If you have multiple signers, under “Insert fields for”, select the specific signer for whom you want to add an eSignature field. You can also use the Manage Signers option to update the list of available signers. Currently, you can add up to 10 signers to a PDF document and assign fields to each.




You can assign signers to each field in the document. To manage a field, click on it to select it and use the Assigned to dropdown to change the signer. Each signer is assigned a unique color, making it easy to identify the fields assigned to them.




Once you have added the relevant fields to the document, you can send it for signatures by clicking o the Request signature option on the right. Enter a title for the PDF file, add the email address for each signer, include a message to be sent with the eSignature request, and then click Send Request.




When you send the signature request, a PDF is generated and shared with the signers, who can only update the fields assigned to them and sign the document. Once the document is signed, a PDF copy of the completed file is saved in the same folder as your original document.


✅ Pros

  • Secure and legally compliant (ESIGN Act, eIDAS)

  • User-friendly and intuitive interface

  • Seamless integration with Google Drive

  • Supports multiple signers


❌ Cons

  • Does not support sequential signature workflows (cannot enforce signing order)

  • Cannot specify the Google Drive folder to save signed documents

  • Limited reporting and analytics

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