WD2002: Digital Signatures Button Is Not Available

Article ID: 281862 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q281862
Expand all | Collapse all

SYMPTOMS

When you click Security Options on the Tools menu in the Save As dialog box, the Digital Signatures button is not available (grayed out).

This behavior occurs even when the computer has a valid digital certificate.
Back to the top | Give Feedback

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because you cannot add a digital signature to a document that you have not yet saved. If you click the Security tab in the Save As dialog box, Word automatically makes the Digital Signatures button unavailable.
Back to the top | Give Feedback

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:
  1. In Word, on the File menu, click Save.
  2. In the Save As dialog box, name the document and then click Save.
  3. On the Tools menu, click Options.
  4. Click the Security tab.
  5. On the Security tab, click Digital Signatures (which is now available).
  6. Click Add.
  7. Select the digital certificate that you want, and then click OK.
NOTE: You must obtain or create a digital certificate before you can add a digital signature to a document.
Back to the top | Give Feedback

MORE INFORMATION

A digital signature guarantees that the document was created by the signer of the document, and that the document has not been altered since it was signed.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

REFERENCES

For more information about digital signatures, click Microsoft Word 2002 Help on the Help menu, type about digital signatures in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.
Back to the top | Give Feedback

Properties

Article ID: 281862 - Last Review: July 27, 2006 - Revision: 1.2
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Word 2002 Standard Edition
Keywords: 
kbprb KB281862
Back to the top | Give Feedback

Give Feedback

 
Back to the topBack to the top