You can create a signature line by underlining blank spaces. The best way to do this depends on whether you want to print the document or distribute it online.
You can add a signature line to a document, add a graphic of your handwritten signature, or save a signature block as an AutoText building block.
For information on adding a digital signature, see Add or remove a digital signature in Office files.
Note
The content and steps in this article apply to Word for Microsoft 365 and other desktop versions of Word for Windows.
Add a signature line for a printed document
Place the cursor where you want to add the signature line.
Press Ctrl+U to turn on underline formatting.
Press Tab one or more times to create the signature line.
Press Ctrl+U again to turn off underline formatting.
Add a signature line for an online document
To create an underline in an online document or form, insert a table cell with the bottom border turned on. This method ensures that when someone types on the line, the line stays in place.
You can create a line on its own, or you can create a line that has introductory text, such as Signature or Date.
Create a line
Click where you want to insert a blank underline.
On the Insert tab, select Table.
Click the upper-left box to insert a 1x1 table.
Drag the right edge of the table to the length you want.
Select the table.
On the Table Design tab, set all borders to None, and then apply only the Bottom Border.
Note
If you prefer to view the table without the light gray gridlines that do not print, on the Layout tab, in the Table group, click Show Gridlines.
Create a line with introductory text
Click where you want to insert a blank underline.
On the Insert tab, select Table.
Click the upper-left box to insert a 1x2 table.
Drag the right edge of the table to the length you want.
Select the table.
On the Table Design tab, set all borders to None, and then apply a Bottom Border to the cell that will contain the signature line.
Type the label text, such as Signature or Date, in the other cell.
Add a graphic of your handwritten signature
First, you need to create an image of your signature. You can write it on a piece of paper, scan the page, and then crop the image file that your scanner creates Save the image in one of the common image file formats, such as .bmp, .gif, .jpg, or .png.
Important
Because of the numerous scanners, digital cameras, and other devices available to consumers, we cannot offer instructions on using these devices. For information, see the manufacturer’s manual or Web site.
After you have your image file, you can add it to a document, by clicking the Insert tab, clicking Picture, and then inserting the image of your signature. However, you might want to add other information, such as your typed name, below the image. To do that, you can create a reusable AutoText entry that contains both the image of your signature and the typed information. For more information, see Use Quick Parts and AutoText in Word.
Save a signature block as AutoText
You can save a signature block as an AutoText entry so that it’s readily available in the AutoText building block gallery.
- In Word, type the signature block that you want to save. Or, insert the image of your signature and type the additional information that you want to include.
- Select the signature block.
- On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Quick Parts, and then click Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery.
- In the Create New Building Block dialog box, type a name for your signature block.
- In the Gallery list, click AutoText.
- Click OK.
To insert your signature block, click the Insert tab, click Quick Parts, click AutoText, and then click your signature block.