Electronic signatures now available on Google Drive and Google Docs ✒️

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If you’ve ever had to sign documents received by e-mail, you’ll know that the procedure can be tedious. It’s often necessary to print out the document, sign it, scan it and send it back. Google wants to simplify this process by introducing electronic signatures on Google Docs and Google Drive.

No more need to go to the printer to sign a document ✒️

When it comes to signing a document received by e-mail, the printer is often required. The clever ones often use an image of their signature, which they insert into the document. However, the result is not always aesthetically pleasing, not least because of the color differences between the background of the signature image and the color of the document. But Google has a new feature that makes the whole process easier.

The new eSignature feature has been integrated into Google Docs, making it possible to request and add signatures to official documents directly within Google Docs. Thanks to eSignature, the following steps are simplified:

• Quickly request signatures and monitor the status of pending signatures, while tracking finalized contracts.
• Sign official documents directly from Google Drive, without having to switch applications or tabs.
• Generate a new copy of the contract for each request, so you can use the document as a template and initiate multiple electronic signature requests.

© Google

In addition, over the course of the year, new electronic signature functionalities will be introduced, including :

• Audit trail: each finalized contract will automatically include an audit trail report.
• Multi-signatory signature: the ability to request a signature from multiple users.
• Users outside the messaging system: the ability to request electronic signatures from users outside the messaging system.
• Initiate electronic signatures on PDF files: the ability to initiate the electronic signature process on PDF files stored in Drive.

The function is available in open beta for individual Google Workspace users, while it is accessible after registration for team members or companies.

Source : Google