Key takeaways
- While signing PDFs through Google Docs is possible, it has its drawbacks, like layout distortions and potential legal issues.
- Signeasy is a better alternative for signing PDFs in Chrome.
- Signeasy offers a more secure and legally compliant way to sign PDFs in Chrome.
With its massive user base of 3.45 billion worldwide, Google Chrome is more than just a browsing tool. It’s also a handy way to sign PDFs, whether you’re closing deals, completing forms, or adding your signature to documents. Many Chrome users don’t realize they can digitally sign within Chrome without downloading any apps.
Well, this guide will show you how to sign PDFs right in Chrome – in an easier and more secure way. So, ready to streamline your document workflow? Let’s get started!
How to sign a PDF in Chrome browser?
You can sign a PDF directly within Google Docs, which is one of the traditional ways for signing on the Chrome browser. Here’s how you can do that:Â
- Open your Chrome browser, go to Google Drive, and click New.Â
- Choose “File Upload” to add your PDF to Drive.Â
- Open the uploaded PDF file and click “Open with Google Docs.”
- In the Google Docs Window, click the “Insert” option on the top toolbar.
- From the dropdown, select “Drawing” and then “New” to open the drawing tool.
- Use the drawing tool to create your signature or import a signature image. Once done, click Save and Close.
- After inserting your signature, right-click on it and select “Image options.” Set the image to “Behind text” for easy positioning without disrupting the document layout.
Converting a PDF to a Google Doc and adding a signature might seem simple, but there are some drawbacks. Google Docs is designed primarily for editing text documents, not for working with PDFs.Â
PDFs have a fixed layout, so converting them to docs can result inÂ
- misaligned text,Â
- layout distortions, andÂ
- lost images.Â
And the worst part, signatures created within Google Docs might not be legally binding. Lack of audit trails and certificate-based digital signatures can be problematic. These features ensure the document hasn’t been tampered with and provide a clear signing history.
So, the best way to sign a PDF is using an electronic signature tool like Signeasy. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Signeasy to sign legally vetted eSignatures in Chrome:Â
How to sign a PDF in Chrome with Signeasy
Signeasy makes it super easy to sign PDFs right in Chrome. Whether your PDF is in Drive, Docs, Sheets, or Gmail, you can sign it quickly and hassle-free. Here’s how
- Open the Chrome browser on your laptop or mobile device and head to www.signeasy.com.
- Click “Log In” if you have an account, or “Start Free Trial” to create a free trial account for 14 days.Â
- Once logged in, you’ll be in your Signeasy dashboard.
- On the top-left corner of the dashboard, click the “Start Signing” button, then select the “Sign Document” option from the drop-down menu.Â
- Now upload the PDF you wish to sign.
- Once uploaded, click the Signature button on your left-hand toolbar.Â
- You’ll be prompted to choose between drawing, typing, or uploading your signature image.Â
- Once you’ve created your signature, either drag and drop it or place it in its designated place with a click.Â
- Once you’ve placed your signature, Signeasy lets you add other fields to your PDF, such as Name, Date, and Initials.Â
- After finalizing the document click the “Finish Signing” button. VoilĂ ! You’ve officially signed your PDF document on your Chrome browser!Â
How to sign a PDF in Chrome with Signeasy add-on
- Open Google Drive on your Chrome browser.
- On your drive, open the PDF you want to sign.Â
- Click the “Open with” button then choose “Connect more apps.”Â
- A Google Workspace Marketplace popup will appear on your screen. Within the marketplace’s search bar, type “Signeasy.”Â
- Click the “Install” button to install the Sigeasy extension.Â
- Select a Google account to open your Signeasy account.Â
- Signeasy will request access to your chosen account. Click "Allow" to proceed. The installation and connection will take a few seconds.
- Go back to the PDF document you need to sign within Google Drive. You can sign it on Gmail as well, if you received it there. Right-click on the file, choose "Open with," and then click "Signeasy."
- The PDF will open in a new tab within the Signeasy dashboard.
- Find the "Signature" option within the left-hand annotation bar. Drag and drop the "Signature" field onto the area where you want to place your signature.Â
- A pop-up window will appear to create your signature. You can draw, type, or upload an image of your signature.
- Â Once done, edit the PDF further by adding your name, date, or any other required fields.
- Finally, click the "Finish Signing" button to complete the process.Â
How Signeasy can maximize the signing process
Signeasy’s customers have experienced a 90% boost in productivity, reduced contract turnaround by 80%, and went 100% paperless. You can take Aruba Bank’s story as an example. One of the oldest banks on the Caribbean island sped up their paperwork processing with Signeasy. Now, their customers can sign documents from anywhere without the hassle of in-person singing.Â
“Signeasy has helped us become more successful in reducing our paperwork by up to 60 percent. For the customer, it has cut down their waiting time, making our processes 2x faster as we now email the final signed paperwork directly.”- Nigel Ridderstaat, IT Manager.
Here are some more features of Signeasy that can streamline and maximize your document signing process:Â
- Templates: With signeasy’s standardized templates feature, you can create multiple reusable templates. This will streamline the signing process, as you don’t have to recreate documents for each signature request.Â
- Signing order: Signeasy lets you manage the signature flow by setting a specific order for multiple signers. This automatic sequencing eliminates the need to manually send documents to each person individually.
- Automatic reminders: You can set up automatic reminders to nudge signers to finish signing the document. This will minimize the need for manual follow-ups or back-and-forth communication.Â
- Seamless integrations: With multiple integration options and robust APIs, Signeasy can be easily incorporated into popular CRM tools. Some popular integration options include Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace, and cloud storage solutions.Â
‍Easy and fast signing process: Signeasy is known for its fast, easy, and secure signing process. With 9 million+ app installs and 4.9 ratings on the App Store, our eSigning solution is loved by users who want to sign confidential, encrypted documents in a snap!