How to DocuSign a Word Document: Step-By-Step Guide

Signing documents digitally has become a necessity in our fast-paced business world. With Docusign, you can easily sign and send Word documents without the hassle of printing, scanning, or mailing. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of Docusigning a Word document, including tips on preparing your document, placing signature fields, and monitoring the signing process. Plus, discover how AI tools like Bardeen can automate repetitive tasks and save you even more time. By mastering these skills, you'll be able to close deals faster and more efficiently than ever before. Let's get started!

Preparing Your Word Document for DocuSign

Before uploading your Word document to DocuSign, it's crucial to ensure it's properly formatted for a seamless signing experience. Taking a few minutes to set up your document correctly can save time and frustration for both you and your signers.

1. Optimize Page Layout and Margins

Start by reviewing your document's page layout and margins. Make sure the content fits well within the page and leaves enough space for form fields and signatures. Consider using standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman in 12-point size for easy readability.

For example, if you're preparing a contract, adjust the margins to provide ample room for the signature fields without crowding the text. This will make it easier for signers to navigate and complete the document.

2. Create Designated Form Fields

Next, create form fields in your Word document where signers will input information, such as signatures, initials, and dates. To do this, use Word's built-in tools to insert text boxes or tables at the appropriate locations.

Clearly label each form field to indicate what information is required. For instance, add "Signature," "Initials," or "Date" next to the respective fields. This will guide signers through the document and minimize confusion.

3. Enhance Document Readability

To make your document easy to read and navigate, use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up long passages of text. This will help signers quickly scan and understand the content. Integrate Google Docs to collaborate in real-time before finalizing your document.

Additionally, consider adding page numbers and a table of contents for longer documents. This will allow signers to easily reference specific sections and ensure they haven't missed any important information.

By following these tips, you'll create a Word document that is well-prepared for DocuSign, ensuring a smooth and efficient signing process. Integrate Dropbox to store and share your documents securely.

In the next section, we'll guide you through uploading and tagging your Word document in DocuSign, so you can start collecting signatures with ease.

Uploading and Tagging the Word Document in DocuSign

Once your Word document is prepared for signing, it's time to upload it to DocuSign and add the necessary tags. This process involves creating a new envelope, placing signature and information fields, and assigning recipients. By following these steps, you'll be able to efficiently send your document for signing.

1. Create a New DocuSign Envelope

To begin, log in to your DocuSign account and click "New" to create a new envelope. Select "Upload" and choose your prepared Word document from your computer. DocuSign will convert the file into a signable format while preserving its layout and formatting.

For example, if you're sending a contract for multiple parties to sign, you'll upload the Word document you previously prepared with designated spaces for each signer's fields.

2. Place DocuSign Tags in the Document

Next, add the necessary DocuSign tags to your document. These tags indicate where signers should provide information or signatures. Common tags include Signature, Initial, Date Signed, and Text fields for data like names and addresses.

To place a tag, drag and drop it from the DocuSign toolbar onto the appropriate location in your document. Resize and reposition the tag as needed to fit the allotted space. Repeat this process for each required field.

3. Assign Recipients and Set Signing Order

If your document requires multiple signers, you'll need to assign each recipient and set the signing order. DocuSign allows you to specify the sequence in which signers receive and complete the document.

To assign recipients, click "Add Recipient" and enter their email address and name. Then, drag and drop the signature and other tags onto the document for each signer. Set the signing order by numbering the recipients in the desired sequence.

4. Utilize Templates for Recurring Documents

If you frequently send similar documents for signing, consider creating a template. Templates save time by storing the document layout, tags, and recipient roles for future use.

To create a template, prepare your Word document with the necessary tags and fields, then upload it to DocuSign. Instead of sending it right away, click "Save as Template." Next time you need to send a similar document, simply select the template and add the recipient details.

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Mastering the uploading and tagging process in DocuSign will help you efficiently prepare and send documents for signing, saving you time and effort in the long run.

In the next section, we'll explore how to send the DocuSign envelope and monitor its progress until all signatures are collected.

Sending the DocuSign Envelope and Monitoring Progress

After uploading your Word document and adding the necessary tags, you're ready to send the DocuSign envelope to your recipients. Before hitting send, it's essential to review your settings, preview the document, and ensure everything is in order. Once sent, you can easily monitor the signing progress using the DocuSign dashboard.

1. Configure Envelope Settings Before Sending

Prior to sending your DocuSign envelope, take a moment to review important settings like reminders and expiration dates. Reminders can be set to automatically notify signers who haven't completed the document after a specified time, while expiration dates determine when the envelope is no longer available for signing.

For example, if you're sending a time-sensitive contract, you may want to set a reminder for 2 days and an expiration date of 1 week to ensure timely completion. These settings can be adjusted based on your specific needs and the urgency of the document.

2. Preview and Test the Document

Before sending the envelope to your recipients, it's crucial to preview and test the document. DocuSign allows you to view the document as your signers will see it, ensuring that all tags are correctly placed and the overall layout is as intended.

Additionally, you can send a test envelope to yourself or a colleague to experience the signing process firsthand. This step helps identify any potential issues or confusion before your actual recipients receive the document, allowing you to make necessary adjustments and provide a smooth signing experience.

3. Send the Envelope for Signature

Once you've reviewed your settings and previewed the document, it's time to send the envelope to your recipients. Double-check that you've entered the correct email addresses and that the signing order (if applicable) is set up properly.

When you're ready, click the "Send" button to distribute the envelope. DocuSign will notify your recipients via email, providing them with a secure link to access and sign the document. The signing process is intuitive and user-friendly, guiding signers through each step.

4. Track Signing Status and Send Reminders

After sending the envelope, you can easily monitor its progress using the DocuSign dashboard. The dashboard provides a clear overview of all your sent envelopes, displaying their current status (e.g., "Sent," "Viewed," "Completed").

If a signer is taking longer than expected to complete the document, you can send a reminder directly from the dashboard. Simply locate the envelope, click the "Resend" button, and select "Reminder." This gentle nudge can help keep the signing process moving forward.

By configuring settings, previewing the document, and leveraging the DocuSign dashboard, you can efficiently send and manage your Word documents for signature.

In the next section, we'll discuss what happens after all parties have signed and how to access the fully executed document.

Accessing the Signed Document and Next Steps

Once all parties have completed signing your DocuSign Word document, you'll receive a notification that the document is fully executed. At this point, you can access the signed document, download it for your records, and share it with other stakeholders. DocuSign also provides features to help you manage and organize your completed documents effectively.

1. Receive Notification of Completed Document

When all signers have finished signing your Word document, DocuSign will send you an email notification informing you that the document is fully executed. This email will include a link to access the completed document directly from your DocuSign account.

For example, if you sent a contract for signature and all parties have signed, you'll receive an email with a subject line like "Your document 'Contract_Agreement.docx' is complete." This notification serves as your cue to access and download the signed document.

2. Download the Signed Word Document

To obtain a copy of the signed Word document, log into your DocuSign account and navigate to the "Manage" tab. Locate the completed document in your list of envelopes and click on it to open the details page.

From there, you can download the signed Word document by clicking the "Download" button. DocuSign will generate a copy of the document with all signatures, initials, and other information in place.

3. Obtain the Audit Trail

In addition to the signed document, DocuSign also provides an audit trail that records all actions taken on the envelope, including when it was sent, viewed, and signed by each party. This audit trail serves as a legal record and can be useful in case of disputes or audits.

To download the audit trail, go to the completed document's details page in your DocuSign account and click on the "Certificate of Completion" link. This will generate a PDF file containing the audit trail, which you can save along with the signed Word document.

4. Share with Other Stakeholders

After downloading the signed Word document and audit trail, you may need to share these files with other stakeholders, such as your boss, client, or legal department. DocuSign makes it easy to distribute copies of the completed document.

From the document's details page, click the "Share" button and enter the email addresses of the individuals you want to share the document with. You can also include a personalized message and set permissions to control whether recipients can download or just view the document.

5. Organize Completed Documents

As you complete more DocuSign transactions, it's essential to keep your signed documents organized for easy reference. DocuSign offers folders and tagging features to help you manage your completed documents efficiently.

Create folders based on categories like client name, project, or date, and move your completed documents into the appropriate folders. You can also apply tags to documents for quick searching and filtering. For example, tag all documents related to a specific client with their company name for easy retrieval later.

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By leveraging DocuSign's features for accessing, downloading, sharing, and organizing your signed Word documents, you can streamline your record-keeping and ensure that important documents are always at your fingertips.

Now that you've made it through this comprehensive guide, you're well on your way to becoming a DocuSign pro! Give yourself a pat on the back for mastering the art of DocuSigning Word documents - your future self will thank you for saving countless hours and headaches.

Conclusions

Knowing how to DocuSign a Word document is crucial for efficiently managing contracts and agreements in the digital age.

In this guide, you discovered:

• Preparing your Word document with proper formatting, form fields, and easy navigation for signers
• Uploading the document to DocuSign, applying tags, assigning recipients, and using templates
• Sending the envelope, monitoring progress, and using the dashboard to manage the signing process
• Accessing the signed document, downloading the audit trail, sharing with stakeholders, and organizing completed files

By mastering DocuSigning Word documents, you'll save time, reduce errors, and keep your contracts moving forward. Don't let manual signing processes slow you down - embrace the power of automation today!