A Detailed Guide to Creating a Digital Signature in Adobe

December 04, 2024Gerald Christian

Digital signatures deliver a secure and convenient way to authenticate electronic documents. If you often need to sign various documents, you may want to create your own digital signature. Adobe Acrobat is a powerful PDF viewing, editing, creation, and management tool with a related e-signing function. This article tells you how to create a digital signature in Adobe step by step.

Part 1. Create a Digital Signature in Adobe Acrobat
Part 2. Adobe Alternatives to Create a Digital Signature
Part 3. FAQs on How to Create a Digital Signature in Adobe

Part 1. How to Make Your Digital Signature in Adobe Acrobat

When you search for a tool to view, edit, or sign PDFs, you may easily get the Adobe Acrobat recommendation. It offers a straightforward way to create a digital signature and then sign documents online. You can use the desktop Acrobat software, online services, or the Acrobat Reader mobile app to make your digital signature easily.

Create a Digital Signature in Adobe Online

Step 1:

To quickly create a digital signature, you can navigate to the Adobe Acrobat online website. If you are taken to its Online Signature Generator page, click the Explore Adobe Acrobat button to access the web-based tool. You are required to sign in to your account to move on.

Adobe Acrobat Online Signature Generator

Step 2:

When you enter the home page of this online signature creator, click Upload files to add a PDF file. Here, you can directly upload the document you need to sign. Once loaded, click E-Sign on the top left menu bar. Then, you will see the associated options for creating your online signature. As a new user, you can check the onscreen prompts to know its functions and how it works.

Step 3:

Click Add signature on the left and then start creating your digital signature in the pop-up window. As you can see, Adobe allows you to enter your name, draw manually, or upload an image file that contains your handwritten signature. Click the Save button to confirm the signature creation.

Create A Digital Signature In Adobe Acrobat

Step 4:

To quickly create a digital signature in Adobe and sign a PDF document, you can also click the Fill in form fields icon and click on a blank region of your PDF file. Then, click the 3-dots icon to choose the Signature option. You can take similar steps to make your electronic signature.

Step 5:

To store or export your newly created signature in Adobe, you can right-click on it and choose to copy or save it based on your needs.

Make Your Digital Signature in Adobe Acrobat Reader

If you prefer to make an online signature on your phone, you can use the Adobe Acrobat Reader app. Locate and install it from the App Store or Google Play store on your phone.

Step 1:

Open the Acrobat mobile app and proceed with the setup process. Add a PDF file to start creating a digital signature. Once added, tap Fill & Sign on the bottom screen, and then select the Add signature option.

Step 2:

Like its desktop and online software, you are allowed to draw a signature or upload an image file. In addition, you can allow Acrobat to access your device’s camera and take a picture of your handwritten signature.

Create A Digital Signature In Adobe Acrobat Mobile App

Step 3:

Once the digital signature is created in Adobe, you can tap the suitable position to sign. You can freely edit it to control the overall effect.

Part 2. Adobe Alternatives to Create a Digital Signature

For different reasons, you may prefer to create a digital signature with another tool. Even though Adobe Acrobat provides an effective solution for making online signatures, there are some alternatives available.

Some popular ones include signaturely, DocuSign, SignNow, HelloSign, RightSignature, ShareFile, HoneyBook, and SignWell. They allows you to easily create an online signature and directly use it to sign documents. Moreover, some of them may carry advanced features, such as electronic contracts, templates, and more.

Bonus: How to Convert PDFs to Editable Files

In some cases, you need to convert your PDF documents to an editable format like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image. That allows you to change the text, images, or layout of PDF files. You can rely on the popular PDF Converter Ultimate to make high-accuracy conversions.

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Part 3. FAQs on How to Create a Digital Signature in Adobe

Question 1. Is there still a free version of Adobe Acrobat?

Yes, there is a free version of Adobe Acrobat. You can navigate to the specific Adobe Acrobat online page to access and use various services for free. You are required to sign in to your account to try this free online Acrobat version. If you want to free view, print, and annotate PDF files on your phone, you can turn to the Adobe Acrobat Reader app. Moreover, Adobe allows you to have a free trial of the full Acrobat Pro version for seven days.

Question 2. How can I electronically sign a PDF document in Adobe Acrobat?

As mentioned above, Adobe Acrobat allows you to create your digital signature and electronically sign PDF documents. You can open the specific PDF file you want to sign in Acrobat, go to E-Sign to display the related tools. You can create a signature by drawing or typing your name. Then, place it in the correct position of your PDF document.

Question 3. Are there any free tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro?

Yes, there are several free tools that offer similar functions like Adobe Acrobat Pro. But you should know that, Acrobat Pro is a powerful program that is designed with various features to open, edit, organize, share, or print PDF files. As you can see from above, it also allows you to sign PDFs with your newly created digital signature. Some free Acrobat alternative may only help you to create and edit PDF documents.

Conclusion

This article shares three different solutions to help you electronically sign a PDF on your computer and phone. Before adding digital signatures to PDFs, you should ensure the app you choose has security measures to protect your documents and signatures.

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