In today's fast-paced business world, time is of the essence. With eSignatures, you can say goodbye to the back-and-forth and hassle of physical documents. Our step-by-step guide makes it a breeze to sign PDFs in just five easy steps.
In the digital age, PDFs play a central role in document sharing and agreements.  But what happens when you need a signature to finalise a contract, NDA or any other crucial document? The traditional method—printing, signing, scanning and emailing—feels outdated and cumbersome.
This is where digital signatures come in, offering a faster, more secure and downright convenient way to sign PDFs. With Dropbox, you can electronically sign a PDF in just a few simple steps, without the hassle of printing and scanning.
How to digitally sign a PDF: Step-by-step guide
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Step 1: Access the file
Log in to your account at dropbox.com on your web browser. Or, create an account for free if you don’t already have one! Navigate to and click the PDF file you need to sign to open it.
Step 2: Enter editing mode
Click the Edit button above the file preview to switch to editing mode.
Step 3: Start the signing process
Click the Sign button found above the file preview to start adding your electronic signature. Or, if you’re editing a PDF form, click the relevant signature field.
Step 4: Add your eSignature
- To draw: Click Draw in the Sign toolbar and use your mouse or track pad to draw your signature.
- To type: Click Type, enter your name and select your preferred font by clicking Change font in the lower left of the signature window.
- To upload: Click Upload, then Upload Photo to choose an image of your signature from your desktop or Dropbox files. Ensure your signature image is smaller than 40 MB and in a .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .bmp or .gif format.
Step 5: Finalise the signature
Click Insert to add your signature to the PDF. Resize and drag-and-drop the signature to the appropriate location in the document.
Click Done to finish and save your file. Your signed document will be saved as a new file in your Dropbox account, keeping the original document unaltered.
If you prefer to work on-the-go with your mobile device, you can also sign PDFs using the Dropbox mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Why should you add a digital signature to your PDFs?
Without digital signatures, your documents remain vulnerable and open to potential issues. Digital signatures offer a host of benefits that make them a more secure and efficient alternative to traditional methods.
Enhanced security and authentication
Digital signatures are critical for protecting your documents against unauthorised modifications. Once a PDF is signed digitally, any changes made after the document is signed are detectable, ensuring the content's integrity is maintained.
Digital signatures also provide a secure and verifiable way to confirm the identity of the signer, crucial for legal and professional documents.
Increased efficiency
Digital signatures on PDFs simplify transactions, making them ideal for fast-paced business environments. You and your team can sign and return documents in a matter of minutes, eliminating the need for printing, scanning and mailing documents.
Remote accessibility
Digital signatures can be applied to PDFs from any location, which is indispensable for remote teams and global operations. Whether you're working from home, on the road or in a different country, you can easily sign and send PDFs with Dropbox.
Compliance and recognition
In many regions, a digital signature on a PDF is recognised as legally binding as a handwritten signature, making it effective for contracts and agreements. Digital signatures also comply with industry standards and regulations, ensuring your documents are valid and enforceable.
Improved client experience
Accelerate deal closures and approvals, enhancing client satisfaction by meeting deadlines and expectations with greater efficiency. With digital signatures, you can quickly and easily sign and send documents, reducing the time it takes to complete transactions.
Go beyond signing: Advanced PDF tools for sharing, collaboration and more
Dropbox offers a comprehensive PDF signing solution that provides a range of features and benefits, making it the ideal choice for individuals and businesses alike.
In addition to its robust PDF signing capabilities, Dropbox offers a suite of advanced PDF editing features that enhance document management, sharing and collaboration.
With Dropbox, you can:
- Share PDFs with others and control access permissions
- View and annotate PDFs with comments and highlights
- Collaborate on PDFs in real time with team members
- Track changes and manage document versions
- Convert PDFs to other file formats and vice versa
Get secure, simple and swift PDF signatures with Dropbox
Dropbox offers a secure, simple and swift solution for signing PDFs. With Dropbox, you can easily add your digital signature to any PDF document, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of your documents. Try Dropbox today and experience the benefits of secure and efficient PDF signing.
Frequently asked questions
You can eSign a PDF without Adobe Acrobat Reader using Dropbox. Simply follow the steps outlined in this guide to add your digital signature to any PDF document.
Yes, a digital PDF signature on Dropbox is legally binding in many regions. Digital signatures comply with industry standards and regulations, ensuring your documents are valid and enforceable.
Yes, you can manage multiple signatures on a single document in Dropbox. Simply add each signature one by one using the steps outlined in this guide.
