How to Type a Digital Name Signature

By Robin Reichert

Handwritten as well as digital signatures are essential for identity verification purposes.
i signature image by Allyson Ricketts from Fotolia.com

A digital name signature ensures that computer files are authentic and have not been altered. The digital signature, also called a digital certificate, can be created for email, text files, Word documents, Access databases, PowerPoint presentations and just about any kind of file that requires verification of authenticity. A digital certificate can be purchased from a third-party company, but you can create your own digital signature for your Microsoft Office documents and files. A digital name signature is useful when sharing files with others to ensure that no one has changed your original document.

Click on the "File" tab or click the Office icon at the top left of the document window. Select "Prepare" from the drop-down menu and then click on "Get a Digital Signature."

Select "Create a Digital ID" in the dialog box that opens. Your digital signature should be unique to you and not a generic signature used by any other user who has access to your computer.

Enter the following information for the digital name signature: name; email address; company or business name; location (city, state and/or country). Click "Create" when you have entered all the required information.

Enter the purpose for creating the digital signature for the document. The purpose may be to authenticate the document as original or unedited. Type whatever reason you want to type in this box. Click "Sign the Document." The document will now have a digital signature. Changes or edits to the document will not be permitted once the document is digitally signed. Any changes or edits made to the document will invalidate the certificate.

Save your file. Documents that are signed with a user-created digital identification may be authenticated only the computer where the document and digital name signature is originally created.

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