Google Docs and Drive will support digital signatures

Google is now releasing the ability to request and leave digital signatures in beta, after more than a year of testing the feature in alpha.

There is a wide range of software that already offer digital signature support, from cloud-based options like Dropbox to local programs like Adobe Acrobat. Therefore, Google's addition of this feature aims to gain an advantage over competitors instead of creating a new platform, saving users from having to switch a lot between different apps and tabs while working. on contracts after it's deployed.

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The screenshot published by Google shows how Docs and Drive users can request a full signature or initials from the recipient, and there's also a 'signed date' box that can be set to autofill. Multiple signature requests can be generated from the same sample contract, and Google says it also includes the ability to track the status of pending signatures. It looks like you can currently only request signatures from Gmail users. The Google blog post notes that the 'ability to request digital signatures from non-Gmail users' won't appear until later this year.

While this feature has ended alpha and entered beta, Google's digital signature feature is not yet widely available to all Workspace users. Individual Workspace subscribers will have access to the open beta of this feature in the coming weeks, but other Workspace Business or Enterprise subscribers will only have access if their admin specifically requests it. through this form. Whether or not this feature will be available to Google's free personal accounts is not mentioned.

David Pac

Update 10 August 2023