Easily DocuSign Excel Sheets: Quick Guide
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to sign a document but didn't have access to a physical printer or scanner? Or perhaps, you're coordinating a project and need team members to electronically sign off on tasks directly within a shared Excel spreadsheet? In today's digital age, the need for electronic signatures in spreadsheets is more prevalent than ever. Fortunately, with tools like DocuSign, you can streamline this process, making document management and approval far more efficient. In this guide, we'll explore how you can integrate DocuSign with Excel to facilitate easy document signing, right from your spreadsheet.
What is DocuSign?
DocuSign is one of the leading electronic signature and digital transaction management platforms. It enables you to get signatures on documents securely, reducing the turnaround time for approvals. Here’s what DocuSign offers:
- Electronic Signatures: Legally binding signatures that comply with international standards.
- Document Management: Track, send, and manage document approvals with ease.
- Integration: Works with popular software like Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Salesforce.
- Security: Offers top-tier encryption and authentication protocols to ensure document integrity.
Why Use DocuSign with Excel?
Excel is a widely used tool for data management, financial calculations, and project planning. Integrating DocuSign with Excel allows you:
- To maintain document integrity by keeping everything within your spreadsheet.
- To streamline workflows by eliminating the need for separate document handling.
- To enhance efficiency in approval processes through automation.
How to Integrate DocuSign with Excel
The integration of DocuSign with Excel involves a few steps. Here’s a quick guide to setting this up:
Step 1: Ensure DocuSign Add-in is Installed
Before you can start integrating DocuSign with Excel, you must have the DocuSign add-in:
- Go to Excel’s File > Options > Add-ins.
- Look for the Manage dropdown at the bottom and select COM Add-ins, then click Go.
- Check if DocuSign for Microsoft Office is listed. If not, go to DocuSign’s website to download and install it.
- Restart Excel after installation to access the add-in.
Step 2: Preparing Your Excel Spreadsheet
Your Excel file needs to be prepared for signatures:
- Ensure that there are fields where signatures are needed.
- These can be cells, or you can insert text boxes where signatures will be placed.
Step 3: Launching the DocuSign Add-in
Now that everything is set up, here’s how to use DocuSign within Excel:
- Open your Excel spreadsheet.
- Click on the Home tab, and look for the DocuSign group.
- Click Sign and Send to start the DocuSign process.
💡 Note: Ensure your DocuSign add-in is up to date for the best experience.
Step 4: Signing and Sending the Document
Within the DocuSign interface inside Excel:
- Add recipients by entering their email addresses.
- Set the signing order if necessary.
- Place signature tags where you need signatures within the document or in specific cells.
- Customize any additional features like adding a subject or message.
- Send the document for signing.
Step 5: Monitoring Progress
After sending the document, you can:
- Track the status of the document through the DocuSign add-in.
- Receive notifications when signers complete their signatures.
Finalizing the Document
Once all signatures are collected:
- Download the signed document back into Excel or save it to a cloud service like Dropbox or OneDrive.
- The signed document can be integrated back into your workflow for further action or archiving.
In summary, integrating DocuSign with Excel can significantly improve your document management process. This guide has outlined the steps to prepare your spreadsheet, install the necessary add-in, and streamline the signing process, ensuring efficiency and security in handling electronic documents.
Do I need a paid DocuSign account to integrate with Excel?
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Yes, while you can start with a free trial, to take full advantage of the integration features, you’ll need a paid DocuSign account.
Can I automate the signing process in Excel?
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Absolutely, with DocuSign for Microsoft Office, you can automate the routing of documents for signatures based on rules or conditions in your Excel data.
Is DocuSign integration safe for sensitive data?
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Yes, DocuSign uses top-tier encryption and authentication protocols to ensure the security and integrity of your documents. Additionally, all data is handled in compliance with international standards for e-signatures.