How To Electronically Sign A PDF Document?

[paulyron]

Have a document that I have to fill out and sign and I can do it electronically as oppose to having to print it out.  I did this years ago but forgot how to do it.

 

I am using a Chromebook.  When I did this year ago, it was with a windows laptop.  I can do this on a windows 11 laptop but prefer doing it on my Chromebook. 

 

I recalled years ago I had either signed my signature on a piece of paper and then took a photo of it with my iphone and uploaded it to my laptop and then either clicked on that photo and then moved it to the signature spot and that is my signature... or I manually signed the signature with my mouse but I do not believe it was this way though.  I had the signature saved.

 

I have to fill out a few things in the PDF file as well and remember moving my mouse to certain areas and then a box appears and then my typing in whatever I had to write.  So imagine a form where you have to fill out certain lines where you normally write it out if you have the printed the document out and you have to put your signature on it.  

 

How do I do this on the Chromebook?  What program do I need?  Do I need to download a specific Adobe program?  I remember years ago it was adobe reader or some other adobe program that I used.  The other thing is it seems on my Chromebook, I have to link my google account or some other account to adobe before I can use it?  Can someone tell me the exact way to do this on a Chromebook?  I know doing this on a windows 11 laptop will probably be easier but want to use my Chromebook for it.  

[paulyron]

I like to mention that on the form, it would have some sensitive information like my social security number and things like that.  So based on what, would using those 3rd party sites where you upload the document there on the site and sign it not a good idea?

[Robchil]

1 hour ago, paulyron said:

I like to mention that on the form, it would have some sensitive information like my social security number and things like that.  So based on what, would using those 3rd party sites where you upload the document there on the site and sign it not a good idea?

It depends on the country you are in. 

I needed to get a court document digitally signed, and mailed it to the courts, and they started the signing process.

 

Adobe is a subscription now that you can cancel when your done, but would have been what i would use to get it done if who needs the signed document don't support signing documents. 

 

[Dedayog]

2 hours ago, paulyron said:

Have a document that I have to fill out and sign and I can do it electronically as oppose to having to print it out.  I did this years ago but forgot how to do it.

 

I am using a Chromebook.  When I did this year ago, it was with a windows laptop.  I can do this on a windows 11 laptop but prefer doing it on my Chromebook. 

 

I recalled years ago I had either signed my signature on a piece of paper and then took a photo of it with my iphone and uploaded it to my laptop and then either clicked on that photo and then moved it to the signature spot and that is my signature... or I manually signed the signature with my mouse but I do not believe it was this way though.  I had the signature saved.

 

I have to fill out a few things in the PDF file as well and remember moving my mouse to certain areas and then a box appears and then my typing in whatever I had to write.  So imagine a form where you have to fill out certain lines where you normally write it out if you have the printed the document out and you have to put your signature on it.  

 

How do I do this on the Chromebook?  What program do I need?  Do I need to download a specific Adobe program?  I remember years ago it was adobe reader or some other adobe program that I used.  The other thing is it seems on my Chromebook, I have to link my google account or some other account to adobe before I can use it?  Can someone tell me the exact way to do this on a Chromebook?  I know doing this on a windows 11 laptop will probably be easier but want to use my Chromebook for it.  

Correct, you can digitally sign with either the built in feature (it takes your login name and makes it cursive), or use the stamp method where you scan in your signature or initials and it uses that as a personalized stamp.

 

Depending on legality needs, you may have requirements that are beyond those two.

 

For work, we use Docusign for Operating Agreements and other legal contracts.  For internal stuff, like when I sign off on my employees workpapers or approve a wire request I use the above.

 

 

[paulyron]

I need to just fill the form out by filling a certain things like typing it out and putting my signature.

 

 

So which method should I do then if I want to do this on my Chromebook?  I would have the PDF file downloaded on my computer.

[DraconisMaximus]

If the PDF in question is properly formatted for digital filling you should be able to do it directly in Google Drive.

See this post for details:

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/9463834

[FilipposTechGR]

On 9/1/2025 at 8:29 PM, paulyron said:

Have a document that I have to fill out and sign and I can do it electronically as oppose to having to print it out.  I did this years ago but forgot how to do it.

 

I am using a Chromebook.  When I did this year ago, it was with a windows laptop.  I can do this on a windows 11 laptop but prefer doing it on my Chromebook. 

 

I recalled years ago I had either signed my signature on a piece of paper and then took a photo of it with my iphone and uploaded it to my laptop and then either clicked on that photo and then moved it to the signature spot and that is my signature... or I manually signed the signature with my mouse but I do not believe it was this way though.  I had the signature saved.

 

I have to fill out a few things in the PDF file as well and remember moving my mouse to certain areas and then a box appears and then my typing in whatever I had to write.  So imagine a form where you have to fill out certain lines where you normally write it out if you have the printed the document out and you have to put your signature on it.  

 

How do I do this on the Chromebook?  What program do I need?  Do I need to download a specific Adobe program?  I remember years ago it was adobe reader or some other adobe program that I used.  The other thing is it seems on my Chromebook, I have to link my google account or some other account to adobe before I can use it?  Can someone tell me the exact way to do this on a Chromebook?  I know doing this on a windows 11 laptop will probably be easier but want to use my Chromebook for it.  

You don’t need to install heavy software on a Chromebook. Just open the pdf in Google Drive or the built in pdf viewer, click the pen icon Annotate, and you can type text into fields or draw insert your signature. If you prefer, you can also use free online tools like Smallpdf or DocHub they work directly in the browser. No need to link your Google account to Adobe unless you want to use Adobe Acrobat Online.

[paulyron]

On 9/3/2025 at 2:53 AM, DraconisMaximus said:

If the PDF in question is properly formatted for digital filling you should be able to do it directly in Google Drive.

See this post for details:

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/9463834

I sent the PDF file to my Google drive.  I then clicked on preview file and it shows the PDF file.  Then I clicked on open file on Google docs and then it opens up but it no longer looks like PDF file and looks like a word/OpenOffice file but all the words and letters are scattered.  Is there a reason for this?

 

I notice the other 2 suggestions are lumin PDF or dochub but when I click on either, it requires me to connect to my Google account?  So I have to do this?

 

I thought I could just open the PDF file on Google docs and then type in answers for the form and then write my signature on it but this doesn't appear to be the case?  I read about Adobe Fill and Sign so would I need to download that instead?  I have to fill out the form by both filling out the form and signing it.  Can I do this on my Chromebook?  I have to download that app from the Google play store?

[paulyron]

On 9/3/2025 at 7:47 AM, FilipposTechGR said:

You don’t need to install heavy software on a Chromebook. Just open the pdf in Google Drive or the built in pdf viewer, click the pen icon Annotate, and you can type text into fields or draw insert your signature. If you prefer, you can also use free online tools like Smallpdf or DocHub they work directly in the browser. No need to link your Google account to Adobe unless you want to use Adobe Acrobat Online.

Can you explain how I do this?  I posted my reply to this above.  When I preview the PDF document, it's there.  But when I open the file on Google docs, the whole document is no longer a PDF file and it's a like a scattered file with words all over the place like in a word/OpenOffice document.  

 

 

I'm not sure what is the built in PDF viewer on my Chromebook now?  

 

 

The thing is my document is sensitive as I am entering sensitive information on this forum.  So I shouldn't want to connect it to my Google account?  Or I have to if I want to use Adobe Acrobat online?   I have to fill out the form and put my signature in it.  

[DraconisMaximus]

37 minutes ago, paulyron said:

Then I clicked on open file on Google docs and then it opens up but it no longer looks like PDF file and looks like a word/OpenOffice file but all the words and letters are scattered.  Is there a reason for this?

Most likely it is encoded to prevent unauthorized edits. Google Drive / Docs now allows full edits of PDFs. By my recheck, it seems the may have remove the fill and sign feature. Fill and Sign just super imposes your info over the document instead of actually editing it. I usually use Adobe Reader (on Windows) to fill documents. The free version has the Fill and Sign feature and does not require an account. Firefox on PC also has PDF editing built in, but I could found no info on the mobile version (which is what is available on ChromeOS).

44 minutes ago, paulyron said:

I notice the other 2 suggestions are lumin PDF or dochub but when I click on either, it requires me to connect to my Google account?  So I have to do this?

I'm sure that has something to do with the ChromeOS / Google Playstore Integration.

43 minutes ago, paulyron said:

The thing is my document is sensitive as I am entering sensitive information on this forum.  So I shouldn't want to connect it to my Google account?

I wouldn't want to either. But if you are using on ChromeOS, isn't it already a moot point?

 

45 minutes ago, paulyron said:

Or I have to if I want to use Adobe Acrobat online?

I would consider that worse than the Google option.

 

48 minutes ago, paulyron said:

I read about Adobe Fill and Sign so would I need to download that instead?  I have to fill out the form by both filling out the form and signing it.  Can I do this on my Chromebook?  I have to download that app from the Google play store?

It works great in the desktop (Windows) version but I'm not sure if that works in the mobile one. And yes, unless you have jailbroken you Chromebook (to allow most Linux software), you will need to download the Play Store version.

 

 

If you have a secure PC available I would recommend just using that and the free version of Adobe Reader.

[FilipposTechGR]

5 hours ago, paulyron said:

Can you explain how I do this?  I posted my reply to this above.  When I preview the PDF document, it's there.  But when I open the file on Google docs, the whole document is no longer a PDF file and it's a like a scattered file with words all over the place like in a word/OpenOffice document.  

 

 

I'm not sure what is the built in PDF viewer on my Chromebook now?  

 

 

The thing is my document is sensitive as I am entering sensitive information on this forum.  So I shouldn't want to connect it to my Google account?  Or I have to if I want to use Adobe Acrobat online?   I have to fill out the form and put my signature in it.  

Don’t open the PDF in Google Docs, because that will try to convert it into a text document and that’s why it looks scrambled. Instead, right-click the file in Google Drive and choose Preview, that opens it in the built-in PDF viewer. There you should see the Annotate (pen) option to type or draw on the PDF without converting it.

If your document is sensitive and you don’t want to upload to other services like Adobe Online or Smallpdf, stick with the Chromebook’s built-in PDF viewer. That way it stays in your Google Drive only, and you can fill it out and add your signature without sending it anywhere else.
 

[paulyron]

22 hours ago, DraconisMaximus said:

Most likely it is encoded to prevent unauthorized edits. Google Drive / Docs now allows full edits of PDFs. By my recheck, it seems the may have remove the fill and sign feature. Fill and Sign just super imposes your info over the document instead of actually editing it. I usually use Adobe Reader (on Windows) to fill documents. The free version has the Fill and Sign feature and does not require an account. Firefox on PC also has PDF editing built in, but I could found no info on the mobile version (which is what is available on ChromeOS).

I'm sure that has something to do with the ChromeOS / Google Playstore Integration.

I wouldn't want to either. But if you are using on ChromeOS, isn't it already a moot point?

 

I would consider that worse than the Google option.

 

It works great in the desktop (Windows) version but I'm not sure if that works in the mobile one. And yes, unless you have jailbroken you Chromebook (to allow most Linux software), you will need to download the Play Store version.

 

 

If you have a secure PC available I would recommend just using that and the free version of Adobe Reader.

When I open the PDF file by clicking on preview... it shows how the PDF file is suppose to look.  Now if I open it with Google docs, it comes out in like a word/openoffice file where all the characters are like scrambled.  I am using Chromebook at the moment and want to use it to fill out the form by typing some words and numbers and signing my signature on it.  I am going to do this on the Chromebook.  So you say I should use Adobe reader and link the Google account to do it that way?

[paulyron]

18 hours ago, FilipposTechGR said:

Don’t open the PDF in Google Docs, because that will try to convert it into a text document and that’s why it looks scrambled. Instead, right-click the file in Google Drive and choose Preview, that opens it in the built-in PDF viewer. There you should see the Annotate (pen) option to type or draw on the PDF without converting it.

If your document is sensitive and you don’t want to upload to other services like Adobe Online or Smallpdf, stick with the Chromebook’s built-in PDF viewer. That way it stays in your Google Drive only, and you can fill it out and add your signature without sending it anywhere else.
 

When I opened the PDF file Google docs, it does what you mention as it's scrambled.  I right clicked the file in Google drive and choose preview and it shows the preview correctly.  the issue here is there doesn't seem to be the annotate(pen) option to type or draw on the PDF.  Can you tell me exactly where this option is because it doesn't seem to be there?  The only thing that is even somewhat like that is this option where you click on it... you can comment.  However, this option isn't even correct because it requires you to highlight the area you want to comment.  So say in the PDD form, it's a line to write your name for example.  Well, when I highlight that area by moving my mouse, it makes like a yellow marker on that line.  Then there is option to type something on that line.  Let say I type in Paulyron.  Then I save the document.  Now when I check out the PDF file, it literally has that yellow highlight on it.  It doesn't even display Paulyron on that line.  But it seem to suggest I written it on that yellow highlight area but it doesn't show it?  Can you explain why this is happening?

 

 

Is this because I'm using a Chromebook and that is why no Annotate (pen) option shows up?  That wouldn't make sense right since well it's Google drive?

 

 

I have to type in some sensitive information on that PDF file.  Then save it and then send it to someone.  By that, I mean I have to save the PDF file with my information and signature and upload that document on their website.  But I can't seem to do this because there is no Annotate (pen) option on the preview of the PDF file?   Would I have to download adobe reader for this then?  The thing is I have to connect it to my Google account in order to use Adobe reader?  I used it years ago when I typed information and put my signature on the PDF file but it was with a Windows laptop.  But I can do this with Chromebook right?  It does seem acrobat reader is installed by default?

[FilipposTechGR]

6 hours ago, paulyron said:

When I opened the PDF file Google docs, it does what you mention as it's scrambled.  I right clicked the file in Google drive and choose preview and it shows the preview correctly.  the issue here is there doesn't seem to be the annotate(pen) option to type or draw on the PDF.  Can you tell me exactly where this option is because it doesn't seem to be there?  The only thing that is even somewhat like that is this option where you click on it... you can comment.  However, this option isn't even correct because it requires you to highlight the area you want to comment.  So say in the PDD form, it's a line to write your name for example.  Well, when I highlight that area by moving my mouse, it makes like a yellow marker on that line.  Then there is option to type something on that line.  Let say I type in Paulyron.  Then I save the document.  Now when I check out the PDF file, it literally has that yellow highlight on it.  It doesn't even display Paulyron on that line.  But it seem to suggest I written it on that yellow highlight area but it doesn't show it?  Can you explain why this is happening?

 

 

Is this because I'm using a Chromebook and that is why no Annotate (pen) option shows up?  That wouldn't make sense right since well it's Google drive?

 

 

I have to type in some sensitive information on that PDF file.  Then save it and then send it to someone.  By that, I mean I have to save the PDF file with my information and signature and upload that document on their website.  But I can't seem to do this because there is no Annotate (pen) option on the preview of the PDF file?   Would I have to download adobe reader for this then?  The thing is I have to connect it to my Google account in order to use Adobe reader?  I used it years ago when I typed information and put my signature on the PDF file but it was with a Windows laptop.  But I can do this with Chromebook right?  It does seem acrobat reader is installed by default?

You’ll need to open it with a proper PDF editor. On a Chromebook, the easiest way is to install Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Play Store, or use another PDF editor app. That way your changes typed text, signature are actually saved in the PDF itself instead of just being comments.

[paulyron]

6 hours ago, FilipposTechGR said:

You’ll need to open it with a proper PDF editor. On a Chromebook, the easiest way is to install Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Play Store, or use another PDF editor app. That way your changes typed text, signature are actually saved in the PDF itself instead of just being comments.

 

So in other words, Google docs is useless for this PDF file then?  Thus the preview doesn't work?  But if it was a Windows laptop, that would work?  I'm confused because why does it not show the annotate(pen) option?  I can't imagine it not showing up for Chromebook but it does for Windows since that has to do with Google docs?

[FilipposTechGR]

10 minutes ago, paulyron said:

 

So in other words, Google docs is useless for this PDF file then?  Thus the preview doesn't work?  But if it was a Windows laptop, that would work?  I'm confused because why does it not show the annotate(pen) option?  I can't imagine it not showing up for Chromebook but it does for Windows since that has to do with Google docs?

Yeah, exactly  Google Docs can show the PDF, but it can’t really edit or save changes into it on Windows or Chromebook. That’s why you don’t see the pen/annotate option. For proper editing you’ll still need Acrobat Reader or another real PDF editor.

[paulyron]

8 minutes ago, FilipposTechGR said:

Yeah, exactly  Google Docs can show the PDF, but it can’t really edit or save changes into it on Windows or Chromebook. That’s why you don’t see the pen/annotate option. For proper editing you’ll still need Acrobat Reader or another real PDF editor.

I'm a bit confused.  So the annotate (pen) option you mention for typing and signing a signature is incorrect then since you can't even do this on windows laptop?  I had thought you meant you could on windows laptop but not on a Chromebook with the annotate (pen) option.  So how would the pen (annotate) option even show up then?

 

So use acrobat reader on Chromebook... and link it to my Google account... since I have to do this to use acrobat reader on my Chromebook right?  Then I can type what I want on the PDF document and sign a signature on it?

 

 

 

[FilipposTechGR]

29 minutes ago, paulyron said:

I'm a little confused. So the annotation (pen) option you mention for typing and signing a signature is incorrect, since you can't do that on a Windows laptop either. I thought you meant you could on a Windows laptop, but not on a Chromebook with the annotation (pen) option. So how would the annotation (pen) option appear?

 

So use Acrobat Reader on your Chromebook... and connect it to my Google Account... since I have to do that to use Acrobat Reader on my Chromebook, right? Then I can type whatever I want into the PDF document and sign it?

 

 

 

Yes exactly, If you install Acrobat Reader on your Chromebook, you can link it to Google Drive and open the PDF there. Then you’ll be able to type directly into the fields or add a signature, and those changes will be properly saved in the PDF itself.
 

[paulyron]

3 minutes ago, FilipposTechGR said:

Yes exactly, If you install Acrobat Reader on your Chromebook, you can link it to Google Drive and open the PDF there. Then you’ll be able to type directly into the fields or add a signature, and those changes will be properly saved in the PDF itself.
 

So it's the regular acrobat reader right and it's free?  When I check the Google play store, there is other similar apps like Adobe Fill and Sign but that is not necessary?

 

So Adobe Reader is the preferred program for this then right?

 

Can you explain the annotation (pen) option thing earlier though?  You are saying that doesn't even work on a windows laptop?  Or it does... but it doesn't show up on a Chromebook?  I'm confused with your wording there as you mentioned the annotation (pen) option with Google docs.

[FilipposTechGR]

14 minutes ago, paulyron said:

So it's the regular acrobat reader right and it's free?  When I check the Google play store, there is other similar apps like Adobe Fill and Sign but that is not necessary?

 

So Adobe Reader is the preferred program for this then right?

 

Can you explain the annotation (pen) option thing earlier though?  You are saying that doesn't even work on a windows laptop?  Or it does... but it doesn't show up on a Chromebook?  I'm confused with your wording there as you mentioned the annotation (pen) option with Google docs.

Yes, it’s the regular free Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Play Store. You don’t need the extra Fill & Sign app Reader itself already lets you type into form fields and add a signature.

About the pen/annotation option: Google Docs only shows the PDF, it doesn’t have a proper annotation tool on Windows or Chromebook. That’s why you didn’t see it. 

[paulyron]

1 minute ago, FilipposTechGR said:

Yes, it’s the regular free Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Play Store. You don’t need the extra Fill & Sign app Reader itself already lets you type into form fields and add a signature.

About the pen/annotation option: Google Docs only shows the PDF, it doesn’t have a proper annotation tool on Windows or Chromebook. That’s why you didn’t see it. 

 

Okay so the pen/annotation that you are speaking of... that would apply to what exactly?  What program are you talking about applies to that?  

[FilipposTechGR]

7 minutes ago, paulyron said:

 

Okay so the pen/annotation that you are speaking of... that would apply to what exactly?  What program are you talking about applies to that?  

The pen/annotation option I mentioned refers to tools you’d find in a proper PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Reader, not in Google Docs.

[paulyron]

39 minutes ago, FilipposTechGR said:

The pen/annotation option I mentioned refers to tools you’d find in a proper PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Reader, not in Google Docs.

Okay.

 

I uploaded the PDF file to Adobe Reader and linked my Google account to use it.  I then clicked on text and then typed in what I wanted to print in certain areas of the PDF file.

 

However, when I click on fill and sign, I get this error message that says There was an error in starting Fill and Sign.  Please try clearing the cache data on your play store application.  How do I fix this issue?  Where do I clear this cache in the chromebook settings?  So fill and sign different from clicking on draw option?  I want to use my mouse to sign it.  I shouldn't use the draw option to sign right?  When I do this, it's very hard and sloppy.  But is Fill and sign different?

[paulyron]

The other thing is this.  Is there a way for me to draw my signature with my finger on the laptop touchscreen as oppose to using my mouse?  As you can, using a mouse to try to draw a signature makes it look very bad.

 

 

Could I do that on the Acrobat Reader Fill and Sign if I get that to work?  I believe there is an option where you could actually say write your signature on a piece of paper and take a photo of it on your iphone.  Then upload the photo to the Acrobat Reader and copy and paste the written signature to it?  I think I did that years ago on a windows laptop with Acrobat Reader.  The thing is I prefer just drawing my signature with my finger on the laptop screen.  Would that work?

 

 

 

Right now the Acrobat Reader Fill and Sign has that issue.

[FilipposTechGR]

2 hours ago, paulyron said:

Well.

 

I uploaded the PDF file to Adobe Reader and connected my Google account to use it. Then, I clicked on the text and then typed what I wanted to print in specific areas of the PDF file.

 

However, when I click on the "Fill and Sign" option, I get this error message that says "An error occurred while starting the "Fill and Sign" feature." Try clearing the cache data in the Play Store app. How can I fix this problem? Where can I clear this cache in Chromebook settings? So, is the "Fill and Sign" option different from the "Draw" option? I want to use my mouse to sign it. I shouldn't use the "Draw" option to sign, right? When I do that, it's very difficult and sloppy. But is the "Fill and Sign" option different?

Fill & Sign is mainly for typing into PDF forms or dropping in a saved signature. The Draw/Sketch tool is separate, that’s the one where you can actually draw your signature with the mouse or touch. It’s a bit clunky, but that’s normal. So if you just want to hand-draw the signature, you’d use the Draw option.