How to Learn Adobe Acrobat and Sign a Scanned PDF
Question details
The user is looking for beginner resources to learn Adobe Acrobat and specifically needs to know how to electronically sign a scanned PDF document and return it via email.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A non-technical user has scanned a physical document into a PDF and needs to figure out how to add a digital signature to the file so it can be emailed back to the sender.
- Observed behavior
- The user lacks the foundational knowledge to utilize PDF software for basic tasks like document signing and sharing.
Ensure you have downloaded and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader (or a comparable free PDF editor) on your computer, and have your scanned PDF document saved in a folder where you can easily find it.
How to Sign and Email a Scanned PDF in Adobe Acrobat
A straightforward, step-by-step method for beginners to add a signature to a scanned document using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader application.
You do not need an advanced subscription to simply sign a document. The free Adobe Acrobat Reader contains a built-in Fill & Sign tool designed exactly for this purpose.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, go to 'File' > 'Open', and select your scanned PDF document.
Click on the 'Fill & Sign' tool located in the right-hand tool pane. If you do not see it, click on the 'Tools' tab at the top left and select 'Fill & Sign'.
Click the 'Sign yourself' icon at the top of the document window, then select 'Add Signature'. You can choose to type your name, draw your signature with your mouse, or upload a photo of your handwritten signature.
Once your signature is created, your mouse cursor will carry it. Hover over the signature line on the document and click to place it. You can drag the corners to resize it if necessary.
Go to 'File' > 'Save As' and save a copy of the signed PDF to your computer. Finally, open your email client, compose a new message, attach this new PDF, and send it.
Utilize Adobe's Official Learning Center
Access free tutorials and guides provided directly by Adobe to master basic and advanced PDF tasks.
Sign Scanned PDFs Easily for Free with WPS Office
WPS Office provides an intuitive, beginner-friendly PDF reader and editor. It allows non-technical users to quickly add signatures to scanned documents without the learning curve of complex software.
- 1. Open PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your scanned PDF file within the application.
- 2. Access Signature Tool: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on the 'PDF Signature' or 'Sign' button.
- 3. Create Signature: Create your digital signature by drawing it with your mouse, typing your name, or uploading a saved image of your real signature.
- 4. Apply and Save: Click exactly where you want the signature to appear on your document to apply it, then save your newly signed file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign a PDF on my smartphone or tablet?
Yes, you can download the mobile version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or the WPS Office app on iOS and Android. Open the document in the app, select the Fill & Sign feature, and use your touchscreen to easily draw your signature.
Do I need a paid subscription to sign a PDF?
No, basic document signing is a completely free feature in both Adobe Acrobat Reader and WPS Office. You typically only need a paid subscription if you wish to edit the existing text or convert the PDF to other file formats.
How do I scan a physical piece of paper into a PDF?
You can use a traditional scanner connected to your PC, or you can use a mobile scanning app like Adobe Scan or the WPS Office mobile app. These apps let you take a photo of the physical document with your phone's camera and automatically convert it into a well-formatted PDF file.
Why can't I edit the text in my scanned PDF?
Scanned PDFs are essentially flat images of a document. To edit the actual text, the software needs to use an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool to recognize the letters, which is generally a premium feature in most PDF editors.
