Mac Productivity Tip: Sign PDF Documents using Trackpad

If you’re a Mac user, you are likely familiar with Preview – the handy, built-in image and PDF viewer of the macOS operating system. Like so many of our day to day programs, it has more tricks up its sleeve than you may know. It is an unpretentious application that can perform the tasks of multiple standalone utilities. Apart from quickly converting files formats, opening documents and images, and allowing for basic image editing, it also has a cool signature function that you can use to sign PDF files with a Trackpad. Here’s how:

  1. With your PDF file open in Preview, look for the Markup button (a pen tip inside a circle) then look for the Signature button (a horizontal line with a small “x” and initials).
  2. You will be presented with a window to create a signature. Click on Create Signature > Click Here to Begin.
    1. If you have a trackpad, sign your name with your finger. Click any key when finished signing.
    2. Alternatively, with your Mac’s built-in camera, you can sign your name on white paper and hold it up to  the camera. Preview will draw a virtual signature.
  3. Click Done.
  4. Choose your signature to add it to the document. You can move and resize it anywhere on the document.
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