Adobe Acrobat Sign for Microsoft Word/PowerPoint Add-in: User Guide

Click here to install the add-in from the Microsoft® store.

The Adobe Acrobat Sign add-in for Microsoft® Word and PowerPoint simplifies the process of creating agreements using Word or PowerPoint files that are 5MB or smaller.

This help document explains how to:

• Install and activate the add-in
  This is a one-time setup from the 365 store, and you won't need elevated system permissions to do it.
• Establish the connection between Office and Adobe Acrobat Sign
  This trust relationship ensures seamless integration. You'll only need to do this once by authenticating to both environments.
• Use the add-in
  Discover the add-in's features and learn how to use Adobe Acrobat Sign directly within your Word or PowerPoint client.
• Configure the settings
• Enable users to consent to applications (for admins) 
• Install at the tenant level (for admins)

For administrators using Office 365, there's an option to centrally install the add-in at the tenant level and manage user access settings. This way, both Word and PowerPoint can be accessed by all users in the tenant.

Individual users who choose to install the add-in independently should remember to install it separately for both Word and PowerPoint.

Prerequisites

Ensure that your system meets these requirements:

Basic Microsoft® requirements to use Office.

Windows® operating System:

• Windows® 10 (version 1903 or later, if earlier, install Microsoft® webview)
• Windows® 11

Supported Microsoft® Office Versions for Windows®:

• Office 2016 (build 16.0.4390.1000+)
• Office 2019 (build 16.0.12527.20720+)
• Office 2021 (build 16.0.14326.204454+)
• Office for Windows®, subscription (version 1602, build 6741.0000+)

 Supported Microsoft® Office Versions for Mac:

• Office for Mac (v15.34+)

Supported Web browsers:

• Office Online (365) with current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
• Office Online Server (version 1608, build 7601.6800+)

Important notes:

• Private/Incognito browser sessions aren’t supported.
• Mobile browsers and mobile apps aren’t supported.

Edge browser configuration: For seamless operation in Edge browsers, trust the following sites in your browser's security configuration:

• https://*.echocdn.com
• https://*.echosign.com
• https://*.adobesigncdn.com
• https://*.adobesign.com/
• https://*.microsoftonline.com
• https://*.office.com
• https://*.office365.com
• https://*.live.com (if using a live account)
• https://*.sharepoint.com
• If you use a third-party identity management system, add its URL as well.

For Mac high Sierra OS Users: If you encounter an issue when accessing the add-in from Word/PowerPoint desktop apps (version 16.11 or later) in Mac high Sierra:

1. Open the add-in settings and sign out.
2. Reauthenticate to the service by clicking "Get Started."
3. If the problem persists, contact customer support.

This concise guide will help you ensure compatibility and troubleshoot any issues effectively.

Install the add-in

Establish the authenticated relationship

After enabling the add-in, you must connect your Microsoft® account with your Adobe Acrobat Sign account. This ensures that only you can send agreements through your Adobe Acrobat Sign user. The configuration is quick and involves authenticating to both systems.

If you don't have an Adobe Acrobat Sign account, you can try it for free (see step 3 below). Note that Acrobat Sign for government accounts doesn't offer free trials.

Once you've established this connection, you won't need to reauthenticate with Adobe Acrobat Sign unless you explicitly sign out from the add-in.

Please note that the Office may prompt you to reauthenticate after one hour of inactivity or after 24 hours.

To establish the trust:

Use the add-in

Once the add-in is active, you can easily initiate a signature process for any Word or PowerPoint file, as if you were doing it through Adobe Acrobat Sign by logging in and uploading the file.

• Signature functions: For documents in Word or PowerPoint, the current file is automatically attached when you initiate a signature process. You also have the option to add more files as needed.
• Agreement status: The Agreement Status feature displays recent agreements along with helpful links for managing them based on their current status.

Note that:

• If you're using the desktop application (not online), remember to save the file at least once before you can sign or send it.
• You may be prompted to reauthenticate if you're inactive for an hour or if you've continuously used the add-in for 24 hours.

Fill and sign documents

The Fill and Sign feature lets you fill in a document and add your signature. You can't include other recipients in this process.

Once you've added your signature, the document is saved in your Adobe Acrobat Sign account. You can view it, save it as a PDF, or share it.

Send for signature

To send agreements for signature:

Check agreement status

The Agreement Status option displays the last ten agreements (based on last update date) that are still open and waiting for some action. This includes drafts that are waiting for authoring, agreements waiting for your signature, and agreements waiting for some other recipient.

Each listed agreement can be expanded to expose the most recent event posted for that agreement, indicating where in the signature process the agreement is.

• The three most recent events logged against the agreement are listed (with the most recent on top), such as Created, Viewed, or Signed. 
• Select View Agreement within the agreement information to view the document in its current state.
• Documents waiting for your signature display a Sign Agreement link that opens a new window containing the document ready to sign
• At the bottom of the events list is a Track All Agreements link that opens a windowed instance of the Manage page from the application. From the Manage page, the whole history of the account is available.

Add-in Settings

From the lower-right corner of the add-in panel, select  to access the following options: 

• Upgrade - for Trial accounts: This link takes you to the Adobe Acrobat Sign Upgrade page in a new window. There, you can subscribe to Adobe Acrobat Sign on a monthly basis.
• Sign Out - Ending the connection: The add-in remembers the connection between your Outlook and Adobe Acrobat Sign accounts, so you don't have to keep authenticating.
  However, if you use multiple Adobe Acrobat Sign accounts, you can use the Sign Out function to end the existing trusted connection. To do this, click the gear icon at the lower-right of the add-in panel, and select "Sign Out" from the menu that pops up.
• Help: Find a link to this guide and any other information related to the add-in.
• About: Clicking this will show a brief drop-down list with information about the add-in.
• Privacy policy: It directs you to the Adobe privacy policy.

Enable users to consent to applications (for admins)

The Office 365 Admin must allow users to consent to use applications using the following steps:

Install at the tenant level (for admins)

Installing at the tenant level allows the admin to expose the add-in by default, saving the users the installation steps, and ensuring that all users have smooth access. 

To install at the tenant level: 

Common questions