Google Workspace launches open beta for eSignature feature in Google Docs and Drive

Google Workspace has launched an open beta for its eSignature feature in Google Docs and Google Drive. The new feature is aimed at aiding solopreneurs and small businesses by streamlining the process of gathering and tracking digital signatures within documents, thus eliminating the need for traditional methods like printing, signing, scanning, and emailing documents.

The eSignature feature can be incorporated directly into Google Docs, allowing users to request and insert signatures into contracts within the document. Upcoming improvements to the feature will include an audit trail report for tracking signatures, support for multiple signers, the ability to send documents to non-Google Workspace users, and obtaining electronic signatures in PDFs.

This introduction of eSignature capabilities by Google is in line with similar features rolled out by Box and Dropbox. The feature will be provided to individual Workspace users at no extra cost during a 15-day rollout period, and group users can participate in the beta if their Workspace administrators apply for access. Google Workspace admins can join the beta through a form, while Workspace Individual subscribers can access the Help Center for details on signature requests and using eSignature to sign documents.