How to Tell If a Document Has Been Digitally Signed

By Kayla Lowe

Digital signatures are used to authenticate digital information such as documents. They assure the viewer of the document that the information it contains is authentic and that the contents have not been modified since it was digitally signed. Such signatures also indicate the origin of the document. It's relatively simple to tell if a document has been digitally signed.

Open the document in question.

Locate the bar directly beneath the horizontal menu toolbar.

Look for a red medal or ribbonlike icon. This icon indicates that the document has been digitally signed.

×