What are the different fields in an e-sign request?

What is the difference between “Date” and “Date Signed”? How can the date of signature be filled automatically rather than the signer having to fill it manually?

The different fields available for use in an e-sign request are as follows.

Signature

This field allows the signer to type, mouse-draw, or finger draw (using a touch screen device, or via scanning a QR code from their phone) their signature. Use this field where you want the recipient to sign the document.

An e-sign request need not always contain a signature field. For instance, if you are sending a form to be filled out with some information (e.g. using text fields), you may not need the signature field.

Initials

The Initials field allows the signer to enter their initials. Similar to the signature field, the signer may type, mouse-draw, or finger-draw their initials.

File request

Request the signer to upload a file, such as a photo of a voided check, while signing.

Date Signed

This refers to the signature date, and is automatically filled when the signer submits the e-sign request after reviewing and completing all other types of fields. The e-sign request sender may specify the format for this field using these steps.

This field helps you get the date of the signature filled while avoiding any mistakes the signer may make in setting the correct date. You may omit using this field because the audit trails page have the detailed information regarding when the document was signed. However, since the actual document may contain a space for the date of signing, this field helps the document look visually more complete.

Date

The date field helps fill in any dates that your document needs other than the date of signature. For instance, you may have a service start date, contract end date, or project milestone dates.

The e-sign request sender may specify the format for the date displayed in this field using these steps.

Text

The text field allows you to have the signer fill in a single line of any text such as name, business name, job title, street address, email address, renewal month name, or other text information.

Multiple lines: If you need the signer to fill in some information across multiple lines, such as an address that needs a first line, a second line, a third line for the city, and possibly a fourth line for the country, then simply use multiple text fields, one for each line.

Checkbox

This field is intended to be used when you want the signer to check a box (mark it as selected) or leave it unfilled (not selected).

You may use this field to let the signer select certain options in a contract. For instance, in a service agreement, the signer may check the boxes next to certain service addons that you offer.

If you have multiple checkboxes, the user may select multiple of those. The checkbox field is not intended for situations where the user must select one and only one option out of multiple options offered.

Radio

This field is similar to a checkbox, however, the key difference is that the signer can only select one option. For example, on certain forms, you could add radio buttons for “I agree to…” and “I do not agree to…”, so that the signer can only select one of those options.

Annotation

This field is for the e-sign request sender to add some text or annotation to the e-sign request document before sending the request. This field will NOT be filled in by the signer. Instead, any value that the sender fills in will be displayed to all signers when they review and fill in the e-sign request. The inserted text will also be shown in the final signed file generated after the e-sign request has been completed.

You may use this field to add some custom text that changes each time you use an otherwise standard file. For instance, you may have an onboarding letter which is the same for all clients but you simply add the name of the client, or the customer number assigned to them in your system, using the “Insert Text” field before you send the request.