Best Practice #1

Here's a new series of posts about best practices done in various industries that we can all apply and look more professional.

Best practice number 1: put signature lines at the side of the document. This is something I picked up from a reputable developer.

Why do this?

In the Philippines, signatories are required to sign all pages of legal documents. This is to ensure that no page was inserted/replaced.

On signing day, 90% of the time, signatories ask if they should sign all pages and where in the document they should sign (left/right margin). Moreover, after the signing, if there are missing signatures, the broker tries to identify whose signature is missing by matching each one to the signature page–which takes a few minutes.

Having signature lines on the side of the document would solve these problems.

How do you do this in Word?

1. Increase the margin of the document.

2. Insert a textbox for each signatory.

3. Rotate the textbox.

4. Cut the textbox.

5. Open the header/footer window by double-clicking the top of the document (i.e., margin).

6. Paste the textbox (so the textbox shows on all pages of the document).

7. On the signature page, insert a white shape to cover the textbox (so signatories don't have to sign twice on the signature page).

Now, your documentation looks more professional. 👍🏻