A steady document signing process is the back bone of any contract-oriented organization. Conventional signing process leaves you with piles of signed documents, difficult to handle and archive. Also, the documents are passed around different departments, either getting lost or eating up too much time delaying the signing process. Online signature is the answer to all these concerns.

Save your time and effort with GroupDocs’ online signature

Say good bye to lost signed documents and tons of paper piling up in your office! Embrace GroupDocs Signature, an efficient online signature service, to streamline your entire signing process. GroupDocs’ online signature service lets you easily prepare & send documents to signers, and collect signatures online.

Get peace of mind by tracking the signing process

Track the document signing process from a centralized location. As soon as the documents are signed, they are automatically archived and available for retrieval when required. This completely avoids the chance of documents getting lost in mountains of signed contracts. In addition, there is no need to follow up your signers regularly through phone calls or emails. You can simply set a reminder while creating a new envelope (while preparing the document for signature) so that the signers get notifications automatically till the reminder expires.

Efficient work flow walks you through the entire process

The work flow for preparing the documents for signing and sending it is so simple that even novice people can do it without the help of any documentation. GroupDocs Signature walks you through the entire process step by step. The workflow is designed in such a way that you go to the next step only after finishing the present one. This will make sure that you perform the process correctly.

Procedure for preparing and sending a document for online signature

Now, lets see the simple steps for preparing a document for e-signature and sending them out to collect signatures:

1. Go to Signature dashboard and start creating a new envelope.
   

2. Step 1 - Choose a File:

   Here you have three options to choose a file. Use one of them to select your preferred document:

   1. Drag and drop the file in the DROP FILES HERE area.
   2. Use the Upload button and select a file from your computer.
   3. Use the Add from Library button to select a file from your GroupDocs repository.
      

3. Step 2 - Add Recipients:

   • Add your signers or recipients here.
     

4. Step 3 - Add Info (optional):

   • Add more details to the envelope. You can also add a watermark to your documents. This step is optional.
     

5. Step 4 - Add Reminders (optional):

   • Add reminder, deadline and document expiry in this step. This too is optional.
     

6. Step 5 - Add Fields:

   • Drag and drop fields to the required location on the uploaded document.
     

7. Step 6 - Summary (optional):

   • Review the envelope one final time and send the document to the signer(s).
     
   • The signers can then easily sign documents online just using a browser. Type, draw, or upload the signature.
     

All related partied are notified as soon as the documents are signed.
Stay tuned for a step-by-step video tutorial on how to prepare and send a document for online signature, it's in the pipeline. So why wait! go green with this efficient e-signature service.

We’ve implemented a few new features as well as fixed some major & minor bugs lately. Let’s have a detailed look:

  GroupDocs Annotation

GroupDocs Annotation is an online document annotation app that lets you easily annotate documents and perform document collaboration simply using your browser. Using GroupDocs’ efficient document annotation app, you can annotate and collaborate on Word, PDF, or Excel documents, just to name a few.

Features Implemented

• Major
• [ANNOTATION-194] Annotation v.2. The resizing of Typewriter text fields and Watermarks
• [ANNOTATION-195] Annotation v.2.Text color selection for Typewriter text fields and Watermarks
• [ANNOTATION-196] Embedded application header customization feature
• [ANNOTATION-197] Embedded application toolbar customization
• [ANNOTATION-199] Custom cursors for embedded annotation tools configuration
• [ANNOTATION-182] Full synchronization of Annotation instances
• [ANNOTATION-201] Proper error-handling in embedded applications
• [ANNOTATION-198] Embedded application real-time mode configuration

• Minor
• [ANNOTATION-176] Each new user should have a different default colour
• [ANNOTATION-191] Annotation v.2. New icons and cursors.
• [ANNOTATION-216] Annotation v.2. The annotation icons panel should have the correct scroll position set before it is shown

Bugs fixed

• Critical:
• [ANNOTATION-185] Annotation reply date is incorrect for replies posted by a collaborator
• [ANNOTATION-203] Annotation v.2. The mouse position is set imprecisely on receivers when being broadcasted in the real-time mode
• [ANNOTATION-206] Annotation v.2. Annotation lines remain pushed down after the annotation that pushed them down was deleted
• [ANNOTATION-207] Annotation v.2. Connecting lines for annotations redraw after collapsing the RHS panel, creating a gap while the panel is collapsing
• [ANNOTATION-208] Annotation v.2. Touches don't work on iPhone
• [ANNOTATION-190] Export with annotations is not working
• [ANNOTATION-193] Annotation v.2. Full synchronization does not work on iPhone
• [ANNOTATION-200] Annotation v.1. SignalR gives the error "TypeError: annotationsHub is undefined"
• [ANNOTATION-212] Annotation v.2. Area annotation marker movements are not broadcasted.
• [ANNOTATION-214] Too many thumbnails are loaded initially for documents with many pages
• [ANNOTATION-217] Annotation v.1. Point annotations can't be created
• [ANNOTATION-210] Annotation v.2. Touches don't work on iPhone for the header buttons

• Major:
• [ANNOTATION-204] Annotation v.2. SignalR connection sometimes breaks in the real-time mode
• [ANNOTATION-205] Annotation v.2. Markers and their lines are not redrawn when the browser window is resized
• [ANNOTATION-213] Annotation v.2. Annotation lines remain short after activating an annotation and collapsinbg the RHS panel.
• [ANNOTATION-215] Thumbnail progress spinners hang at the middle of the thumbnails panel
• [ANNOTATION-219] Annotation v.2. Typewriter text field movements are not broadcasted.

• Minor
• [ANNOTATION-147] Typewriter change color doesn't work
• [ANNOTATION-162] Disabled view permission should disable others
• [ANNOTATION-187] Text selections and strikeouts are above typewriter fields (z order)
• [ANNOTATION-188] Annotation v.2. When adding a new annotation, the comments panel should expand, switch to Comments tab, and then focus the comment field
• [ANNOTATION-209] Annotation v.2. Annotation icons in the icons panel scrolling with lags in Chrome
• [ANNOTATION-218] Annotation v.2. Document size is not changed when an annotation is activated and the RHS panel was collapsed

GroupDocs Viewer

GroupDocs Viewer is an efficient online document viewer that lets you view documents online simply using a browser. Since GroupDocs Viewer supports all common and business file formats, it can be used as a PDF viewer, Word viewer, Excel viewer, amongst many others.

Features Implemented

• Minor
• [WEB-337] Embedded application header customization feature

Bugs fixed

• Minor
• [WEB-338] Yes/No buttons position in Viewer tools

 GroupDocs Assembly

GroupDocs Assembly is an efficient document automation and document assembly app that lets you perform document assembly in a jiffy. With GroupDocs Assembly, you can prepare a document for document assembly by adding questionnaires to it and then send out this document to collect responses. Your customers can then add answers to the questionnaires and perform document assembly easily. Document automation and document assembly using GroupDocs Assembly lets you save your time and effort.

Features Implemented

• Minor
• [DA-141] Output folder and email address options on the settings page
• [DA-143] Generic answer option for single choice questions

Bugs fixed

• Major:
• [DA-142] Document upload through drag & drop area fails

 GroupDocs Signature

GroupDocs Signature is an efficient digital signature service, which is completely web-based. GroupDocs' easy-to-use digital signature service lets you collect digital signatures with no administrative overhead of printing, envelope stuffing and posting.

Features Implemented

• [SIGN-852] Audit log for envelopes in signature 2
• [SIGN-843] Signature 2: Click on delete icon for field, selects the field
• [SIGN-842] Signature 2: In step 5, allow resizing selected field with Ctrl+arrow key
• [SIGN-841] Signature 2: In step 5, allow switching between fields with tab
• [SIGN-833] Draft envelope deletion in signature 2 envelope dashboard
• [SIGN-832] Signature 2: Forms dashboard
• [SIGN-829] Signature 2: In envelopes dashboard, click on envelope should perform same action as click on the view icon
• [SIGN-828] Signature 2: In envelopes dashboard, when clicking on a recipient, display a popup with embed link for copy
• [SIGN-824] Hide the Signature 2 form the main button, and add a banner in Signature 1 app for trying out the Signature 2
• [SIGN-822] Signature 2: In step 2, completion functionality for quickly selection from the contacts
• [SIGN-803] Signature 2: Templates dashboard
• [SIGN-802] Signature 2: Signatures dashboard
• [SIGN-848] Demo application using .NET signature SDK

Improvements

• [SIGN-846] Log the client IP and display it for each signer in final signed document
• [SIGN-836] Integrate latest design changes in envelope create wizard
• [SIGN-834] Add referrer check for the signature demo

• [SIGN-860] - When envelope has only one document, the envelope.documents.get API method should return the signed pdf not an archive
• [SIGN-898] - Signature 2: Signing screen, add validation for the placed field
• [SIGN-899] - Signature 2: Add sammyjs in the envelope wizard
• [SIGN-907] - Signature 2: Wizard: In the summary step show list of fields per document and recipient
• [SIGN-908] - Signature 2: Apply latest design changes in envelopes dashboard
• [SIGN-909] - Signature 2: Embedded forms signing do not show next marker
• [SIGN-910] - Signature 1: Update the embedded signing screen for forms
• [SIGN-931] - In signing screen, when envelope has more than one recipients, show hint for the fields that do not belong to the signing recipient
• [SIGN-932] - Show visual feedback during envelope signing
• [SIGN-915] - Attach signed documents when send final notification email to all recipients
• [SIGN-837] - Integrate step5 design in the create envelope wizard
• [SIGN-857] - Implement archived envelopes in signature 2
• [SIGN-861] - Implement create form wizard in signature 2
• [SIGN-877] - Implement signature 2 sign screen
• [SIGN-880] - Implement signature 2 archived forms view
• [SIGN-887] - Signature 2 Forms: Apply latest design changes in forms dashboard and archived forms
• [SIGN-862] - Integrate step1 in create form wizard
• [SIGN-863] - Integrate step2 in create form wizard
• [SIGN-875] - Integrate step 3 in create form wizard
• [SIGN-878] - Integrate step 4 in create form wizard
• [SIGN-879] - Integrate step 5 in create form wizard
• [SIGN-883] - Watermark settings in step 2
• [SIGN-896] - Signature 1 embedded signing changes
• [SIGN-900] - Signature 2: Embedded forms signing
• [SIGN-918] - Ensure that in signature all images for a documents are loaded from the S3 storage if set so

Bugs fixed

• [SIGN-853] When envelope is signed from embeddable view, the notification to callback url is not sent
• [SIGN-845] Signature 2: Placeholder of the search inputs in contacts are not visible
• [SIGN-844] Signature 2: In envelope wizard the use can't return to previous step if the current step is not valid
• [SIGN-838] With direct URL the user can go to the create envelop wizard even for envelopes that are not draft
• [SIGN-820] SignalR issues in signature, comparison, conversion
• [SIGN-821] Fix buttons tooltips in signature 2 step 1
• [SIGN-823] Fix buttons tooltips in signature 2 wizard step 2 for edit, delete recipient

• [SIGN-859] - If user is logged in and visit the embed signature - he can't see the fields in the document and can't sign
• [SIGN-865] - Add regex validation dropdown in field settings area in signature 2
• [SIGN-866] - Add default values for font name, font size, font color on add envelope field
• [SIGN-867] - Send email notifications in signature do not respect the IsAlertsEnabled settings of the user account
• [SIGN-868] - Signature 2 Wizard: Step2: While editing an recipient, hide the add recipient area as well as edited recipient row
• [SIGN-869] - Make all validation messages dynamic (show/hide while user typing)
• [SIGN-870] - Signature2 Wizard: Step 3 can continue with empty envelope name
• [SIGN-871] - Signature 2 Wizard: Step 5: No validation for the field name.
• [SIGN-872] - Signature 2 Wizard: Step 5: Implement Reset Fields functionality
• [SIGN-873] - Signature 2 Wizard: Step 5: Move the documents and recipients drop-downs above the fields toolbar
• [SIGN-874] - Signature 2 Wizard: Step 5: If there are no at least one field for each recipient and document do not allow user to go to next step nor to send the envelope
• [SIGN-876] - The signature should not exit the cell on the summary page of the signed document
• [SIGN-881] - Update the signature 1 embed signing
• [SIGN-885] - Signature 1 embedded, click next do not stop on signature and checkbox field
• [SIGN-886] - Signature 2: Forms, load only the data needed for the active tab
• [SIGN-888] - Signature 2: Step 5: Field settings could not be saved
• [SIGN-889] - Signature 2: Step 5: Adding items for drop down field do not work
• [SIGN-890] - Signature 2: Step5: The pressing the tab key should cycle between fields
• [SIGN-891] - Signature 2: Step 5: Esc key press should deactivate selected field and close field settings area.
• [SIGN-892] - Public download signed documents do not return correct response
• [SIGN-893] - Cannot edit signature
• [SIGN-894] - Signature 2. Create form from template doesn't work
• [SIGN-895] - Signature 2: Forms, fields settings doesn't work correctly as well as drop-down list management
• [SIGN-897] - Signature 2: Step 4: Can't reorder selected fields for creating file name
• [SIGN-901] - Signature 2: User should not be able to modify only fields for selected recipient in fields preparation screen in the wizard
• [SIGN-902] - Signature 2: In the wizard the user can go to step "summary" without any fields set
• [SIGN-903] - Signature 2: In the fields step there is a problem with the shift+tab switching of the fields
• [SIGN-904] - Signature 2: Fields step: The date field do not have format settings
• [SIGN-905] - Signature 2: Fields step: Exclude date formats from the format settings for single and multi-line fields
• [SIGN-906] - Signature 2: Fields step: Tab and Shift+Tab should cycle only between fields for the selected recipient
• [SIGN-911] - Signature 2: Forms: In embedded signing, the ordering of the fields is not correct
• [SIGN-912] - Signature 2: Forms: Clicking on the form row in the dashboard should perform the default action
• [SIGN-913] - Signature 2: Forms: In dashboard, add "Download all" action for the completed forms
• [SIGN-914] - Forms: Embedded signing, do not load data for the filled fields on reload
• [SIGN-916] - Signature 2: Forms: In the wizard, creating new field location doesn't work
• [SIGN-917] - Signature 2: Forms: In step 3 in the wizard, the tab/shift+tab do not work correctly
• [SIGN-920] - Signature 2: Envelope wizard step1, sometimes do not show documents even if the envelope has documents
• [SIGN-921] - Loading signature documents from amazon s3 storage
• [SIGN-922] - Signature 2: Do not show error message if something went wrong during the API call
• [SIGN-923] - Signature 2: In sign envelope screen, when start entering data for a field, the whole field move down few pixels
• [SIGN-924] - Signature 2: Tab, Shift+ Tab should move between fields
• [SIGN-925] - Signature 2: Signing screen, if document has more than one page, on scrolling down the pages after fist page didn't load
• [SIGN-926] - Signature 2: In sign envelope screen, the thumbnails side bar do not work
• [SIGN-928] - Adding fields for a user with role CC should not be possible
• [SIGN-930] - Signature 2: When performing Save as draft, the owner of the envelope is added
• [SIGN-933] - Signature 1: Switching recipient role in the envelope preparation wizard doesn't work
• [SIGN-934] - Envelope ModifyFieldLocation Api method doesn't work
• [SIGN-936] - Select all checkbox in signature 2 dashboards (envelopes, forms, archived forms) doesn't work correctly
• [SIGN-937] - Signature 2: Envelope wizard step2: Add from contacts do not show any contacts in the popup

 GroupDocs Comparison

GroupDocs Comparison is an online document comparison app that allows you to easily compare documents online. This way, you can monitor changes, consolidate different document versions and confirm that your documents are up to date. GroupDocs Comparison combines the two documents and highlights the difference in redline.

Features Implemented

• [DOCOMPARE-200] Embeddable comparison result
• [DOCOMPARE-195] Comparison 2 viewer
• [DOCOMPARE-197] Comparison 2: User workflow changes, add ability to start new comparison
• [DOCOMPARE-206] Embed button in comparison 2

Bugs fixed

• [DOCOMPARE-194][DOCOMPARE-201] Comparison of two doc file fails
• [DOCOMPARE-208] Fixing issues in comparison 2 embed link generation and showing
• [DOCOMPARE-205] Can't load the output document after comparison is completed and the UI is blocked
• [DOCOMPARE-204] After first comparison, the GetChanges method is called many times
• [DOCOMPARE-203] Doc files comparison fails when in the source or target has attached template
• [DOCOMPARE-202] Doc files comparison fails when there are embed images and ole objects
• [DOCOMPARE-196] Download result do not work in comparison 2

  Platform

Features Implemented

• Major
• [CORE-823] Pricing plans update
• [CORE-834] Document split and view commands for the Conversion service

• Minor
• [CORE-830] Output folder and email address job options

Bugs fixed

• Minor
• [CORE-805] -1 Users
• [CORE-822] Google Cloud redirect is interrupted after submitting popup
• [CORE-654] Thumbnail for DOC file on share screen

  Dashboard

Bugs fixed

• Critical:
• [CORE-828] File move/copy operations do not work on the dashboard

• Minor
• [CORE-800] File/folder context menu is visible through delete confirm dialog

  API

Features Implemented

• [CORE-818] File storage synchronization service integration
• [CORE-824] Migration to the latest Banckle Billing platform
• [CORE-835] Google Cloud. Cannot create folder
• [CORE-826] Subscription plan purchase response extension

• [SIGN-825] Webhook notification for signature API
• [SIGN-847] Create envelope from a document in the API
• [SIGN-826][SIGN-851] Changes in envelope.send method
• [SIGN-850] Changes in envelope.recipient resource
• [SIGN-827] Send webhook notification when all recipients signed the envelope

Bugs fixed

• [CORE-861] Number of users is not updated for Enterprise subscriptions
• [CORE-872] Free space is improperly calculated on documents upload
• [CORE-634] Document viewing service concurrency problem
• [CORE-808] GetQuestionnaireExecutions returns null in questionnaire_guid
• [CORE-809] GetQuestionnaires always returns empty questionnaires array
• [CORE-810] UpdateQuestionnaireExecution doesn't update executive/approver/owner
• [CORE-812] Typo in Swagger documentation for AddQuestionnaireCollector
• [CORE-814] UpdateQuestionnaireMetadata returns 0 in questionnaire_id
• [CORE-815] UpdateQuestionnaireMetadata doesn't actually update metadata
• [CORE-825] The checkDocumentOwnership flag allows an API user to convert files indefinitely
• [CORE-827] Document viewing fails when splitting is not possible
• [CORE-836] Google Cloud. Folder is shown like file
• [CORE-829] Document upload fails for the root folder

Your support and feedback are important for us. Talk to us through our official feedback forum or Live Chat support. Stay tuned for our blog and newsletter, which brings you all enhancements happening in GroupDocs.

Today we will find out how to use GroupDocs' Ruby SDK. We will create a GroupDocs Signature envelope sample with the Sinatra framework. GroupDocs Signature envelopes are used to prepare documents for digital signature and managing the signature process.

Setting Up

First, create the application folders structure:

• your_app/public – for CSS files.
• your_app/samples – for sample files.
• your_app/views – for view files, we will use Haml for these.

Also we need to create a Gemfile in our project's root directory with the following content: https://gist.github.com/averjr/4739176

Writing the Application

Lets start our application. Create app.rb file with following content: https://gist.github.com/averjr/4739208

• Lines 1-3 requires the Sinatra framework, GroupDocs SDK and haml for our views.
• Lines 5-7 creates our first root with a view named index.haml. By default, Sinatra looks for view files in views directory.
• Line 13 includes all Ruby files from the samples directory.

Now lets work on the views. Create a parent layout file called layout.haml.

https://gist.github.com/averjr/a0313da572e3141811f3

It is really easy to work with HTML using Haml.
Find out more about Haml.
Here's anonline tool for converting HTML to Haml.
Note that in Haml, you don't have to close tags and indents are very important!

“= yield” is where child templates are included.

In index.haml you'll see an h1 header, div container and ul list with one list element that links to our envelope sample: https://gist.github.com/averjr/c23ab36e0b8e3415dc8e

You can add any HTML attribute like this: {:your_attribute => “your attribute value”}.

The Starting Point

Before creating the envelope sample, lets look at what we have.

To avoid problems with starting the application, use rvm. (This article explains how to install rvm.)

Now install a local bundle by typing this command in a terminal, while in the app directory:

If it is installed already, use this command:

And now you could start the application:

In the terminal, you will see something like this:

Terminal - Terminal massages after starting Sinatra server

Open in you browser with the URL http://localhost:4567/ and you will see the following:

Index page - Index page of our app without CSS

Add a little CSS in public/css directory:

https://gist.github.com/averjr/4752864

Re-load the page and you will see:

Index page with CSS - After adding CSS the page looks like this

Creating the Envelope Example

Lets create envelope_sample.haml in your views directory with the following content:https://gist.github.com/averjr/4739266

We have created a form that sends the ClientID, PrivateKey and the file to be signed.

Now write the Ruby code that handles the get and post request as the file envelope-sample.rb in samples directory: https://gist.github.com/averjr/4739271

We have created one GET and one POST request.

Extending the POST Request

Lets extend post request and use the GroupDocs API:

1. Configuring GroupDocs SDK.

2. Upload document.

3. Create envelope.

4. Add document to envelope.

5. Update document object after it's created.

6. Add new recipient to envelope.

7. Update recipient object after it's created.

8 (Optional).  By default, fields for signing are created automatically, but you can add fields manually.

9. Send envelope with callback URL.

10. Construct embedded signature URL for views.

11. Add local vars for the view.

12. Add code for handling exeptions.

Handling a Callback

Lets handle the callback:

1. First, wait for callback and create a text file with parameters that the server sent to us:

2. We can also wait for a callback and download the signed envelope as ZIP file.

3. Create route to check if callback was sent:

Check the file that was created in /envelope-sample/sign

The Complete Code

The final code of the sample looks like this: https://gist.github.com/averjr/4739332

Recently, we introduced the new GroupDocs Signature dashboard, which helps you to quickly execute your e-signature process. Use this intuitive dashboard to sign documents online using our secured digital signatures. Use our e-signature service to collect signatures without the administrative overhead of printing, stuffing envelops and posting. Simply email documents to your signers and wait for them to sign. GroupDocs Signature even reminds signers if they forget to sign so that you can focus on other things.

The current drag and drop functionality of GroupDocs Signature dashboard lets you upload documents quickly and send them to be signed, and then tracks the signing process. It's an easy process. We've added a few features that makes it even easier.

Read More

Last week we posted articles on what you need from a digital document signature service and how to use GroupDocs Signature to sign a document. Hopefully, that was useful and you've got an idea of what you should be looking for when looking for a digital signature application.

What we didn't discuss in any great depth was why you want to move use digital signatures - online signatures, eSignatures, electronic signatures - in the first place.

Read More

How often do you need to send a document to someone and get them to sign it? I have a friend who is a freelance writer. He works with four or five clients at a time and is constantly finding new clients to work with. There are non-disclosure agreements to be signed, estimates and contracts. Most of the documents he deals with are printed out and sent somewhere for someone to sign. Paper. Postage. Envelops. There is a better way.

Digital signatures - electronic signatures, online document signatures or eSignatures - remove paper from the interaction but keeps the official and binding aspects of a signature.

Read More

GroupDocs Signature is an application for digitally signing documents. Why do you want something like that? It allows you to collect signatures through email and collect them all in one place online. It's secure, fast and easy. Yes, it also cuts down on paper and lets you move a step closer to a paperless office.

This post walks you through how to use GroupDocs Signature to collect electronic signatures step by step. This article doesn't cover all the options in the app, just the bare bones of what you need to do to select a document and ask a signer to sign it. You can send documents that you have already stored with GroupDocs, or you can upload an entirely new document. Here, I'll show you how start by uploading a document.

Read More