Digitally signing a Word document is the process of including an electronic signature in a Word document to authenticate its contents. This signature serves as a proof of identity and serves as a guarantee that the contents of the document remain unaltered. It is much quicker and more secure than handwriting a signature onto a paper document, because it requires fewer steps and therefore creates less room for error or error-prone mistakes. Digitally signing a Word document also ensures that everyone involved in the transaction can have confidence that it is legitimate and trustworthy.