Adding and Configuring the Signature Column

Instructions

Step 1: Add Signature Columns to Your List

To demonstrate all three signature types, create three Signature columns in the same list:

1. Manager Approval (Entra ID)
2. Supervisor Signature (Hand-written)
3. Acceptance Confirmation (Declarative)

Steps:

1. Open your SharePoint list
2. Go to → Design → Columns
3. Click Add Column → Signature
4. Name the column
5. Repeat for all three signature types

Step 2: Select Columns to Protect

Each Signature column should protect specific business-critical columns.

For example:

1. Manager Approval (Entra ID)
   • Title
   • Status
2. Supervisor Signature (Hand-written)
   • Completed Date
3. Acceptance Confirmation (Declarative) –
   • Comments

You can use the same or different protected columns depending on the scenario.

Important: If a protected column changes after signing, the signature becomes invalid.

Step 3: Configure All Three Signature Types

Now configure the signature behavior for each column separately.

Entra ID Signature (Manager Approval)

1. Open Manager Approval column settings
2. Columns to sign: Status, Title
3. Set Signature Type = Entra ID
4. Set Always show expanded
5. (Optional) Disable manual name entry
6. Save.         

How it works:

• The user must re-enter their Entra ID (Azure AD) username/password
• Identity is validated at the moment of signing
• Provides the highest level of assurance
• Perfect for approvals that require accountability and audit trails

Hand-written Signature (Supervisor Signature)

1. Open Supervisor Signature column settings
2. Columns to sign: Completed Date
3. Set Signature Type = Hand-written
4. Set Always show expanded
5. Allow manual entry of signer’s name
6. Save.       

How it works:

• Works great on desktop, tablet, or phone
• User types their full name and draws their signature
• Ideal for operational, mobile or column scenarios
• Feels intuitive and natural, like signing on a delivery pad

Declarative Signature (Acceptance Confirmation)

1. Open Acceptance Confirmation column settings
2. Columns to sign: Comments
3. Set Signature Type = Declarative
4. Set Always show expanded
5. Save.               

How it works:

• User simply confirms by checking the signature box
• The logged-in user's name is used automatically
• Great for low-risk acknowledgments or “I agree” statements

Step 4: Add All Three Signature Columns to the Form

1. Go to Form Designer
2. Drag the three Signature columns onto the form
3. Save and publish

Your form now demonstrates all three signature types side-by-side.

Step 5: Test All Three Signature Types

Test Entra ID

• Open the form → sign as Manager
• Enter Entra ID credentials
• Save the item
• Modify a protected column → signature becomes invalid

Test Hand-written

• Open the form → sign as Supervisor
• Draw with mouse or finger
• Type name
• Save
• Edit protected column → signature invalidates

Test Declarative

• Simply click “Sign”
• System uses logged-in user’s identity