E-Signature: Complete Guide
Send documents for electronic signature directly from TypeFlow. Your signers receive an email with a secure link to sign, and you get back a legally compliant signed PDF.
Overview
TypeFlow's e-signature feature allows you to:
- Send documents for signature via email or shareable link
- Support multiple signers with sequential or parallel signing
- Collect different field types: signature, text, date, checkbox
- Track signing progress in real-time
- Receive legally compliant PDFs with a Certificate of Completion
Setting Up E-Signature
Step 1: Open E-Signature Settings
- Open your flow in TypeFlow
- Click the E-Signature tab in the left sidebar
- Toggle Enable E-Signature to ON
Step 2: Configure Basic Settings
| Setting | Description | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Signing Mode | How signers receive and complete the document | Parallel: All signers can sign at the same time / Sequential: Signers must sign in order |
| Expiration | How long signing links remain valid | 1-90 days (default: 30 days) |
| Delivery Method | How signers receive their signing link | Email: Automatic email sent / Link only: URL saved to your database / Both: Email + URL saved |
Adding Signature Fields to Your Template
In your document template (Google Doc or HTML), add placeholders where you want signature fields to appear.
Placeholder Format
{{e-signature.TYPE_SIGNERNUMBER_OPTIONALNAME}}
Available Field Types
| Type | Placeholder Example | What the Signer Sees |
|---|---|---|
| Signature | {{e-signature.signature_1}} | Draw or type their signature |
| Text | {{e-signature.text_1_name}} | Text input field |
| Date | {{e-signature.date_1}} | Date picker |
| Checkbox | {{e-signature.checkbox_1_agree}} | Checkbox to confirm |
Example: Contract with 2 Signers
CLIENT SIGNATURE
Signature: {{e-signature.signature_1}}
Full Name: {{e-signature.text_1_name}}
Date: {{e-signature.date_1}}
---
COMPANY SIGNATURE
Signature: {{e-signature.signature_2}}
Authorized By: {{e-signature.text_2_name}}
Date: {{e-signature.date_2}}
Tips for Placing Fields
- Place each placeholder on its own line
- Avoid putting placeholders inside tables (can cause positioning issues)
- Use descriptive names:
{{e-signature.text_1_address}}is clearer than{{e-signature.text_1}}
Configuring Signers
In the E-Signature tab, add one or more signers.
Signer Email Options
| Option | Use When |
|---|---|
| Static Email | The signer is always the same person (e.g., your company representative) |
| From Database Field | The signer varies per record (e.g., customer email from Airtable/Softr) |
Signer Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Display name shown in emails and on the signing page |
| Order | Signing order (only matters for Sequential mode) |
| Signing URL Field | (Optional) Database field to store the signing URL |
Storing Signing URLs
If you configure a Signing URL Field, TypeFlow will save each signer's unique URL to your database. This is useful for:
- Manually sharing the link if the email doesn't arrive
- Tracking which documents are pending signature
- Building custom dashboards
Signer Experience
Here's what your signers see when they click their signing link.
1. Document View
The signer sees the full PDF with highlighted fields to complete.
2. Completing Fields
Click any highlighted field to open a modal:
| Field Type | Signer Action |
|---|---|
| Signature | Draw with mouse/finger OR type their name |
| Text | Enter text in input field |
| Date | Select from date picker |
| Checkbox | Check the confirmation box |
3. Progress Tracking
A sidebar shows:
- Fields already completed (green checkmark)
- Fields still pending
- Overall progress
4. Complete Signing
Once all fields are filled:
- Click "Complete Signing"
- See confirmation screen
- Option to download the document
Mobile Support
The signing page is fully responsive. Signers can:
- View documents on any device
- Draw signatures with their finger on mobile/tablet
- Pinch to zoom on the PDF
After Signing is Complete
When all signers have signed:
1. Final PDF Generated
- All signatures and field values embedded in the PDF
- Certificate of Completion page added
- SHA-256 hash calculated for document integrity
2. Database Updated
- Signed PDF uploaded to your specified attachment field
- Field values (text, date, checkbox) mapped to your database fields
3. Notifications Sent
- All signers receive a completion email with the signed PDF attached
4. Webhooks Triggered
If configured, a webhook fires with:
- Document name and URL
- Signer details
- All field values
Certificate of Completion
Every signed document includes a Certificate of Completion page with:
| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Document Info | Name, ID, creation and completion dates |
| Signer Details | For each signer: signature image, name, email, timestamp |
| Audit Trail | IP address, location, browser, time spent viewing |
| Legal Statement | Compliance with ESIGN Act, UETA, eIDAS |
| Document Hash | SHA-256 hash for integrity verification |
This certificate provides legal evidence that the document was signed electronically.
Test Mode
Before going live, test your e-signature flow.
How to Use Test Mode
- Click "Test" in the flow builder (instead of triggering a real automation)
- A test document is generated
- Signing works normally, but:
- An orange "TEST MODE" banner appears
- No Certificate of Completion is generated
- The document is not legally binding
Test to Production
If you test a document, then regenerate it in production mode (same record):
- The same signing URL remains valid
- Test mode banner disappears
- Certificate will be generated upon completion
FAQ
Can signers sign on mobile?
Yes! The signing page is fully responsive. Signers can draw signatures with their finger on any mobile device or tablet.
What if a signer doesn't receive the email?
Check the spam folder. You can also copy the signing URL from your database (if configured) and send it manually.
Can I update the document after sending?
Yes. Regenerate the document for the same record. Signers keep their same URL but will see the updated document and need to re-sign.
What happens if a signer declines?
The entire session is marked as declined. All signers are notified, and no one can sign further.
How long are signing links valid?
Default is 30 days. Configure this in E-Signature settings (1-90 days).
Is this legally binding?
Yes. TypeFlow e-signatures comply with:
- US: ESIGN Act, UETA
- EU: eIDAS Regulation (Simple Electronic Signature)
Can I have multiple signature flows for the same record?
Yes. Each flow creates a separate signature session. For example, you can have a "Sales Contract" flow and an "NDA" flow for the same client.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| "Link expired" | Regenerate the document or increase expiration days in settings |
| "Not your turn" | Previous signer must complete first (Sequential mode only) |
| Signature not appearing in final PDF | Ensure placeholder is on its own line, not inside a table |
| Email not received | Check spam folder, verify email address is correct |
| Wrong date/time in certificate | This is captured from the signer's browser timezone - it's correct for them |
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Need More Help?
- Email: support@typeflow.us
- Chat: Click the chat icon in the app
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