Back to Docusign.com
Do you need to ensure your documents are signed in a specific order but aren’t sure how to set it up efficiently?
Setting the correct sequence is key to keeping your workflow smooth and ensuring every signer is in the right place at the right time.
That’s where the Signing Order feature comes in! By customizing the signing order, you can control the flow of signatures—whether sequentially, in parallel, or a mix of both. This simple yet powerful tool helps you streamline document completion, avoid delays, and ensure compliance.
Take a look at this Trainer Tip video in which Sr. Product Trainer Markus Duesterhoeft shows you how to set up a signing order, adjust recipient positions, and leverage the Signing Order Diagram.
Key Take-aways:
- Parallel Signing (Default Setting): By default, all recipients receive the document simultaneously and can sign in any order. The envelope is completed once all required signers have finished.
- Enable Signing Order: In the ‘Prepare Envelope’ view, turn on ‘Set signing order’.
- Arrange Recipients: Add signers in the desired order before enabling signing order to avoid rearranging them later.
- Adjusting Sequential Signing Order: Either use drag handles to move recipients into the correct position or manually enter numbers for each recipient. The numbering doesn’t need to be consecutive (e.g., 1, 2, 4 is fine).
- Mixing Both: Combine sequential and parallel signing for flexible workflows. Recipients signing in sequence should have unique numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3), while those signing in parallel can share the same number (e.g., 1, 2, 2, 3).
- View the Signing Order Diagram: Click ‘View’ next to ‘Set Signing Order’ to see the recipient flow at a glance—perfect for spotting any issues before you hit Send.
- Tracking Progress: Use the ‘Signing Order’ tab in the sent envelope to monitor recipient status.
Remember, with sequential signing, if someone delays, others have to wait—so for urgent documents, consider parallel signing. And if you make a mistake or forget to enable a signing order, don’t worry! Use the correction tool to fix the order or enable Signing Order on a sent envelope.
Additional Resources:
For further information about the Signing Order feature and how to view the Order Diagram, check out the following article: Set a Signing Order
We also have instructor-led courses on many other topics. Please visit our live training calendar and register for a course today!
Continue the Conversation
How have you or your team used the set signing order feature? Do you find the Signing Order Diagram helpful? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below.
