check before: 2025-09-01
Product:
Entra, Microsoft 365 admin center, SharePoint
Platform:
Online, Web, World tenant
Status:
In development
Change type:
New feature, User impact, Admin impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
SharePoint Online will automatically tag electronically signed documents as “Signed” and add optional metadata columns for eSignature status and provider. This feature, available to tenants with eSignature enabled, rolls out from late September to November 2025, improving compliance and document management.
Details:
Introduction
We're introducing smart tagging for electronically signed documents in SharePoint Online. When a document is uploaded and identified as electronically signed, it will automatically be tagged as "Signed." This enhancement also applies retroactively- existing e-signed files will be updated with the appropriate tags.
To improve visibility and control, two optional metadata columns will be available in document libraries:
Electronically Signed - Indicates whether a document has been e-signed.
Signature Provider - Displays the service used for the e-signature.
This feature is available exclusively to tenants with eSignature enabled, helping streamline compliance tracking and document management.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 500873.
When this will happen
General Availability (Worldwide): Rollout will begin in late September 2025 and is expected to complete by late November 2025.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability
Created:
2025-08-28
updated:
2025-08-28
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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summary for non-techies**
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Direct effects for Operations**
Automatic Tagging of Documents
Documents will be automatically tagged as 'Signed' upon upload, which may lead to confusion if users are not aware of this change, potentially causing misinterpretation of document status.
- roles: End Users, Compliance Officers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=500873
Metadata Changes
The introduction of new metadata columns may overwhelm users who are not familiar with the new tagging system, leading to difficulties in document management and retrieval.
- roles: End Users, Document Managers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=500873
Impact on Existing Documents
Existing e-signed documents will be retroactively updated with new metadata, which could disrupt workflows if users rely on previous document statuses.
- roles: End Users, IT Support Staff
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=500873
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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Data Protection**
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IT Security**
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Hypothetical Work Council Statement**
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DPIA Draft**
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explanation for non-techies**
Imagine you have a library where you keep all your important documents. Some of these documents have special stamps that indicate they've been officially approved or signed. Now, let's say you have a smart librarian who can automatically recognize these stamps and organize the documents accordingly, without you having to lift a finger. This is similar to what SharePoint Online is doing with its new feature for electronically signed documents.
When you upload a document that has been electronically signed, SharePoint will automatically tag it as "Signed." This is like the smart librarian instantly recognizing the special stamp on your document. It will also go back and update any existing documents that were signed in the past, ensuring that your entire library is up-to-date.
To make things even more organized, SharePoint will add two optional columns to your document library. One column will tell you if a document has been electronically signed, and the other will show which service was used to sign it, like Adobe or DocuSign. Think of these columns as extra labels on your document shelves, making it easier to find what you need.
This feature is available to those who have enabled eSignature in their Microsoft 365 settings. Once it's turned on, the tagging happens automatically across all your SharePoint sites, simplifying how you manage and track compliance. It's like having a system that automatically updates your library catalog every time a new document is added or an old one is updated.
To get ready for this change, you'll need to enable eSignature in your Microsoft 365 admin center and choose your preferred eSignature provider. After that, the smart tagging will take care of itself, just like the librarian who knows exactly where to place each document without needing your input. This change also means that your documents will have new metadata tags, which are like additional notes on each document, indicating their signed status and the signing service used.
In summary, this new feature in SharePoint Online is like having an automated system that keeps your document library organized and up-to-date, ensuring that all electronically signed documents are easily identifiable and properly categorized.
** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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