How to use DocuSign "Date Signed" tab with custom date formatting?

Understanding DocuSign’s Date Signed Feature in Business Workflows

In the fast-paced world of digital agreements, DocuSign has become a staple for businesses streamlining contract processes. The “Date Signed” tab within DocuSign’s eSignature platform plays a crucial role in documenting when agreements are executed, providing a timestamp that’s essential for legal and audit purposes. This feature automatically captures the exact moment a signer completes their action, but customizing its format can enhance readability and compliance in professional settings. From a business perspective, mastering this tool ensures consistency across documents, reducing errors in reporting and improving operational efficiency.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Date Signed Tab

To effectively utilize the Date Signed tab in DocuSign, start by preparing your document. Log into your DocuSign account and upload the file you wish to send for signature—whether it’s a PDF contract, agreement, or form. Once uploaded, enter the authoring mode by selecting “Prepare” from the document options. This interface allows you to place signature fields, including the Date Signed field, on the document.

First, identify where the date needs to appear. Click on the “Fields” panel on the right side of the screen. Under the “Signature” category, locate the “Date Signed” field—it’s represented by a calendar icon. Drag and drop this field onto the desired location in your document, such as near the signature line or in a dedicated metadata section. Assign it to the appropriate signer by selecting their role from the dropdown menu (e.g., Signer 1 or a custom recipient). DocuSign will automatically populate this field with the server’s timestamp when the signer completes their action, ensuring accuracy and tamper-proof recording.

For multi-signer documents, repeat the process for each relevant party. The Date Signed field is signer-specific, meaning each individual gets their own timestamp based on when they sign. This is particularly useful in sequential workflows, like approvals in procurement or HR onboarding, where timing matters for compliance tracking. Once fields are placed, review the document preview to confirm visibility and positioning. Save and send the envelope—DocuSign’s term for the signing package—via email, SMS, or a shared link.

Monitoring the Date Signed tab post-sending is straightforward. Access the “Manage” tab in your DocuSign dashboard to track envelope status. When a signer completes their part, the date appears in the activity log and on the final signed PDF. You can download the document to verify the timestamp, which is embedded as a certified entry, bolstering its evidentiary value in disputes.

Customizing Date Formatting for the Date Signed Tab

Custom date formatting elevates the Date Signed tab from a basic timestamp to a tailored element that aligns with your business’s regional or stylistic preferences. By default, DocuSign uses a standard format like MM/DD/YYYY, but you can adjust it to match international standards, such as DD/MM/YYYY for European markets or including time zones for global teams.

To customize, navigate to the field properties after placing the Date Signed field. Right-click the field or select it and click the gear icon for settings. In the “Format” section, choose from predefined options or input a custom pattern using DocuSign’s syntax, similar to programming date libraries. For instance, enter “dd MMMM yyyy” for a readable format like “15 October 2025,” or add time with “dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm” for “15/10/2025 14:30.” This ensures the date renders consistently on the signed document, avoiding confusion in cross-border transactions.

Consider business implications: Custom formatting aids in automated reporting, where exported data from DocuSign integrates with CRM systems like Salesforce. If your workflow involves high-volume signing, test the format across devices—mobile signers might see slight variations, so opt for universal patterns. For advanced users, leverage DocuSign’s API to enforce formatting programmatically, ideal for integrations in enterprise environments. Always preview the document after formatting to confirm it displays correctly for all signers.

Limitations exist; DocuSign doesn’t support dynamic calculations (e.g., adding days post-signing) in the base field, but you can use text fields with formulas for derived dates. This customization is available across plans like Standard and Business Pro, making it accessible for most users without add-ons.

DocuSign: A Core Player in eSignature Ecosystems

DocuSign, a leader in electronic signature technology since 2003, offers a comprehensive suite for digitizing agreements. Its eSignature platform handles everything from simple contracts to complex workflows, with features like templates, reminders, and bulk sending. Beyond basics, DocuSign includes Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), which extends to Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM). IAM CLM automates the entire agreement process—from creation and negotiation to execution and analysis—using AI to extract key terms and monitor obligations. This is particularly valuable for enterprises managing thousands of contracts annually, reducing manual review time by up to 80%.

From a commercial standpoint, DocuSign’s scalability supports industries like finance and real estate, with robust audit trails ensuring compliance. Pricing starts at $10/month for personal use, scaling to enterprise custom plans, though envelope limits apply (e.g., 100 per user/year in Standard). While powerful, its seat-based model can increase costs for large teams.

Adobe Sign: Reliable Integration for Enterprise Needs

Adobe Sign, part of Adobe Document Cloud, emphasizes seamless integration with productivity tools like Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. It provides a user-friendly interface for placing fields, including date stamps, with formatting options similar to DocuSign—customizable via field properties for formats like ISO 8601. Businesses appreciate its focus on security, with features like multi-factor authentication and compliance with standards such as GDPR and HIPAA. Pricing is tiered, starting around $10/user/month for individuals, with enterprise plans offering unlimited envelopes and advanced analytics.

In competitive markets, Adobe Sign stands out for its creative ecosystem ties, making it ideal for marketing or design-heavy firms. However, like DocuSign, it relies on per-user licensing, which may not suit unlimited-team models.

eSignGlobal: Tailored for Global and Regional Compliance

eSignGlobal positions itself as a versatile eSignature provider with compliance support in over 100 mainstream countries worldwide. It excels in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, where electronic signature regulations are fragmented, high-standard, and strictly regulated—often requiring ecosystem-integrated approaches rather than the framework-based ESIGN/eIDAS models common in the US and Europe. APAC demands deep hardware and API-level integrations with government-to-business (G2B) digital identities, a technical hurdle far beyond email verification or self-declaration methods prevalent elsewhere. eSignGlobal addresses this with native support for systems like Hong Kong’s iAM Smart and Singapore’s Singpass, ensuring seamless, legally binding signatures.

Commercially, eSignGlobal’s no-seat-fee model offers unlimited users, making it cost-effective for expanding teams. Its Essential plan costs just $16.6/month (or $199/year), allowing up to 100 documents for electronic signature, unlimited user seats, and verification via access codes—all while maintaining high compliance. This pricing undercuts competitors while delivering AI-driven features like risk assessment and translation, positioning it as a strong contender in global markets, including competitive pushes against DocuSign and Adobe Sign in Europe and the Americas.

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HelloSign (Dropbox Sign): Simplicity for SMBs

HelloSign, now rebranded as Dropbox Sign, focuses on straightforward signing with intuitive drag-and-drop tools. Date fields can be customized similarly to DocuSign, supporting formats like DD-MM-YYYY through template settings. It’s praised for its free tier (up to three documents/month) and integrations with Dropbox for storage. Paid plans start at $15/month for Essentials, scaling to $25 for teams with unlimited envelopes. For small to medium businesses, its no-frills approach reduces learning curves, though it lacks some advanced CLM features found in larger platforms.

Comparative Overview of eSignature Platforms

This table highlights neutral trade-offs: DocuSign and Adobe Sign offer robust enterprise tools but at higher per-user costs, while eSignGlobal and HelloSign prioritize affordability and accessibility.

Navigating eSignature Choices for Business Growth

As businesses evaluate eSignature tools, the Date Signed feature’s customization remains a key differentiator for operational precision. DocuSign excels in mature ecosystems, but alternatives like eSignGlobal emerge as a neutral, regionally compliant option for diverse markets, balancing cost and functionality without seat-based pricing.