You can view information about a digital signature, or the certificate that is used to create the digital signature, in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
For more information on adding or removing digital signatures, see Add or remove a digital signature.
Note Digital signatures can’t be created or removed in Microsoft Excel Starter 2010 or Microsoft Word Starter 2010.
View digital signature details
- Open the file that contains the digital signature you want to view.
- Click File > Info > View Signatures.
- In the list, on a signature name, click the down-arrow, and then click Signature Details.
From the Signature Details dialog box, you can determine if the signature is:
- Valid The signature is current. The certificate is trusted, and isn’t expired or revoked.
- Invalid The certificate is revoked or the content signed has been altered.
- Recoverable error The signature isn’t valid now but you might be able to make it valid. The problem might be that you are offline, the certificate is expired, or the certificate issuer isn’t trusted.
- Partial signature A portion of a file is signed.
Digital-signature levels and standards
The following table shows signature types and corresponding descriptions.
| Signature type |
Description |
| Legacy MD5 |
A binary signature created by using the MD5 hash algorithm. This is the default digital-signature type in Office 2003, and before. |
| XML-DSig |
A short-term digital signature that will be valid only for the validity period of the digital certificate |
| XAdES-EPES |
A short-term digital signature that also stores certificate information |
| XAdES-T |
A time-stamped digital signature |
| XAdES-C |
A time-stamped digital signature with certificate and revocation references |
| XAdES-X |
A XAdES-C signature that also time stamps the certificate and revocation references |
| XAdES-X-L |
A XAdES-X signature that also stores the certificates in the signing-certificate's chain and their revocation information, from the time of signing |
Important By default, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel create XAdES-EPES signatures. To create higher-level signatures, consult with your system administrator to set the needed configuration settings.
Top of Page
View certificate details
The Signature Details dialog box displays certificate information such as the signer’s name in the Signing as box, and who issued the certificate.
- Open the file that contains the certificate you want to view.
- Click File > Info > View Signatures.
- In the list, on a signature name, click the down-arrow, and then click Signature Details.
- In the Signature Details dialog box, click View.
Top of Page
