When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Microsoft 365 Word gets SharePoint eSignature, now you can ditch third-party signing tools Paul Hill Neowin @ziks_99 · Jun 6, 2025 03:02 EDT Microsoft has just announced that it will be rolling out an extremely convenient feature for Microsoft 365 customers who use Word throughout this year. The Redmond giant said that you’ll now be able to use SharePoint’s native eSignature service directly in Microsoft Word. The new feature allows customers to request electronic signatures without converting the documents to a PDF or leaving the Word interface, significantly speeding up workflows. Microsoft’s integration of eSignatures also allows you to create eSignature templates which will speed up document approvals, eliminate physical signing steps, and help with compliance and security in the Microsoft 365 environment. This change has the potential to significantly improve the quality-of-life for those in work finding themselves adding lots of signatures to documents as they will no longer have to export PDFs from Word and apply the signature outside of Word. It’s also key to point out that this feature is integrated natively and is not an extension. The move is quite clever from Microsoft, if businesses were using third-party tools to sign their documents, they would no longer need to use these as it’s easier to do it in Word. Not only does it reduce reliance on other tools, it also makes Microsoft’s products more competitive against other office suites such as Google Workspace. Streamlined, secure, and compliant The new eSignature feature is tightly integrated into Word. It lets you insert signature fields seamlessly into documents and request other people’s signatures, all while remaining in Word. The eSignature feature can be accessed in Word by going to the Insert ribbon. When you send a signature request to someone from Word, the recipient will get an automatically generated PDF copy of the Word document to sign. The signed PDF will then be kept in the same SharePoint location as the original Word file. To ensure end-to-end security and compliance, the document never leaves the Microsoft 365 trust boundary. For anyone with a repetitive signing process, this integration allows you to turn Word documents into eSignature templates so they can be reused. Another feature that Microsoft has built in is audit trail and notifications. Both the senders and signers will get email notifications throughout the entire signing process. Additionally, you can view the activity history (audit trail) in the signed PDF to check who signed it and when. Finally, Microsoft said that administrators will be able to control how the feature is used in Word throughout the organization. They can decide to enable it for specific users via an Office group policy or limit it to particular SharePoint sites. The company said that SharePoint eSignature also lets admins log activities in the Purview Audit log. A key security measure included by Microsoft, which was mentioned above, was the Microsoft 365 trust boundary. By keeping documents in this boundary, Microsoft ensures that all organizations can use this feature without worry. The inclusion of automatic PDF creation is all a huge benefit to users as it will cut out the step of manual PDF creation. While creating a PDF isn’t complicated, it can be time consuming. The eSignature feature looks like a win-win-win for organizations that rely on digital signatures. Not only does it speed things along and remain secure, but it’s also packed with features like tracking, making it really useful and comprehensive. When and how your organization gets it SharePoint eSignature has started rolling out to Word on the M365 Beta and Current Channels in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia-Pacific. This phase of the rollout is expected to be completed by early July. People in the rest of the world will also be gaining this time-saving feature but it will not reach everyone right away, though Microsoft promises to reach everybody by the end of the year. To use the feature, it will need to be enabled by administrators. If you’re an admin who needs to enable this, just go to the M365 Admin Center and enable SharePoint eSignature, ensuring the Word checkbox is selected. Once the service is enabled, apply the “Allow the use of SharePoint eSignature for Microsoft Word” policy. The policy can be enabled via Intune, Group Policy manager, or the Cloud Policy service for Microsoft 365 Assuming the admins have given permission to use the feature, users will be able to access SharePoint eSignatures on Word Desktop using the Microsoft 365 Current Channel or Beta Channel. The main caveats include that the rollout is phased, so you might not get it right away, and it requires IT admins to enable the feature - in which case, it may never get enabled at all. Overall, this feature stands to benefit users who sign documents a lot as it can save huge amounts of time cumulatively. It’s also good for Microsoft who increase organizations’ dependence on Word. Tags Report a problem with article Follow @NeowinFeed

Sometimes you need a hug, and sometimes the softest bed sheets are just as good, if not better. Bedrooms are often referred to as sanctuaries, so it is no wonder that outfitting your bed with the best sheets is a path to serenity while you sleep.AD editors know that ending the day with high-quality bedding is a worthwhile investment. We’ve put on Sleep Week for the last five years to prove it, spotlighting our team’s favorite essentials to get a good night’s rest. We have tested dozens of brands—including Brooklinen, Boll & Branch, and Quince—that include luxury sheets, Amazon best sellers, and sets with special qualities like temperature regulation. Here, 15 of the softest sheets that will convince you that crawling into bed at 9 p.m. is equivalent to self-care.Our Top Picks for the Softest Bed Sheets:The Softest Bed Sheets, Overall: Boll & Branch Linen Sheet Set, $349Hotel-Quality Cotton Sheets: Matouk Bergamo Fitted Sheet, $374Silky Bamboo Sheets: Quince Bamboo Sheet Set, $130A Luxe Sateen Set: Brooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet Set, $189For Hot Sleepers: Sijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet Set, $185A T-Shirt-Inspired Set: Parachute Brushed Cotton Fitted Sheet, $110 $77Browse by CategoryThe softest bed sheets, overallPhoto: Yelena Moroz AlpertPhoto: Yelena Moroz AlpertBoll & Branch Linen Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsidesSix colorwaysKing with standard case optionDeep fitted sheet pockets, 17 inchesMade in Fair Trade-certified factoryDownsidesExpensiveMay feel oversizedSize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, king with standard cases, California king, split KingWhat's included1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, 2 pillowcasesTwin and twin XL sets include 1 pillowcaseSplit King sets include 2 twin XL fitted sheets and 2 king pillowcasesMaterial100% European flaxWhen it comes to the linen sheets, contributor Yelena Alpert, who has quite literally compared four linen bedding brands side to side in one day, says that the Boll & Branch linen sheet set definitely stands out for its softness factor. “It’s a noticeable difference,” says Alpert in her review. “The linen is almost velvety and drapes like a cozy embrace over my body. Whenever these are on, I never want to leave and sometimes end up working from bed in my PJs.” While these are not inexpensive, the set can be used all year and is an investment, but you can request free swatches before committing. “I don’t see myself swapping these out anytime soon,” she says.Hotel-quality cotton sheetsMatouk Bergamo BeddingUpsides & DownsidesUpsidesCooling500 thread countDeep pockets, 17 inchesDownsidesExpensiveOnly two colors, white and boneSize OptionsFull, queen, king, California kingWhat's included1 fitted sheetMaterialEgyptian cotton percaleThe Matouk Bergamo fitted sheet may look simple, but the airy percale is as soft as silk—all thanks to a unique combination of Giza 87 and 92 Egyptian cotton yarns. Allie Weiss, US digital director, calls it the “cream-of-the-crop bedding” in the best bed sheets review. “I hate scratchy sheets, and breathed a sigh of relief when I slipped into these,” she says. “They are both lightweight, crisp looking, and soft to the touch—talk about a win-win.”Silky bamboo sheetsNashia BakerNashia BakerQuince Bamboo Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides11 colors availableAvailable in a duvet bundleOption with or without flat sheetHypoallergenicDownsidesUsing fabric softener in laundry care routine can cause pillingSize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingWhat's included1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, and pillowcase(s) [(1 standard included in twin size, 2 standard included with full/queen, 2 king included with king/cal king]Material100% viscose from organic bambooLeave it to Quince, a beloved AD brand for all things bedding, to offer organic bamboo sheets that feel like a decadent cocoon. “This set feels smooth and cool to the touch but still cozy enough to bundle up with during the winter months,” says senior commerce editor Nashia Baker, who has the brand’s sheets in a warm hue that evokes earthy desert tones and transforms her bedroom into a serene escape. That’s one reason these sheets ended up as a top pick on our best bamboo sheets list. What’s more, the 300 thread count sheet set is also hypoallergenic.A luxe sateen setBrooklinen Luxe Sateen Core Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides21 colors availableAvailable in a duvet bundle?High thread count (480)DownsidesPopular colors sell out quicklySize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingWhat’s included1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcasesTwin and twin XL sets include 1 pillowcaseKing and California king sets include king-size pillowcasesMaterial100% long-staple cottonBrooklinen does a lot of things well, but the Luxe Sateen Core sheet set is unmatched in terms of softness. In fact, two AD team members love them. This set is “super classic, smooth, and has a crisp feel,” says commerce director Rachel Fletcher in her review. It’s also perfect for anyone with sensitive skin, she adds, emphasizing that the fabric is that “not at all scratchy or harsh on my skin, like some of the less expensive options I’ve tried in the past.” For contributor Erika Owen these sheets are just what she needs, battling a New York City heatwave. It comes in more than 20 colorways, including the abstract Sunshell pattern that looks like a cross between a shell and a flower.For hot sleepersSijo AiryWeight Eucalyptus Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides13 colors availableOption with or without flat sheetDownsidesCan snag if washed with items that contain zippersSize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingWhat’s included(1) fitted sheet, (1) optional flat/top sheet, and (2) pillowcases. Twin and twin XL sets include (1) pillowcaseMaterial100% Tencel lyocell (eucalyptus fibers)For tester Mel Studach, AD PRO senior editor, sheet fabric “has to be ultra-soft” and the Sijo AiryWeight eucalyptus sheet set reminds her of a favorite silk shirt that is “airy and comfortable yet elegant.” Studach uses these year-round because they feel lightweight and breathable in the summer and still cozy under a down comforter in the winter. “I’ve certainly noticed a less humid sleep experience in comparison to my past sheet sets,” she says. The earthy clay hue reads modern, while the grey stripe can go coastal or cottagecore.A T-shirt-inspired setRachel FletcherParachute Brushed Cotton Fitted SheetUpsides & DownsidesUpsidesOeko-Tex Standard 10060 days to returnDownsidesCompared to other sheets, limited colorway (6)Size OptionsFull, queen, king, California kingWhat's included(1) fitted sheetMaterial100% cottonThe Parachute brushed cotton fitted sheet has over 800 five-star reviews, and for good reason. This durable bedding is comforting thanks to its plain weave construction that’s a cross between cozy cotton sheets and your favorite t-shirt. “There’s no stretchy action like you might expect with sheets of a lesser quality,” says Fletcher. They’re also made in Portugal, which is known for producing excellent linens, and the factory that Parachute works with has been family-owned for generations, adds Fletcher, who originally tested the organic fitted sheet.More AD-Approved Soft Bed SheetsBrooklinen Classic Percale Core Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides18 colors availableLong-staple cotton and matte finishOeko-Tex certifiedDownsidesReturns are subject to a $9.95 return fee deducted from your refund amountSize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingWhat's included1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcasesTwin and twin XL sets include 1 pillowcaseKing and California king sets include king-size pillowcasesMaterial100% long-staple cotton, 270 thread countThe Brooklinen percale core set may be known to keep hot sleepers comfortable, but the matte finish of these sheets, made with long-staple cotton fibers is ridiculously smooth. “Usually, percale cotton is just airy, but these sheets are light but actually feel as if they cameo as something like sateen,” says contributor Yelena Alpert, who tested these in the blue Oyster pattern. “I love them so much that I got the duvet cover in the same material and now my bed is this oasis of softness.” The magic sauce lies in Brooklinen using long-staple cotton, which keeps the fibers from fraying and feeling rough.The Company Store x Rifle Paper Co. Sateen Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsidesOeko-Tex Standard 100Fitted sheets accommodate mattresses of up to 18 in. deepPairs with matching duvet cover, comforter, shams and shower curtain (sold separately)DownsidesNot included in promotionsOnly three color optionsSize OptionsTwin, full, queen, kingWhat's included1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 standard pillowcasesTwin sets include 1 pillowcaseKing sets include king-size pillowcasesMaterial100% combed cotton sateen, 300 thread countSuper soft sheets tend to come in more traditional patterns and solid colorways—not the ones from the Company Store x Rifle Paper Co. “I was originally drawn to the peacock print because it is just so whimsical and livens up my guest bedroom,” says Alpert, who has them in queen size. “But these are also buttery soft. Maybe too soft—my guests never want to leave.” The higher thread count, 300, is surely part of the reason. If it wasn’t for the true-to-Rifle print, you’d think these are hotel sheets.Sferra Grande Hotel Flat SheetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides16 colors availableSignature satin stitch embroideryGet softer with every washDownsidesExpensiveSome colors out of stockNot available in California kingSize OptionsTwin, full/queen, kingWhat's includedFlat SheetMaterial100% long-staple cotton“Whenever I put these percale sheets with a double row of satin stitch embroidery I feel as if I am on a set of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel,” Alpert says. “I’ve had these for a year and they only get softer and softer with every wash.” At this price, the sheets are definitely in the luxury bedding category and might spoil you into thinking that all cotton sheets should feel like this (they don’t).Buffy Breeze Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides34 colors availableOeko-Tex certifiedIncludes three year protection planFree 7 day sleep trialVegan, does not contain silkDownsidesPopular colors sold outSize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingWhat's included1 flat sheet, 1 fitted sheet, and 2 pillowcasesTwin and twin XL sets include 1 pillowcaseKing and California king sets include king-size pillowcasesMaterial100% Tencel lyocell from eucalyptus, 300 thread countBuffy Breeze cooling sheets are moisture-wicking but still velvety because the brand uses SilkShape fabric (but it is vegan and doesn’t actually use silk) which is made of strands that feel easy on the skin. “I am a little obsessed with my Breeze pillowcases,” says Alpert, who has them in the earth colorway. “It’s like I am sleeping on a cloud. As a side sleeper, I am always rubbing my cheeks against the pillow case and these have absolutely no friction.”Ettitude CleanBamboo Signature Sateen Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides8 colors availableOeko-Tex Standard 100HypoallergenicDownsidesPriceySize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California kingWhat's included1 flat sheet, 1 fitted Sheet, and 2 pillowcasesTwin and twin XL sets include 1 pillowcaseKing and California king sets include king-size pillowcasesMaterial100% CleanBamboo Lyocell (organic, FSC-certified bamboo)More than 5,000 customers gave the Ettitude CleanBamboo sheet sets a five-star rating and for good reason, these silky smooth sheets are worth the hype. "These sheets are buttery—pun intended,” says Baker, who has the set in the Butter colorway. “Sinking into these sheets is a dream thanks to their glossy feel that rivals the best silk sheets out there. It also doesn't hurt that the set comes in a warm yellow hue, which just so happens to be my favorite color!" The company makes the sheets in Peru and focuses on sustainability—the bedding is made from FSC-certified bamboo.Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet SetUpsides & DownsidesUpsides11 colors availableFitted sheet fits well on both regular and deep pocket mattresses up to 20 inchesOeko-Tex certifiedDownsidesPopular colors and sizes sell out quicklySize OptionsTwin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, split king