Microsoft Word documents (.docx) are commonly used for contracts, proposals, and sensitive business communications. Here's how to add tracking to your Word files.
Step 1: Generate the Pixel
1 Create Your Tracking Pixel
- Log in to Signal Canary
- Create a new document pixel
- Copy the Pixel URL
Step 2: Open Your Word Document
2 Open in Microsoft Word
Open the document in Microsoft Word (desktop version recommended).
The web version of Word (Word Online) has limited support for external images. Use the desktop application for best results.
Step 3: Insert the Pixel Image
3 Add the Tracking Image
- Go to Insert → Pictures
- Select This Device or Online Pictures
- If your version supports it, select "Insert from URL" and paste the Pixel URL
- Alternatively, download the pixel image first, then insert it from your device
Step 4: Hide the Pixel
4 Make the Pixel Invisible
- Click on the inserted image
- Resize it to 1x1 pixels (or as small as possible)
- Right-click the image and select Wrap Text → Behind Text
- Drag the image to a discreet location:
- Document footer
- Corner of a page
- Inside the header
For the most invisible placement, insert the pixel into the document header or footer. This ensures it's present on every page without cluttering your content.
Step 5: Save & Share
5 Finalize and Distribute
- Save the document
- Send to your recipient via email or file sharing
- Monitor the Signal Canary dashboard for access events
How It Works
When the document is opened:
- Microsoft Word fetches the image from the URL
- Signal Canary logs the access event
- You receive the notification in your dashboard
The recipient must allow external content for tracking to occur. Some organizations block external images in Office documents by default.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Image shows as placeholder | Document must be opened online for pixel to load |
| No tracking event recorded | Recipient may have external content blocked |
| Pixel visible in document | Resize smaller and use "Behind Text" wrap |