PDF to PDF/A

Convert your PDF to PDF/A for long-term archiving.

How to Convert PDF to PDF/A.

  1. Select or drag your PDF file that you would like to convert to PDF/A.
  2. Your PDF will be uploaded, and we will scan your document.
  3. Wait for the conversion to finish.
  4. The converted PDF/A will be ready for you to download instantly.

Why PDF/A?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF that ensures a document can be reproduced exactly the same way with long-term preservation, regardless of what software is used.

PDF to PDF/A in 2 minutes

Time is important, and we do not want to waste yours. It only takes 4 simple steps to complete a PDF to PDF/A conversion with us.

Privacy is important!

The entirety of your uploaded document will be protected by 256-bit Encryption technology. You do not have to worry about outflow of personal privacy.

Using cloud to convert your files

You can save your file in our cloud system instantly. Thus, it lets you access your files easily and preserve the storage of your devices in a great deal. Feel free to use our features without consuming your device capacity.

Any devices or platforms

We support all kind of devices and browsers, from Safari in mobile, Firefox in laptop to Chrome on iPad. Come and join us, and we make sure you can convert your document in the most convenient way.

Online access for device

You can access our online PDF converter while your device is connected to internet. So you can upload, convert, download, share and save your file online in a fast pace. It is extremely handy to use.


Convert PDF to PDF/A – An easy tutorial

Ensure your PDF documents are preserved for long-term archiving with our Convert PDF to PDF/A tool. This conversion makes your files self-contained, compliant with ISO standards, and readable far into the future, guaranteeing their accessibility and integrity over time.


Convert PDF to PDF/A

Imagine you've created an essential document – perhaps a will, a decades-long research report, or critical historical records – and you need to ensure it remains perfectly readable and accessible years, or even decades, from now, regardless of future software changes. A standard PDF might suffice for everyday use, but what if the fonts aren't embedded, or external references break over time? Our Convert PDF to PDF/A tool addresses this precise need, transforming your PDFs into a special, archival-friendly format that guarantees their longevity and integrity.

Why Archival Matters

For documents that need to stand the test of time, simple PDF isn't always enough. PDF/A (Portable Document Format for Archiving) is an ISO-standardized version of PDF specifically designed for the long-term preservation of electronic documents. It ensures that your files remain independent of the software, hardware, and operating systems used to create or view them. Here’s why this conversion is vital for certain documents:

  • Long-Term Accessibility: Guarantees that documents will be readable and look exactly the same decades from now, without degradation or dependency issues.
  • Self-Contained Files: PDF/A documents embed all necessary information, like fonts, color profiles, and metadata, directly within the file, making them independent of external resources.
  • Legal Compliance: Many industries and governments require documents to be stored in PDF/A format for regulatory compliance and legal admissibility.
  • Future-Proofing: Prevents issues that arise from software obsolescence or missing dependencies, ensuring your archives remain functional.
  • Integrity Assurance: The format disallows features that might prevent long-term preservation, such as encryption, executable files, or external content linking.

What Happens During Conversion

Converting a regular PDF to PDF/A involves a series of strict validations and modifications to ensure the document meets the archiving standard. Our tool performs these necessary adjustments:

  1. Font Embedding: All fonts used in the document are embedded, so the text will always display correctly, even if the fonts aren't installed on the viewing system.
  2. Color Space Definition: Color information is precisely defined to ensure consistent rendering across different devices and over time.
  3. Metadata Inclusion: Document information and structure are fully contained within the file.
  4. Prohibited Features Removal: Any elements that are not allowed in PDF/A (like encryption, JavaScript, or external links) are either removed or converted to static elements.
  5. Validation: The tool checks the document against the PDF/A standard to ensure full compliance.

Simple Steps for Archival Preparation

Converting your PDF to PDF/A is a straightforward process:

  1. Upload Your PDF: Select the PDF file you wish to convert to PDF/A from your device.
  2. Start Conversion: Click the 'Convert' button. Our system will then process your document to meet the PDF/A standard.
  3. Download Your PDF/A File: Your new, compliant PDF/A document will be ready for you to download.

Preserving Your Information for Tomorrow

Converting your PDFs to PDF/A is an essential step for digital archiving, ensuring your valuable information remains perfectly preserved and accessible for generations. It’s about securing the legacy of your documents, guaranteeing their integrity and readability far into the future.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is PDF/A?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of the Portable Document Format (PDF) specifically designed for the long-term archiving and preservation of electronic documents. Its purpose is to ensure that documents remain self-contained and perfectly readable in the future.

Why should I convert my PDF to PDF/A?

You should convert to PDF/A if you need to guarantee that your document will be readable and look exactly the same decades from now, independent of software or hardware changes. It's ideal for legal, archival, and historical documents.

What are the key differences between PDF and PDF/A?

PDF/A requires all fonts to be embedded, prohibits encryption and executable content (like JavaScript), and defines color spaces to ensure consistent rendering. It removes features that could hinder long-term preservation, making it more restrictive but also more stable for archiving.

Will converting to PDF/A change my document's appearance?

The goal of PDF/A conversion is to maintain the document's original visual appearance precisely. Any necessary changes, like embedding fonts or defining colors, are done to ensure consistent rendering over time, not to alter the layout or design.

Can I convert scanned PDFs to PDF/A?

Yes, scanned PDFs can be converted to PDF/A. If the scanned PDF contains only images of text, the PDF/A standard (specifically PDF/A-2b or PDF/A-3b) allows for this. For better searchability, you might consider performing OCR on the scanned PDF before or during the PDF/A conversion process.

Is my document secure during the conversion process?

We prioritize the security of your documents. Files uploaded for conversion are processed using secure connections and are typically deleted from our servers shortly after the process and download are completed.

Do I need to download or install any software?

No, our Convert PDF to PDF/A tool is an online application. You can use it directly in your web browser without needing to download or install any software on your computer or device.

Will encrypted PDFs be converted to PDF/A?

No, PDF/A explicitly disallows encryption to ensure long-term accessibility. If your PDF is encrypted, you will need to remove the encryption (unlock the PDF) before you can convert it to a valid PDF/A file.

What happens if my PDF contains features not allowed in PDF/A?

Our tool will attempt to either remove these disallowed features (like JavaScript or embedded files) or convert them to a static representation that complies with the PDF/A standard. The goal is to make the document compliant without losing essential content.

Are there different versions of PDF/A?

Yes, there are several parts and conformance levels of the PDF/A standard (e.g., PDF/A-1a, PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2a, PDF/A-2b, PDF/A-2u, PDF/A-3a, PDF/A-3b, PDF/A-3u). Each specifies different levels of compliance and allowed features, with 'a' meaning accessible, 'b' meaning basic, and 'u' meaning Unicode.

What is the maximum file size I can convert to PDF/A?

Our online tool is designed to handle a wide range of PDF file sizes for conversion. While very large or complex documents might take a bit longer, most common file sizes can be efficiently processed.


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If you are looking for how to convert PDF to PDF/A, PDFBEAR is definitely the right tool to give you a hand. We convert your file in less than 2 minutes. Lack of conversion tools is no longer your nightmare. Come join us and discover the features of PDFBEAR.