PDF to PDF/A

PDF/A is an ISO-standardised subset of the PDF format designed specifically for long-term digital preservation. Unlike regular PDFs, a PDF/A document is self-contained: all fonts are fully embedded, colour profiles are explicitly defined, external content references are prohibited, and dynamic elements like JavaScript, audio, and video are disallowed. This ensures the document will render identically decades from now on any conforming reader.

Our PDF to PDF/A converter transforms a standard PDF into a PDF/A-1b compliant document, which is the most widely accepted archival sub-standard. The conversion process:

• Embeds all fonts that are not already embedded
• Converts or assigns output intent ICC colour profiles
• Removes JavaScript, embedded movies, audio, and 3D content
• Strips encryption and access restrictions
• Adds required XMP metadata fields (document ID, conformance level)

Who needs PDF/A conversion:

• Legal firms submitting documents to courts with PDF/A requirements
• Government agencies following digital records management mandates
• Healthcare organisations archiving patient records
• Businesses maintaining long-term contract archives
• Libraries and archives preserving digital collections

Note that conversion may alter some aspects of a document — if the original relies on embedded multimedia or JavaScript interactivity, those elements will be removed to meet the standard. Review the output document to confirm it meets your needs.

If you need to first ensure your document is in optimal shape before archiving, consider running it through Compress PDF to reduce its size, or Repair PDF if the document has structural issues.

Privacy: Files are encrypted in transit and deleted within one hour. The tool is free with no account needed.