About PDF/A
PDF/A is the version of PDF made for archiving. It is an ISO standard that many courts, government portals, universities and records offices ask for, because a PDF/A file has to display the same way in decades to come. To make that possible, a PDF/A file must contain everything it needs: every font is embedded, colours are described with a colour profile, and anything that could change or reach outside the file, such as JavaScript, links that run actions or encryption, is not allowed. The b in each level means the page must look right, which is the level most portals ask for. This tool converts without running OCR, so your pages are not redrawn. Common fonts that were only referred to by name, such as Helvetica, Arial, Times and Courier, are embedded using free fonts with exactly the same character widths, so text stays in the same place. Form fields are flattened into the page, because filled-in values must not change in an archive copy. The result is then checked against the level you chose. If a file still cannot be confirmed, for example because it uses an unusual symbol font, you get a regular PDF and the result page tells you.
Limits: files up to 25 MB with a free account, 200 MB on Pro and 500 MB on Business; up to 3 files per task on Free, 50 on Pro and 200 on Business, with up to 2,000 pages each. A free account includes 10 server tasks a day.
Before you sign in, files can be up to 25 MB and you can run 10 server tasks a day. A free account raises this to 25 MB and 10 tasks a day.
Privacy: your file is uploaded over an encrypted connection to our UK servers, processed automatically with no person opening it, and deleted within 2 hours (1 hour on Free), or straight away with Delete now.
How to use the PDF tools: Step-by-step help with every tool, limits and your files.
PDF to PDF/A: frequently asked questions
Which PDF/A level should I choose?
PDF/A-2b unless you were told otherwise. PDF/A-1b is the oldest level and some older portals still require it; PDF/A-3b also allows attached files.
Will my document look different?
It should look the same. Missing fonts are embedded with fonts that have identical widths, so lines break in the same places.
What happens to form fields?
They are flattened: the values you see are kept as part of the page, but the fields can no longer be edited. Keep the original if you need to edit them.
Why was my file not confirmed as PDF/A?
Usually a font that cannot be embedded, such as a symbol font. You still get a PDF, and the result page says it is not confirmed.
Can I convert a password-protected PDF?
PDF/A does not allow encryption. Remove the password or restrictions first with Unlock PDF, then convert.