PDF to PDF/A
Convert a PDF to the PDF/A archival format (1b, 2b or 3b) for long-term storage or official submissions.
Processed on our server and deleted within 1 hour
Up to 5 files, 15 MB max each.
What PDF to PDF/A does
PDF to PDF/A turns your PDFs into the long-term archival format required by many public agencies, courts and universities. PDF/A embeds every font, pins colors to a profile and stores the metadata inside the file, so the document looks the same many years from now. The result is checked with the veraPDF reference validator.
Limits
- Up to 5 files at a time, up to 15 MB each.
- With Pro: files up to 100 MB and up to 50 per batch.
- A job that takes longer than 2 minutes is stopped so it doesn't freeze your device.
- Processed on our server over an encrypted connection; the file is deleted within 1 hour.
Frequently asked questions
Which PDF/A version should I choose?
Unless you are asked for another, PDF/A-2b: it is the most widely accepted and supports transparency and modern compression. PDF/A-1b is for older systems that only accept the first version; PDF/A-3b also allows files attached inside the PDF (e-invoices, for example).
Does the document's appearance change?
Content and pages stay the same. Some details may vary: fonts are embedded and, in PDF/A-1b, transparency is flattened. Links and interactive forms may be lost because the archival format does not allow them.
Can I convert a password-protected PDF?
No: PDF/A does not allow encryption. Remove the password first with “Remove a PDF password” and then convert it.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
Yes: the conversion runs on our own server (not a third-party service), over an encrypted connection, and the file is processed in memory without being stored.