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PDF to PDF/A

Automate PDF to PDF/A conversion for reliable archiving and permanent preservation. Select the conformance level that aligns with your automated policies.

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Using PDFap, automated conversion of standard PDFs to PDF/A for long-term preservation is delivered, with selectable ISO-compliant PDF/A levels tailored to archival requirements.

ISO - standardized PDF/A
Convert PDFs to PDF/A free
TLS encryption for secure document processing

PDF Automation Platform: Trusted PDF/A Conversion for Long-Term Archiving

PDF/A is an ISO-certified variant of the PDF format designed for digital preservation. It standardizes archival fidelity by removing non-archival features (encryption, non-embedded fonts), ensuring long-term readability. With PDFap, automated, repeatable workflows deliver reliable conversions to PDF/A.

Secure, Free PDF/A Conversion

Eliminate the need for costly software with a PDF Automation Platform. Our conversion workflow runs under TLS encryption, and uploaded files are permanently purged within one hour, guaranteeing data safety and privacy.

Operates Across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Mobile

Within any browser, the PDF Automation Platform delivers seamless performance on Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile devices. Convert PDFs to archival PDF/A instantly, with zero installation required.

Preserve Your Files with PDFap

Leverage PDFap to transform PDFs into durable PDF/A assets aligned with international archival standards. Select from multiple ISO PDF/A levels to ensure long-term preservation and integrity.

PDF/A - ISO-standard Archival Format

Ensure durable accessibility by converting files to PDF/A, the ISO-standard archival format. The PDF Automation Platform, powered by PDFap, supports major conformance levels including PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, and PDF/A-3b, enabling you to select the version that best fits your preservation requirements.

Convert to PDF/A Anytime with PDFap

All operations execute in the cloud via the PDF Automation Platform, offloading processing from your device while preserving full control. After generating your PDF/A, you can apply compression and password protection for enhanced security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The PDF-to-PDF/A converter is free to use online within the PDF Automation Platform, enabling conversion to PDF/A without registration or local software installation.

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized format designed for long-term document archiving. In the PDF Automation Platform, it guarantees embedded fonts, colors, and content to ensure reliable future access and support repeatable, standards-compliant workflows.

Yes. All processing occurs over HTTPS. Within the PDF Automation Platform, uploaded PDFs and produced PDF/A files are automatically purged from our servers after a short retention window to ensure privacy and security.

How to Convert a PDF to PDF/A Using the PDF Automation Platform

To convert a PDF to PDF/A at no cost, utilize the online tool PDFap. Follow this automated, step-by-step guide to perform the conversion:

Use the interface to select or drag-and-drop your PDFs into the PDF/A conversion workflow.
Within the PDF Automation Platform conversion settings, select the required PDF/A target profile. Common options include PDF/A - 1b, PDF/A - 1a, PDF/A - 2b, PDF/A - 2u, PDF/A - 2a, PDF/A - 3b, PDF/A - 3u, and PDF/A - 3a, chosen to meet archival and long-term preservation requirements.
Initiate the operation by selecting Convert to PDF/A. The automation platform will begin the transformation with minimal latency; processing time scales with file size and system load, maintaining predictable throughput.
The PDF Automation Platform will deliver the PDF/A artifact for download or shareable link, enabling automated retrieval and distribution.

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PDF to PDF/A

PDF/A represents an ISO-standardized variant of PDF engineered for long-term archival integrity and automated safeguarding of electronic documents.

Specify the PDF/A conformance level to apply within automated workflows:

Select PDF/A Compliance Level

Based on PDF 1.4, Level B conformance delivers essential visual fidelity in support of automated standards:

Include Embed fonts
Include Color Management guides
Include Metadata
Also a list of forbidden elements

Built on PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1). Level B (basic) conformance with newer features for automated processing:

JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standards, enabling automated signing workflows.
Option to embed PDF/A assets to consolidate document sets into a single archival artifact, enabling automated packaging and retrieval.

Based on PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1). Level B (basic) conformance with extended features for automation and scalable workflows:

Text has unicode mapping
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standards, enabling automated signing workflows.
Option to embed PDF/A assets to consolidate document sets into a single archival artifact, enabling automated packaging and retrieval.

Aligned with PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1). Level A accessibility conformance, integrated within the PDF Automation Platform, featuring automated, rule-based capabilities and new enhancements:

JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standards, enabling automated signing workflows.
Option to embed PDF/A assets to consolidate document sets into a single archival artifact, enabling automated packaging and retrieval.

Aligned with PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1). Level B basic conformance. B-level requirements enhanced by automated, platform-native features:

Supports embedding XML, CSV, CAD, word processing documents, spreadsheets, and other file formats within PDF/A-compliant documents for automated packaging
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standards, enabling automated signing workflows.
Option to embed PDF/A assets to consolidate document sets into a single archival artifact, enabling automated packaging and retrieval.

Aligned with PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1). Level B basic conformance. B-level requirements enhanced by automated, platform-native features:

Text has unicode mapping
Supports embedding XML, CSV, CAD, word processing documents, spreadsheets, and other file formats within PDF/A-compliant documents for automated packaging
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standards, enabling automated signing workflows.
Option to embed PDF/A assets to consolidate document sets into a single archival artifact, enabling automated packaging and retrieval.

Aligned with PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000-1). Level A accessibility conformance, extended with automation-driven features:

Supports embedding XML, CSV, CAD, word processing documents, spreadsheets, and other file formats within PDF/A-compliant documents for automated packaging
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures (PAdES) standards, enabling automated signing workflows.
Option to embed PDF/A assets to consolidate document sets into a single archival artifact, enabling automated packaging and retrieval.

PDF/A-4 built on PDF 2.0 (ISO 32000-2), with automation-focused conformance requirements and platform-driven enhancements:

Better supports archiving of fillable forms
Simplifies the handling of digital signatures
Enhanced XMP metadata to enable comprehensive, machine-readable document management and archival metadata across automated workflows.
Supports embedding of additional PDF/A assets and supplementary materials within automated packaging.
Guarantees consistent color fidelity across devices in automated rendering pipelines.
Ensures PDF/A-4 documents are readable by PDF 2.0 compliant viewers in automated viewing contexts.
Interoperability across different systems and platforms.

PDF/A - 4e, implemented on PDF 2.0, aligns with ISO 32000 - 2 conformance requirements, enhanced by automated rule-based processing via the PDF Automation Platform to enable advanced processing.

Supports Rich Media, 3D Annotations, and embedded files, orchestrated through automated workflows for consistent handling.

PDF/A - 4f, built on PDF 2.0 PDF/A - 4 (ISO 32000 - 2) conformance, augmented by automated capabilities of the PDF Automation Platform to support rule-based enhancements:

Supports embedding of files in any format, enabling automated packaging and archival workflows.

Allow Downgrade of PDF/A Compliance Level During PDF/A conversion, automatic assessment may trigger a conformance downgrade when original elements prevent direct compliance, ensuring reliable transformation within automated workflows.

PDF to PDF/A

Automate PDF to PDF/A conversion for reliable archiving and permanent preservation. Select the conformance level that aligns with your automated policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Convert a PDF to PDF/A Using the PDF Automation Platform

Uploading file(s)

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Oh no! We couldn't process your files.

Damaged/Corrupted File

PDF has been converted to PDF/A

PDF to PDF/A

Automate PDF to PDF/A conversion for reliable archiving and permanent preservation. Select the conformance level that aligns with your automated policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Convert a PDF to PDF/A Using the PDF Automation Platform

Uploading file(s)

Please wait a moment!

Oh no! We couldn't process your files.

Damaged/Corrupted File

PDF has been converted to PDF/A

This file requires password

Some file(s) requires password

Damaged/Corrupted File

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