Saving in PDF/A

The PDF Editor allows you to save documents in PDF/A, a format intended for long-term storage.

PDF/A documents contain all the information required for their correct display:

  • All fonts are embedded into the document (except for non-visible text).
  • Only embeddable fonts are used.
  • Colors are displayed correctly irrespective of the device.
  • The metadata used in the document comply with the applicable standards.

The following are not supported:

  • audio, video, and 3D objects
  • scripts
  • encryption
  • links to external content
  • copyrighted content (e.g. LZW).

To save a PDF document in PDF/A:

  1. Click File > Save As > PDF Document.... Alternatively, click the button on the toolbar in the Document tab and then click PDF Document....
  2. In the dialog box that opens, specify a name and location for your document.
  3. Select Create PDF/A and then select a PDF/A version from the drop-down list.
  4. Click Save.

You can create PDF/A-compliant documents from various formats. See also: Creating PDF documents.

PDF/A versions

PDF/A-1

PDF/A-2 PDF/A-3
B, A B, A, U B, A, U
  • 2005: PDF/A-1 is based on PDF 1.4 and supports the following features:
    • A – accessible – additional document requirements (tags)
    • B – basic – basic compliance level

ISO 19005-1:2005 (Cor 1: 2007, Cor 2: 2011).

  • 2011: PDF/A-2 is based on PDF 1.7 and supports additional features:
    • U - Unicode
    • JPEG2000 compression
    • transparency
    • PDF/A attachments
    • digital signatures

ISO 19005-2:2011.

  • 2012: PDF/A-3 supports additional features:
    • file attachments in any format

ISO 19005-3:2012.

6/12/2024 2:29:42 PM

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