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What's PDF/A?

PDF/A is a specialized version of the PDF format tailored for long-term document preservation. "A" in PDF/A stands for "Archival." It adheres to strict standards, ensuring documents remain visually and textually consistent over time. Ideal for industries requiring extended document longevity, PDF/A is widely used in legal, governmental, and archival contexts.

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What are the benefits of using PDF/A format?

Long-Term Preservation

PDF/A ensures the enduring archiving of electronic documents, providing a format specifically crafted for the sustained preservation of content over extended periods.

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Document Fidelity

Strict adherence to standards in PDF/A guarantees the maintenance of visual and textual consistency. This means that the original appearance and content of documents are preserved faithfully.

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Legal Compliance

PDF/A is widely accepted and recognized in legal and regulatory environments, meeting stringent standards for electronic document storage and submission, and ensuring legal validity and integrity.

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Metadata Preservation

PDF/A goes beyond preserving the content itself; it also ensures the comprehensive preservation of document metadata. This includes critical information about the document's creation, modifications, and other relevant details.

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Data Compression

PDF/A supports efficient compression techniques, minimizing file sizes without compromising the quality of the document. The archived materials remain manageable in terms of storage while retaining their visual and textual integrity.

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Standardization

As an ISO standard (ISO 19005), PDF/A provides a universally recognized and accepted format for archival purposes. This standardization ensures consistency and compatibility across different systems and platforms.

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What kinds of documents is PDF/A format used in ?

Legal Documents

Contracts, court filings, and legal briefs are converted to PDF/A...

Legal Documents

Contracts, court filings, and legal briefs are converted to PDF/A for long-term archiving and compliance with stringent legal standards.

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Government Records

Official government documents and reports undergo PDF to PDF/A conversion...

Government Records

Official government documents and reports undergo PDF to PDF/A conversion to meet regulatory requirements and ensure longevity.

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Archival Records

Historical documents, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts are converted...

Archival Records

Historical documents, manuscripts, and cultural artifacts are converted to PDF/A format for preservation and accessibility.

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Educational Transcripts

Educational institutions use fillable PDF forms for student admissions...

Educational Transcripts

Educational institutions use fillable PDF forms for student admissions, course registrations, and feedback collection. This enhances the efficiency of administrative processes.

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Finance and Accounting Documents

Academic transcripts and educational records are converted to PDF/A for...

Finance and Accounting Documents

Academic transcripts and educational records are converted to PDF/A for standardized archiving, ensuring the long-term preservation of academic achievements and educational history.

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Medical Records

Patient records, medical reports, and healthcare documents are transformed into...

Medical Records

Patient records, medical reports, and healthcare documents are transformed into PDF/A format to meet regulatory compliance and ensure secure archiving.

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Engineering Drawings

Technical drawings, schematics, and engineering documents undergo PDF to PDF/A...

Engineering Drawings

Technical drawings, schematics, and engineering documents undergo PDF to PDF/A conversion to preserve accurate visual information and ensure that crucial technical data remains authentic and accessible over time.

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Examples of PDF/A documents.

Convert PDF to PDF/A

How to convert PDF to PDF/A?

Decreasing PDF file size with Wondershare PDFelement is a straightforward process.

Step 1. Open PDF

Open PDFelement on your device and import the PDF file you want to convert to PDF/A.

Step 2. Access to PDF/A Conversion Feature

Go to the "Convert" menu and select the "To PDF/A" option. Specify the File Name and choose the Output Folder for the converted PDF/A file.

Step 3. Adjust PDF/A Standard Settings

Click "Settings" to customize the PDF/A conversion settings. Choose the desired PDF/A Standards and click "OK" to apply the settings. Check the converted PDF/A file.

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FAQ about PDF to PDF/A converter

01. What is the difference between PDF A and PDF?

PDF is a versatile file format used for various document types. PDF/A, on the other hand, is a specialized version designed for long-term archiving. The key difference lies in their purposes; while PDF is suitable for general use, PDF/A is tailored for ensuring document preservation and integrity over time.
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02. When should I use PDF A?

PDF/A is ideal when you need to archive documents for the long term. It ensures document preservation by adhering to strict standards, making it suitable for industries requiring extended document longevity, such as legal, governmental, and archival sectors. If you aim to maintain the integrity of documents over many years, PDF/A is the preferred format.

03. Can I convert PDF to PDF A?

Yes, you can convert a standard PDF to PDF/A format. Utilize PDF conversion tools like PDFelement, which offer features specifically designed for transforming regular PDFs into the PDF/A standard. This conversion is beneficial when you need to ensure the long-term archiving of your documents.

04. What are the PDF A standards?

The main PDF/A standards are:

PDF/A-1 (ISO 19005-1):
Focused on reliable reproduction of visual content and text.
PDF/A-2 (ISO 19005-2):
Enhances support for file formats and character encoding.
PDF/A-3 (ISO 19005-3):
Allows embedding of any file format.

Each standard addresses specific archiving needs for document longevity and adherence to international preservation standards.

05. How do I change a PDF to PDF A mode?

To change a PDF to PDF/A mode, use PDFelement. Open the PDF file, navigate to the "Convert" menu, and select "To PDF/A." Set the desired PDF/A conversion settings and apply them. This process transforms your PDF into PDF/A mode, ensuring compliance with archiving standards.

06. What software converts PDF to PDF A?

PDFelement is an excellent software choice for converting PDF to PDF/A. It provides a user-friendly interface with a dedicated "Convert to PDF/A" feature. This tool allows you to customize settings, ensuring a seamless and standards-compliant transformation from regular PDF to PDF/A format.