Convert

PDF to PDF/A

Convert a PDF to the PDF/A archival format — adds conformance metadata and a colour profile so the file is self-contained for long-term storage.

Upload your PDF here, or click to browse

PDF
ℹ PDF/A conformance is added via metadata and structure. PDFs with non-embedded fonts or transparency layers may need a server-side tool for full validator compliance.

About this tool

Convert your standard PDF documents into the ISO-standardized PDF/A format for long-term archiving — entirely in your web browser. With PDFtone, all format conversion occurs on your device, ensuring that your archived files remain confidential.

How to convert pdf to pdf/a

  1. Select and upload your PDF document.
  2. Choose the specific PDF/A standard version (e.g., PDF/A-1b or PDF/A-2b).
  3. Click Convert to PDF/A and download your archived document.

Common uses

  • Preparing legal, financial, or academic records for long-term digital storage.
  • Complying with archiving standards for government portals.
  • Ensuring documents remain readable on future computer systems.

Frequently asked questions

What is PDF/A?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF specialized for the digital preservation of electronic documents. It forbids features ill-suited for long-term archiving, like external font links.

Does converting to PDF/A change the document appearance?

The visual layout remains identical, but elements like interactive forms or external media are restricted.

Are my files uploaded?

No. Conversion happens locally in your browser.

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