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Convert PDF tool

PDF to PDF/A

Convert a PDF into a PDF/A-2 document for long-term archiving. No registration required.

Step 1 · Upload

Upload and prepare

Add your file

Drag & drop or select a file

75 MB per PDF

Archival conversion notes

Create a PDF/A-2 candidate that still requires validation

  1. 1

    Confirm the archive requirement

    Check that the receiving organization accepts PDF/A-2.

  2. 2

    Create the archival candidate

    Convert the document and allow required resources or page imagery to be normalized.

  3. 3

    Validate outside the converter

    Use the archive’s approved validator and inspect fonts, metadata, links and appearance.

Archival conversion notes

Create a PDF/A-2 candidate that still requires validation

Create a PDF/A-2 archival output for workflows that require a self-contained long-term document format.

Targets PDF/A-2 through the production worker

Produces a separate archival candidate

Supports long-term records workflows when combined with validation

Archival requirements

Confirm the receiving profile and validation rules

Target requirement
Confirm the receiving archive accepts PDF/A-2.
Features
Encryption and dynamic content are incompatible with many archival requirements.
Validation
Use the receiving institution’s approved validator after conversion.

Preservation workflows

When an archive requests PDF/A-2

  • Records management
  • Final reports and policies
  • Long-term invoice archives

Conversion alone is not a retention policy or compliance certification. Validate the result and preserve it in an appropriate records system. Review the privacy policy.

PDF/A troubleshooting

Interpret validation, feature and file-size changes

Validation still fails

Institutional profiles can require metadata or conformance beyond conversion; inspect the validator report.

Interactive content disappears

PDF/A is designed around a stable representation, not every dynamic feature.

The file becomes larger

Embedding required resources can increase size.

Questions specific to this operation

PDF to PDF/A questions

Is every PDF already PDF/A?

No. PDF/A imposes additional conformance requirements.

Which PDF/A version should I use?

Use the part and level required by the receiving archive. This tool targets PDF/A-2.

Can PDF/A be password protected?

Archival conformance and encryption generally conflict; follow the archive’s policy.

Does conversion guarantee preservation?

No. Validation, metadata, storage integrity and migration are also required.

Technical reading

Plan a complete preservation workflow

ArchivingPDF/A explained: when and why to use itRead guide →ArchivingPDF vs PDF/A: important differencesRead guide →PrivacyHow long should an online PDF service retain uploaded files?Read guide →

Continue your workflow

Use your document in a closely connected PDF task.

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Useful reading

Learn what affects this tool’s output and how to verify it.