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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

PDF 75 MB per PDF Temporary processing · files auto-deleted File handling

  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 →

Direct answers

Questions about PDF to PDF/A

What is the difference between PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-4?

They are different parts of the archival standard based on different PDF generations and allowed features. This service targets PDF/A-2; use the variant required by the receiving archive.

Does conversion guarantee archival acceptance?

No. Validate the output with the receiving organization’s approved validator and inspect fonts, colour, transparency and metadata.

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.