Enable traceable PDF/A conversion for compliant archiving and monitoring. Select the PDF/A conformance level that aligns with your audit and logging requirements.
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With PdfAl, initiate traceable conversion of standard PDFs to PDF/A for long-term preservation. Select the ISO-compliant PDF/A level that ensures auditable compliance and monitored archival readiness.
ISO - standardized PDF/A
Convert PDFs to PDF/A free
TLS encryption for secure document processing
Trusted PDF/A Conversion for Long-Term Archiving with Audit and Logging Oversight
PDF/A is a specialized, ISO-certified version of the PDF format designed for digital preservation. It enforces strict controls by disabling features unsuited for archiving and by enabling auditable, traceable processing to maintain readability over decades. PdfAl provides a simple and reliable way to achieve this with ongoing monitoring and compliance-oriented workflows.
Secure, Free PDF/A Conversion
PDF Audit and Logging: All secure processing is performed with end-to-end traceability. Our conversion workflow uses TLS encryption for data in transit, and uploaded files are securely purged within one hour after processing to preserve an auditable history of data handling. This combination supports compliance, visibility, and controlled access.
Cross-Platform Traceable Execution Across Windows, macOS, Linux & Mobile
Across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile, PdfAl operates in any browser with auditable, traceable processing. Convert PDFs to the archival PDF/A format with instant processing, while maintaining a verifiable processing log—no installation required.
Preserve Your Files with PdfAl
Use PdfAl to generate auditable PDF/A files that comply with international archival standards. Select from ISO PDF/A levels and maintain verifiable status and activity logs to ensure long-term safety.
PDF/A - The ISO Standard Archival Format with Auditability
Ensure durable accessibility by converting your files to PDF/A, the ISO-standard archival format. PdfAl supports major conformance levels including PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, and PDF/A-3b, with built-in audit trails and status logs to help you select the version that fits your preservation and compliance requirements.
Convert to PDF/A Anytime with PdfAl
All conversions occur in the cloud, enabling centralized, traceable processing and conserving local resources. Generated PDF/A files are accompanied by an auditable processing log, and you can apply compression or password protection with built-in monitoring controls for enhanced security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This PDF to PDF/A converter is free to use online. Conversions are performed with an auditable processing history, enabling traceability of each step without the need for registration or software installation.
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized format designed for long-term document archiving, with embedded fonts, colors, and content to preserve fidelity, while an auditable trail supports monitoring and compliance over time.
Yes. All files are processed over secure HTTPS encryption. Each conversion activity is recorded in the PDF Audit and Logging system to support monitoring and accountability. Uploaded PDFs and converted PDF/A files are automatically deleted from our servers after a short retention period to ensure privacy, security, and traceability.
PDF Audit and Logging: How to convert a PDF to PDF/A with traceable steps
To perform a traceable PDF/A conversion for free using PdfAl, follow this auditable, step-by-step guide to ensure an active processing log is maintained:
Click to select or drag & drop your PDFs to upload them for auditable processing; each action is logged to support traceability and monitoring.
In the conversion settings, select the PDF/A format you require for traceable processing. This choice creates an auditable trail for archival and preservation. Common options include PDF/A - 1b, PDF/A - 1a, PDF/A - 2b, PDF/A - 2u, PDF/A - 2a, or PDF/A - 3b, PDF/A - 3u, PDF/A - 3a, chosen based on compliance, retention, and monitoring needs.
Click "Convert to PDF/A" to initiate the process. The system will log the start and monitor progress. This may take a few seconds to minutes, depending on file size and service load, with ongoing status updates recorded.
Your PDF/A file will appear in the processing history as ready. You can download the file or share the link, while access and transfer events are recorded in the activity log.
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PDF to PDF/A
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized format designed for archival use, enabling traceable processing history and durable document integrity over many years.
Choose the PDF/A conformance level that supports your audit, monitoring, and logging needs for sustained document status visibility:
Uses PDF 1.4. Level B conformance to maintain essential visual fidelity while supporting audit trails and compliance standards:
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level B (basic) conformance with enhanced tracking and auditing features:
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Auditable provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling traceable signing events and status monitoring.
Option to embed PDF/A files to streamline archiving workflows, supported by audit trails and monitoring of archival batches and document status.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level B (basic) conformance with extended monitoring and audit-ready features:
Text has unicode mapping
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Auditable provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling traceable signing events and status monitoring.
Option to embed PDF/A files to streamline archiving workflows, supported by audit trails and monitoring of archival batches and document status.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). PDF Audit and Logging framework for Level A (accessible) conformance, incorporating tracking of PDF actions and processing history, maintaining clear audit trails and activity logs, monitoring document status and operational events, and alerting users to important changes or issues; plus new enhancements:
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Auditable provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling traceable signing events and status monitoring.
Option to embed PDF/A files to streamline archiving workflows, supported by audit trails and monitoring of archival batches and document status.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). PDF Audit and Logging for Level B (basic) conformance. Level B conformance requirements enhanced with tracking of actions and processing history, maintaining audit trails and activity logs, monitoring document status and operational events, and alerting users to important changes or issues; plus new features:
Allows embedding of XML, CSV, CAD, word-processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and other file formats into PDF/A-conforming documents, with traceable embedding events and auditable processing history for embedded content
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Auditable provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling traceable signing events and status monitoring.
Option to embed PDF/A files to streamline archiving workflows, supported by audit trails and monitoring of archival batches and document status.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). PDF Audit and Logging support for Level B (basic) conformance, providing traceable actions, processing history, monitoring of document status and operational events, and new features:
Text has unicode mapping
Allows embedding of XML, CSV, CAD, word-processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and other file formats into PDF/A-conforming documents, with traceable embedding events and auditable processing history for embedded content
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Auditable provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling traceable signing events and status monitoring.
Option to embed PDF/A files to streamline archiving workflows, supported by audit trails and monitoring of archival batches and document status.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). PDF Audit and Logging for Level A (accessible) conformance, including traceable actions, accessible content status tracking, monitoring of processing events, and new features:
Allows embedding of XML, CSV, CAD, word-processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and other file formats into PDF/A-conforming documents, with traceable embedding events and auditable processing history for embedded content
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Auditable provisions for digital signatures in accordance with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling traceable signing events and status monitoring.
Option to embed PDF/A files to streamline archiving workflows, supported by audit trails and monitoring of archival batches and document status.
PDF/A - 4 based on PDF 2.0 (ISO 32000 - 2) conformance requirements plus new features: with PDF Audit and Logging integration to enable end-to-end traceability, monitoring of processing status, and alerting on significant events.
Better supports archiving of fillable forms
Simplifies the handling of digital signatures
Enhanced XMP Metadata to store comprehensive, auditable information for document management, archival compliance, monitoring of changes, and traceable activity logs.
Supports embedding of additional PDF/A files and supplementary materials with preserved audit trails and activity logs for embedded content.
Ensures accurate color reproduction across devices while recording color-management events for auditability and monitoring.
Ensures PDF/A - 4 documents remain readable by PDF 2.0 compliant viewers, with ongoing status checks and audit logging of compatibility.
Interoperability across different systems and platforms.
PDF/A - 4e conformance (PDF 2.0, ISO 32000-2) with enhanced PDF Audit and Logging controls. Enables traceable processing history, auditable conformance changes, and monitored feature tracking alongside standard conformance requirements.
Supports Rich Media, 3D Annotations, and embedded files with audit-ready event logging to capture actions and status changes.
PDF/A - 4f conformance (PDF 2.0, ISO 32000-2) with added PDF Audit and Logging capabilities, aligning with conformance requirements and introducing new traceability features.
Allows embedding of files in any other format with activity logging and traceable embedment history to support audits.
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