PDF/A: save documents so they still open in 20 years

Invoices, contracts, diplomas, bank statements — we save almost everything as PDF and assume the job's done. But a regular PDF can lean on fonts installed on your computer, external images or embedded JavaScript. Open it a few years later and you get empty boxes instead of text.

What PDF/A does differently

PDF/A is an ISO standard for long-term archiving. The file carries everything it needs: embedded fonts, defined color profiles, metadata. It also bans anything that could break over time — encryption, JavaScript, links to external content. The result looks identical today and in 20 years, on any device.

When you need it

- Courts and government portals: many e-filing systems require or strongly recommend PDF/A.

- Bookkeeping: tax records often have to be kept 5–10 years. Perfect fit.

- Theses and dissertations: most universities ask for PDF/A-1b or PDF/A-2b.

- Contracts and HR documents you'll dig up years later.

How to convert a file

1. Upload your PDF (or Word file) to a converter.

2. Pick the flavor — PDF/A-2b is a sensible default; use PDF/A-1b only if someone explicitly asks for it.

3. Download it and check that fonts and images look right.

Heads-up: a password-protected PDF can't become PDF/A, because the standard forbids encryption. Remove the password first.

An archive you can't open in ten years is worthless. Convert your important files to PDF/A on FileTools — no install, done in seconds.