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PDF/A and external references

November 2025 by Peter Wyatt

PDF/A ensures reliable long-term rendering by embedding fonts, images, and color profiles, but URLs can still appear in text, hyperlinks, bookmarks, annotations, metadata, and embedded files.

Link annotations and URI Actions define clickable destinations, but PDF/A restricts certain action types to prevent external dependencies.

Guided by clear policies, comprehensive audits of both visible and hidden references help maintain authenticity, accessibility, and long-term integrity of PDF/A documents and digital collections.

PDF/A ensures reliable long-term rendering by embedding fonts, images, and color profiles, but URLs can still appear in text, hyperlinks, bookmarks, annotations, metadata, and embedded files.

Link annotations and URI Actions define clickable destinations, but PDF/A restricts certain action types to prevent external dependencies.

Guided by clear policies, comprehensive audits of both visible and hidden references help maintain authenticity, accessibility, and long-term integrity of PDF/A documents and digital collections.

PDF and the User Experience Survey conducted by Karlen Communications

November 2016 by PDF Association staff
News


This survey was designed for people with disabilities using adaptive technology. Every attempt has been made to ensure that the survey is accessible. It has been tested by people who … Read more

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October 2016 by Duff Johnson
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The latest veraPDF now includes batch processing (beta), additional error-handling and extraction of the AFRelationship key.

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September 2016 by PDF Association staff
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PDF/E Competence Center promote awareness of the ISO standard for engineering supporting the secure creation, exchange and use of engineering … Read more

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September 2016 by Matt Kuznicki
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Throughout Time… Reproduction of a bison of the cave of Altamira Humans have put their thoughts to media with the … Read more

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September 2016 by Duff Johnson
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Looking for PDF expertise in the Asia / Pacific region! Come to PDF Day Australia on November 25, 2016 in … Read more

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September 2016 by PDF Association staff
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This educational event is designed to help CIOs, document management experts and electronic content policy-makers come to grips with ISO-standardized … Read more

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September 2016 by Duff Johnson
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The latest incremental release reflects user requests, some minor fixes and a decision taken in the PDF Validation TWG.

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September 2016 by PDF Association staff
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The successful PDF Days Europe will be held in Berlin again. Across two days, you’ll be able to choose from … Read more

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September 2016 by Duff Johnson
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US agencies have released updated guidelines on digitizing books and other materials.

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August 2016 by Duff Johnson
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PDF/UA documents from Microsoft are on the way.

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August 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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ECM needs a common portable container to move information management to the next level.

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