PDF/A and external references
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.
Twenty Years of Trust: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of PDF/A-1
As we recognize the 20th anniversary of PDF/A-1 we celebrate more than a technical specification, we recognize it as a promise of reliable long-term access to our digital heritage.
November 2025 by PDF Association staff
Browsers leverage PDF in their battle for dominance | Your PDF says a lot about you | Is Big Data … Read more
October 2025 by PDF Association staff
Milestones in the History of PDF | Chrome’s newest feature | JPEG 2000 turns 25 | Windows 11 October 2025 … Read more
