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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.

Bridging PDF and Web Accessibility

July 2023 by Paul Rayius (Allyant)
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This update from the PDF/UA Processor LWG includes an example of its work mapping PDF’s structure types to web accessibility APIs.

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July 2023 by PDF Association staff
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The most recent specification of PDF doesn’t limit page size… at all. That’s up to the implementation.

PDF in the Wild

July 2023 by Thomas Zellmann
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Why PDF 2.0 is the definition of PDF every developer should use – even if your products don’t support PDF … Read more

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July 2023 by PDF Association staff
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As its members become more active in PDF Association communities we’ve taken new steps to ensure that easy access to … Read more

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July 2023 by PDF Association staff
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Leverage PDF Week Fall 2023 to highlight your support for standardized PDF technology!

For members only

June 2023 by PDF Association staff
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Save October 16-20 for PDF Week Fall 2023 in San Francisco including an open Industry Symposium on Advancing PDF’s Imaging … Read more

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June 2023 by PDF Association staff
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DARPA recognizes the PDF Association’s contributions to its SafeDocs program.

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June 2023 by PDF Association staff
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PDF’s imaging model is due for its first refresh in 20 years. You can participate by joining the new PDF … Read more

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June 2023 by Matthias Wagner
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What if you could simply ask a question to a PDF file? What if you could receive answers that are … Read more

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June 2023 by PDF Association staff
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The PDF Association is pleased to announce no-cost availability of ISO/TS 32003, adding support for AES-GCM to PDF 2.0.

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June 2023 by PDF Association staff
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To celebrate the 30th anniversary of PDF technology the PDF Association has released a trailer for its forthcoming documentary.

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