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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.

Save the Date: PDF Days Europe on 15-16 May 2017

January 2017 by PDF Association staff
PDF Association news


Berlin, 23 January 2017. After seeing a record number of attendees last year, the 2017 PDF Days will again be held in Berlin. The PDF Association invites interested parties to … Read more

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January 2017 by PDF Association staff
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The veraPDF consortium has released version 1.0 release of its veraPDF software for validating all parts and conformance levels of … Read more

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January 2017 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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Apple’s PDF problems get worse on Sierra, says Tidbits publisher.

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December 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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The final beta-release of veraPDF is now available. Version 1.0 is expected on January 9th 2017. The 1.0 release is … Read more

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December 2016 by Matt Kuznicki
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Designed around the subjects of archiving and accessibility, PDF Day Australia brought a number of international PDF experts together for … Read more

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November 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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It’s all about the strategic perspective on PDF.

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November 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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The website Technology Decisions wrote: For the first time, PDF Day will be held in Australia during November. The event … Read more

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November 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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veraPDF version 0.26 includes the first beta release of the new purpose-built PDF parser. This release can be used alongside … Read more

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November 2016 by PDF Association staff
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Postscript took off like a rocket, but PDF took its time. Many people wondered “What’s it for?” In this video, … Read more

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November 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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ISO 32000 Project co-Leader and PDF Association member Peter Wyatt talks PDF 2.0 and the upcoming PDF Day Australia conference … Read more

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November 2016 by Duff Johnson
Duff Johnson
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Have you used veraPDF? Let the project’s funder know your views!

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