Enable Read-Only PDF Handling: Convert your PDFs to PDF/A for reliable, protected archiving and permanent preservation. Select the PDF/A conformance level that aligns with your protection requirements.
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With PdfRo, securely convert standard PDFs to the PDF/A format for long-term, read-only preservation. Select the ISO-compliant PDF/A level that best supports protected, view-only sharing.
ISO - standardized PDF/A
Convert PDFs to PDF/A free
TLS encryption for secure document processing
Secure Read-Only PDF/A Conversion for Protected Long-Term Access
Read-Only PDF Handling with PDF/A ensures content integrity and stable, view-only access for long-term preservation. Unlike standard PDFs, it enforces protection features to maintain non-modifiable state, embedding fonts as required to ensure readability decades into the future. PdfRo provides a secure and reliable path to achieve this.
Secure, Free PDF/A Conversion
Secure, read-only PDF handling. No need for costly software. The conversion process is protected by TLS encryption, and your uploaded files are permanently deleted within one hour, ensuring integrity, privacy, and safe, view-only access.
Works Across Windows, Mac, Linux & Mobile
Across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices, PdfRo provides a consistent, secure read-only experience in any browser. Convert PDFs to the archival PDF/A format instantly - with no installation required.
Preserve Your Files with PdfRo
Use PdfRo to create durable, read-only PDF/A files that adhere to international archival standards. Select from multiple ISO PDF/A levels to preserve content integrity and ensure long-term protection.
PDF/A - The ISO - Standard Archival Format
Guarantee long-term accessibility with PDF/A, the official ISO-standard archival format. PdfRo supports major conformance levels including PDF/A - 1b, PDF/A - 2b, and PDF/A - 3b, enabling secure, read-only preservation that matches your protection needs.
Convert to PDF/A Anytime with PdfRo
All conversions occur in a secure cloud environment, keeping your device free from processing load while maintaining control over access. After creating your PDF/A file, you can further apply compression or password-protected, read-only sharing for enhanced security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This PDF to PDF/A converter is free to use online within a secure, read-only workflow. You can convert PDF files to the PDF/A standard without registration or software installation.
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized format designed for long-term document archiving with read-only access. It ensures fonts, colors, and content are embedded to preserve integrity and accuracy for reliable future access.
Yes. All files are processed over secure HTTPS connections with strict privacy controls. Uploaded PDFs and PDF/A-converted files are automatically deleted from our servers after a short retention period to ensure privacy, security, and protected, read-only sharing.
How to securely convert a pdf to pdf/a for read-only use?
To convert a PDF to PDF/A format for free with read-only protection, use the online tool PdfRo. Here is a secure, step-by-step guide:
Click to select or drag & drop to securely upload your PDF files into our PDF to PDF/A conversion tool, with TLS-encrypted transfer and read-only handling.
In the conversion settings, choose the PDF/A format that supports Read-Only PDF Handling. Common options include PDF/A - 1b, PDF/A - 1a, PDF/A - 2b, PDF/A - 2u, PDF/A - 2a, or PDF/A - 3b, PDF/A - 3u, PDF/A - 3a to ensure archival integrity, content preservation, and protection from unwanted modifications.
Click 'Convert to PDF/A' to begin the process. The resulting file will be prepared with read-only protection to safeguard content integrity. Processing may take a moment for larger files or during peak usage.
Your read-only PDF will be prepared shortly. You can download the protected PDF/A file or share a secure, view-only link to maintain protection.
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PDF to PDF/A
PDF/A is an ISO - standardized version of PDF designed for secure archiving and safeguarding electronic documents for many years to come.
Select the PDF/A conformance level you’d like to apply for read-only preservation and protected viewing:
Uses PDF 1.4. Level B conformance ensures essential visual fidelity while meeting secure standards for protected viewing and controlled sharing:
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level B (basic) conformance requirements plus features that support secure, read-only handling and safer sharing:
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for secure, verifiable signatures aligned with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling controlled authenticity while preserving read-only integrity.
Option to embed PDF/A files to support secure, centralized archival while maintaining read-only, controlled access to the complete set.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level B (basic) conformance requirements plus features that enable strict read-only viewing and protected distribution:
Text has unicode mapping
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for secure, verifiable signatures aligned with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling controlled authenticity while preserving read-only integrity.
Option to embed PDF/A files to support secure, centralized archival while maintaining read-only, controlled access to the complete set.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level A (accessible) conformance requirements plus new features to enable Read-Only PDF Handling, protecting PDFs from unwanted modifications while preserving accessibility and content integrity.
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for secure, verifiable signatures aligned with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling controlled authenticity while preserving read-only integrity.
Option to embed PDF/A files to support secure, centralized archival while maintaining read-only, controlled access to the complete set.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level B (basic) conformance. The Level B conformance requirements plus Read-Only PDF Handling features to support secure, view-only access and content protection.
Enables secure embedding of XML, CSV, CAD, word-processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and other file formats into PDF/A conformance documents while preserving read-only protections and integrity.
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for secure, verifiable signatures aligned with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling controlled authenticity while preserving read-only integrity.
Option to embed PDF/A files to support secure, centralized archival while maintaining read-only, controlled access to the complete set.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level B (basic) conformance. The Level B conformance requirements plus Read-Only PDF Handling enhancements to support secure, view-only access and content protection.
Text has unicode mapping
Enables secure embedding of XML, CSV, CAD, word-processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and other file formats into PDF/A conformance documents while preserving read-only protections and integrity.
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for secure, verifiable signatures aligned with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling controlled authenticity while preserving read-only integrity.
Option to embed PDF/A files to support secure, centralized archival while maintaining read-only, controlled access to the complete set.
Based on a PDF 1.7 (ISO 32000 - 1). Level A (accessible) conformance requirements plus new features to enable Read-Only PDF Handling, ensuring accessible, view-only access with content protection.
Enables secure embedding of XML, CSV, CAD, word-processing documents, spreadsheet documents, and other file formats into PDF/A conformance documents while preserving read-only protections and integrity.
JPEG 2000 image compression
Support for transparency effects and layers
Embedding of OpenType fonts
Provisions for secure, verifiable signatures aligned with PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures, enabling controlled authenticity while preserving read-only integrity.
Option to embed PDF/A files to support secure, centralized archival while maintaining read-only, controlled access to the complete set.
PDF/A-4 built on PDF 2.0 (ISO 32000-2) conformance requirements plus features for Read-Only PDF Handling, secure sharing, and preserved integrity.
Better supports archiving of fillable forms
Simplifies the handling of digital signatures
Enhanced XMP metadata to store comprehensive, protection-aware metadata for document management and archival purposes, supporting integrity and traceability in read-only contexts.
Enables secure embedding of other PDF/A files and supplementary materials while maintaining read-only protection and controlled sharing.
Ensures accurate color reproduction across devices while upholding view-only and protection requirements.
Ensures that PDF/A-4 documents remain readable by PDF 2.0 compliant viewers within a protected, read-only workflow.
Interoperability across different systems and platforms.
PDF/A - 4e Read-Only Ready based on a PDF 2.0 PDF/A - 4 (ISO 32000 - 2) conformance requirements plus secure, protective features for read-only handling:
Supports read-only safe viewing with protections for Rich Media and 3D Annotations, as well as embedded files, to preserve integrity.
PDF/A - 4f Read-Only Ready based on a PDF 2.0 PDF/A - 4 (ISO 32000 - 2) conformance requirements plus secure, protective features for read-only handling:
Allows embedding of alternative formats within a protected, view-only container to preserve integrity.
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