1
I was exploring the setting for my printer/scanner, and there is an option to make all scans PDF/A Compliant. Having never heard of this, I looked it up.
I understand that PDF/A is a method of saving PDF files with no external references, to ensure long term support of data storage, but is it still a normal PDF file that all programs can read, or is there something that could cause some software to not open it.
user173724
Posted 2019-08-21T20:43:57.200
Reputation: 408
2
Any statement about all things (e.g. all PDF readers) is unprovable. However, it would seem sensible that including information such as fonts and images within a document, i.e., PDF/A, is more likely to be readable: it prevents issues such as a font not being installed, or an image being taken offline.
However, you can test this assumption. Produce a document and try opening it in some common free PDF readers:
DrMoishe Pippik
Posted 2019-08-21T20:43:57.200
Reputation: 13 291
0
Somehow I overlooked this page on the PDF Association website when I was googling PDF/A. It clearly states
Do I have to purchase an application to display PDF/A files?
No. All PDF viewers are capable of displaying PDF/A files.
user173724
Posted 2019-08-21T20:43:57.200
Reputation: 408
Cool. I will check that out. But just so I am clear, it is still the same as a normal PDF file, just with stuff built in right? – user173724 – 2019-08-21T23:51:34.360
Apparently -- actually, it's more like a normal PDF with certain "extras" Adobe created forbidden, because it might break other readers, from the Wikipedia description. – DrMoishe Pippik – 2019-08-22T01:34:59.733