PDF/A (archival)

PDF/A is a specialized version of the standard PDF file format designed for long-term digital preservation. It ensures that documents remain consistent and accessible over time by embedding all necessary information—like fonts, colors, and images—within the file itself. Unlike regular PDFs, PDF/A does not allow features that could alter the document's appearance or behavior later, such as multimedia content or external links. This makes PDF/A ideal for archiving legal, medical, or official records, guaranteeing they can be reliably retrieved and viewed exactly as originally created, regardless of future software changes.