Just thinking out loud here, but can we get an option on Pages and Preview where we can change and export files to PDF/A (that is, a PDF suitable for archiving)? Microsoft Word has this option. And LibreOffice, but it's too clunky. Then there's Adobe, but you have to pay a hefty yearly subscription.
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PDF/A
- Thread starter otherguy5
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Not sure what you mean by "can we get an option ...". You can suggest this to Apple via its feedback site if that's what you had intended.
Please enlighten me, how is a PDF/A different from a PDF? I'm curious.
Nevermind, I just googled it.
It is my understanding that if you go to Print-Save as PDF, the result will be a self contained PDF file that would comply with the requisites for PDF/A. I might be wrong.
Nevermind, I just googled it.
It is my understanding that if you go to Print-Save as PDF, the result will be a self contained PDF file that would comply with the requisites for PDF/A. I might be wrong.
PDF/A is a specific industry standard of non-editable PDF document format, required for example for legl and regulatory digital signature traceability. Being an embedded archive document, the content and format will always be same as what was signed.
As mentioned before, I would also suggest a print-to-PDF to achieve this. Which is already part of macOS. Which is good news!
It's already there, at least in Catalina.
- In Preview, hit Print (Command + P)
- In the lower-left of the print dialog window, click the drop-down PDF menu and select Save As Adobe PDF (NOT Save As PDF).
- In the small dialog box that pops up, choose Adobe PDF Settings: and select PDF/X-1a:2001 from the drop-down menu (you could also choose a variety of other formats).
If print-save as pdf does not convince you, may I suggest PDF Pen?
In my workflow I use PDFPen from smile software (less than 80 bucks for the Mac, and its not a subscription), and they have the option to "flatten" the PDF, sounds similar to the PDF/A format.
EDIT: I just read again the link I posted, and the Pro version (129 USD) has the option to export as PDF/A. I'm a moron, sorry.
In my workflow I use PDFPen from smile software (less than 80 bucks for the Mac, and its not a subscription), and they have the option to "flatten" the PDF, sounds similar to the PDF/A format.
EDIT: I just read again the link I posted, and the Pro version (129 USD) has the option to export as PDF/A. I'm a moron, sorry.