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BETA

Validate that PDF!

  1. Drop a PDF onto the page, or click
  2. We analyze and verify it, for free
  3. Share the results with anyone
We check for...

Universal Accessibility

Check PDF/UA-1 and PDF/UA-2 compliance, browse the structure tree.

Archival Quality

Check PDF/A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 compliance.

Security

Verify digital signatures and timestamps.
A color-coded summary of how well the PDF passes tests for Accessibility, PDF/A, Security and ConstructionUASC

Construction

Verify the file is valid, check for errors. Test against the Arlington Model.
FormsForms
TreeTree
AttachmentsAttachments
LayersLayers
PDF/XPDF/X
Factur-XFactur-X ZUGFeRDZUGFeRD
XFAXFA

What is this for?

PDF is more than just a document format; it's a container for digital signatures, attached files and more. This site lets you browse some of that data, often hidden in online PDF viewers (here's a sample PDF and its analysis).

Many PDF workflows require the document to be compliant with PDF/A (the long-term archive version of PDF, for documents that need to be stored) and/or PDF/UA (the accessible version of PDF, for use with screen-readers and other accessibility technology). This site will verify any claim of compliance to ensure the claim is valid.

... and we check a lot more than just PDF/A and PDF/UA!
  • Digital signature and timestamp validation, including long-term validation status
  • Factur-X / ZUGFeRD validation
  • PDF/X validation
  • Arlington Model validation
  • Structure Tree browser, with support for namespaces, role-maps and class-maps
  • XMP Metadata browser
  • Display the PDF Form, or download as JSON
  • View and download embedded files (attached anywhere in the PDF)
  • View and download XFA content
  • View and download PDF JavaScript
  • Browse optional-content layers
  • See which fonts and ICC colorspaces are used in the file
  • Page annotations, actions and measurement dictionaries (for geospatial PDF)
  • Inspect named destinations, document bookmarks, encryption details
  • ... and over 800 other features

How does this work

BFO
This is a demonstration of the PDF Library. by BFO. We've been writing PDF software since 1999 and specialize in PDF/A and PDF/UA, so wanted to show what we can do. The file is uploaded to our server, analyzed and we return the results.

Is it secure?

After we create the analysis we delete the PDF. However the analysis itself contains a lot of the PDF detail; metadata, attached files, sometimes the text content of the PDF. So don't upload anything confidential.

If you manage to crash our software we'll keep the PDF to see why, but this is unlikely: we've now analyzed millions of PDF files, and actively seek out PDF files designed to cause problems.

Is it accurate?

Yes! BFO are active members of the working groups for PDF/A and PDF/UA. We were the first company to release a PDF/UA-2 validator, and the first to turn HTML into PDF/UA-2 compliant PDF. This is what we specialize in.

What about limitations?

Files are limited to 2MB for this demo, and we rate limit on the server (but analysis is very quick so you might not notice) and in the browser (that's the spinning progress wheel).
Want more? This is just an application we built with our PDF Library. If you want to do verification at scale, or convert PDF to PDF/A or bitmap, convert HTML to PDF, sign PDFs and more, we have some rock-solid tools for that. Talk to us, we can help.

A file is "not compliant". How do I make it valid?

If a file claims to be compliant with PDF/A but isn't, it's possible to repair it automatically (we did a study on it if you're interested).

If a file claims to be compliant with PDF/UA but isn't, the repair may require manual intervention. All content in an accessible PDF must be tagged with the correct tags, but determining what's correct isn't an automated process. Tagging the content is called remediation; errors remaining after remediation may be repairable automatically.

We can do repairs with our PDF Library, so talk to us if you want to know more.

Why an octopus?

Mildly humorous comic-strip of a software developer getting annoyed with a glamorous octopus at a party, and resolving to do something about it

... if it's all too much, engage corporate mode by clicking on the tie in the top-left corner.

A password is required to open this file.