PDFA File Extension
PDF/A Document
- File Type pdfa
- Developer Adobe Systems Incorporated
- Popularity
- Application Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Category Document Files
What is a PDFA file?
The PDFA file extension is linked to PDF/A Document and belongs to the Document Files category, which includes 969 files.
Adobe, the developer of the PDF/A Document (PDFA), has released file format and 81 programs designed to handle them.
PDFA files are supported by Windows and Mac OS. There are 3 programs available to open a PDFA file, including popular tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, Nitro Pro and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
Programs that support PDFA files
How to open a PDFA file?
If you are having trouble opening a PDFA file, it usually means the right software is not installed. Choose a program from the list that matches your operating system. Next, visit the official website of the developer, download the software, and install it on your device.
The most popular programs for working with PDFA files are Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, Nitro Pro and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. To install the current version of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, go directly to the official Adobe website. The universal package for all operating systems is available there.
After setup, the operating system should recognize PDFA files and link them with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
Setting Adobe Acrobat Pro DC as default PDFA viewer
Changing the default program in Windows
- Right-click on your PDFA file and choose the "Open With" option. Then click "Choose another app" to continue the process;
- Choose Adobe Acrobat Pro DC from the available applications listed in the pop-up window to set it as the default application to open your PDFA file;
- Be sure to check the "Always use this app" checkbox, and then click "OK" to confirm your selection.
Change the default app for a file type in Mac
- Initiate a right click or use Control + left click on the desired PDFA file to open a menu where you can select various actions;
- Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
- Scroll down to the bottom of the window, and there you will find the "Enable" menu. The default selection is "Recommended Programs";
- Choose "All Programs" within this menu and locate Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to set it as the default program.
How to edit a PDFA file?
To edit PDFA files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify document files. Online PDFA editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for PDF/A Document.
Best PDFA editors in 2026
Based on your described criteria, here is a list of available PDFA editors.
| PDFA Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adobe Acrobat Pro DC | Adobe | Windows, Mac OS | 4.4 out of 5 (35 reviews) |
| Nitro Pro | Nitro | Windows | 4.4 out of 5 (36 reviews) |
Tips and tricks to solve problems with PDFA files
PDFA files can sometimes be tricky, but minor software adjustments usually resolve the issues. Refer to the tips below for guidance.
Are there any symptoms that my PDFA file is damaged?
Corrupted PDFA document files may have one or more of the following symptoms:
- File hangs or crashes in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or other programs;
- Error dialogs are displayed when interacting with the file;
- The file does not open or opens with errors;
- Unexplained increase in PDFA file size;
- Poor performance when editing a file in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC;
Why does Adobe Acrobat Pro DC crash or shut down frequently?
The absence of software updates can cause Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to crash. It is recommended to install the latest available updates for Adobe products.
Restarting your computer is an essential troubleshooting step that can resolve many common problems. It is recommended to restart your computer before making any changes to the software settings.
Is there any specific software or utility that can help repair a damaged PDFA file?
Start a data recovery program and open the damaged PDFA file. Go to the menu and select the "Repair" option to repair the file. Then wait for the recovery process to complete, which allows you to automatically repair corrupted document files.