PDF/A format

[ErikJan]

Office can Export / Save-As PDF/A (a PDF format optimized for e.g. archiving).

There are different 'versions' of PDF/A. It seems that Office exports to PDF/A-1 (as the dialog indicates that), but there is an PDF/A-1a and a different PDF/A-1b format definition. I am unable to find what Office actually saves: 1a or 1b. I've read stuff that hints towards 1b but I see no formal place where this seems to be indicated. Can anyone help maybe?

[HansV]

According to Microsoft Support for PDF:

The PDF version that Office outputs depends on the print intent selected by the user:

• In most cases, Office uses PDF Version 1.5.
• In Publisher, saving with the Commercial Print intention, Office uses PDF Version 1.4.
• In Word and Publisher, if password protection is added to the PDF file, Office uses PDF Version 1.6.
• If saving as PDF/A, Office uses PDF Version 1.4, as specified in ISO 19005-1.

Office Save as PDF/A is compliant with ISO 19005-1. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher, and Visio are compliant with PDF/A-1a. Other applications output PDF/A-1b compliant PDF on Save As.

[ErikJan]

This is what I was told recently (by a non MS party):

Office 2007 uses PDF/A-1b
Office 2013 uses PDF/A-1a
Office 365 fails at PDF/A export