Convert PDF to PDF/A with Nutrient Document Web Services API on Zapier

What is Zapier?

Zapier is an automation platform that connects your favorite apps and services with no code required. You can build “Zaps” to automate repetitive tasks by setting up triggers and actions between apps like Google Drive, Slack, Gmail, and more.

In this tutorial, you’ll use Zapier to automatically convert PDF files to PDF/A format with Nutrient API.

What is the Nutrient API?

Nutrient Document Web Services API is a robust document automation platform. With a free account, you get 100 credits to perform document operations like format conversion, signing, OCR, redaction, and more.

Why PDF/A?

PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF designed for long-term preservation and archiving. It ensures documents can be reliably rendered in the future. Supported conformance levels include:

• pdfa-1a, pdfa-1b

• pdfa-2a, pdfa-2b, pdfa-2u

• pdfa-3a, pdfa-3b, pdfa-3u

What you’ll need

• A Zapier account (Pro plan required for multi-step Zaps)

• A Google Drive account

• A PDF file uploaded to a Google Drive folder

• A Nutrient Document Web Services API key — sign up here

Step 1 — Trigger a new file in Google Drive

1. Choose Google Drive as the trigger app.

2. Select the New File in Folder trigger event.

3. Connect your Google Drive account.

4. Configure the trigger:

   • Choose your drive and the folder to monitor (e.g. pdf-to-pdfa).

• Make sure Include Deleted Files is set to Only return non-deleted files

5. Test the trigger to confirm Zapier detects your sample PDF file.

Step 2 — Convert to PDF/A (Nutrient API)

1. Select Nutrient Document Web Services API as the action app.

2. Choose the Convert PDF to PDF/A action.

3. Connect your Nutrient API account using your API key.

You can find your API key in the Nutrient dashboard.

4. Fill in the fields:

   • PDF File URL — Use the file from step 1.

   • Conformance Level — Choose a value like pdfa-1b, pdfa-2a, or pdfa-3u.

   • Output File Name — Optional (e.g. archived_file.pdf).

5. Test the step to verify the file is successfully converted.

Step 3 — Upload PDF/A to Google Drive

1. Add Google Drive as the app.

2. Select the Upload File action.

3. Choose the drive and folder where the new PDF/A should be saved.

4. In the File field, use the output from the Nutrient API step.

5. Run a test to make sure the PDF/A file is saved correctly.

Conclusion

With this Zap, you’ve automated the conversion of PDF files to PDF/A for reliable archiving using Nutrient API. You can extend this workflow to include additional steps for OCR, signing, or metadata extraction.