---
type: concept
title: PDF Form Standards
tags: [pdf, xfa, iso-32000-2, accessibility]
related: [universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]
created: 2026-07-01
updated: 2026-07-01
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_support_dokumentation_anleitungen_pdf_formulare.md"]
---

# PDF Form Standards

PDF form standards determine how interactive documents are rendered across different software and devices. A critical distinction exists between standard PDF forms and those based on the XML Forms Architecture (XFA).

## XFA (XML Forms Architecture)
XFA is a non-standard PDF form format that allows for advanced dynamic layouts. However, it suffers from significant compatibility issues:
- **Browser Incompatibility:** Most modern web browsers cannot render XFA forms natively, often resulting in a "Please wait..." error message.
- **Obsolescence:** XFA was officially declared obsolete by the **ISO 32000-2 (PDF 2.0)** standard in 2017.
- **Software Requirements:** Viewing XFA forms typically requires specialized software, such as **Adobe Acrobat Reader**.

## Recommended Alternatives
To ensure that documents are accessible and functional across all end-devices and operating systems, the following practices are recommended:
- **Avoid XFA:** Form creators should explicitly avoid using XFA-based standards.
- **HTML5 Compatibility:** For interactive forms, the use of **HTML5-compatible** formats is recommended to ensure maximum cross-platform compatibility.

## Institutional Support Policy
At the Universität Greifswald, the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]] provides support for central IT infrastructure but is generally not responsible for the creation or technical fixing of decentralized PDF forms. Users encountering issues with specific forms should contact the respective publisher.
