Switchboard: Embedded files - Create file package
Acting like containers, PDFs of version 1.7 and above can contain embedded files.
PDF/A-2 allows you to embed other PDF files; PDF/A-3 allows you to embed (source) files in other formats such as Office documents.
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/891/842/original/21e5b097-6170-46fd-839c-870c1d5cdbfb.png)
The Embedded files group lets you create file packages, embed files and extract files.
Embedded files are of interest for fields such as digital invoicing (ZUGFeRD).
Open the Switchboard
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/891/835/original/ff0eb25d-6855-40ad-9bd7-429e89647e5a.png)
In pdfaPilot standalone, open the switchboard via Tools > Switchboard in the menu or use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+2.
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/891/833/original/249c14a6-e3c7-40f1-b2fe-31b1a2e1eb81.png)
If you are using pdfaPilot as an Acrobat plug-in, you can open the switchboard via Plug-Ins > pdfaPilot <version number> Switchboard.
The “Create file package” Action
The Create file package Action lets you create PDF and PDF/A files which in turn act as containers for additional files.
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/891/831/original/7fb9c66f-e0a5-4aeb-ac32-9367950caa8d.png)
Click Create file package to open a settings dialog.
![](https://media.screensteps.com/image_assets/assets/000/891/837/original/141378d2-23e3-458b-a5b8-1d91d4514971.png)
- Two options are available under Index page layout: Classic layout and User-defined layout.
- Under PDF/A compatibility, you can select the desired PDF or PDF/A version.
- The Relationship can only be set if you have selected PDF/A-3-level compatibility above. The options here are: Source, Data, Alternative, Attachment or Unknown.
This defines the embedded file's “relationship” with the primary document. - The output file can be set under Select folder by clicking Browse.
- Click Execute to start the conversion process.