Using \DocumentMetadata in LaTeX 2026 for Modern PDFs

% \DocumentMetadata MUST be the very first command
\DocumentMetadata{
    lang = en-US,           % Document language
    pdfstandard = a-2b,     % PDF/A-2b compliance
    pdfversion = 2.0,       % Use PDF 2.0 standard
    testphase = {phase-III}, % Enable structure tagging (phase III)
}
\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{hyperref}  % Enhanced by DocumentMetadata automatically

\begin{document}

\title{A Modern LaTeX Document}
\author{Author Name}
\date{2026}
\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
This document uses \texttt{\textbackslash DocumentMetadata} to produce
a tagged, PDF/A-compliant output suitable for archival and accessibility.
\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}
With the modern LaTeX kernel, headings, paragraphs, lists, and tables
are automatically tagged without additional packages.

\begin{itemize}
    \item Lists are tagged as \texttt{L}, \texttt{LI}, \texttt{Lbl} elements.
    \item Sections become \texttt{H1}, \texttt{H2}, etc.
    \item Paragraphs are wrapped in \texttt{P} tags.
\end{itemize}

\end{document}

% === Option A: PDF/A for archival (journals, dissertations) ===
\DocumentMetadata{
    lang = en-US,
    pdfstandard = a-2b,       % PDF/A-2b: widely accepted archival format
    pdfversion = 1.7,         % Compatible PDF version
    testphase = {phase-III},
}

% === Option B: PDF/UA for accessibility ===
\DocumentMetadata{
    lang = en-US,
    pdfstandard = ua-1,       % PDF/UA-1: universal accessibility
    pdfversion = 1.7,
    testphase = {phase-III},
}

% === Option C: Maximum modern features ===
\DocumentMetadata{
    lang = en-US,
    pdfstandard = a-4,        % PDF/A-4 (based on PDF 2.0)
    pdfversion = 2.0,
    testphase = {phase-III},
    uncompress,               % Uncompressed (for debugging structure)
}

\documentclass{article}

\begin{document}
\section{Standards Reference}
\begin{description}
    \item[PDF/A-2b] Archival. Embeds fonts, restricts features for long-term preservation.
    \item[PDF/UA-1] Accessibility. Requires complete tagging, alt text, reading order.
    \item[PDF/A-4] Latest archival standard based on PDF 2.0.
\end{description}
\end{document}

% \DocumentMetadata can conflict with some packages.
% Here's how to handle common issues:

\DocumentMetadata{
    lang = en-US,
    pdfstandard = a-2b,
    pdfversion = 1.7,
    testphase = {phase-III},
}
\documentclass{article}

% hyperref is auto-loaded by DocumentMetadata.
% Don't load it again — just configure it:
\hypersetup{
    colorlinks = true,
    linkcolor = blue,
    citecolor = green!50!black,
    urlcolor = purple,
}

% Some packages need specific loading order:
\usepackage{amsmath}     % Load before cleveref
\usepackage{amsthm}
\usepackage{cleveref}    % Works with DocumentMetadata

% graphicx works normally
\usepackage{graphicx}

% biblatex works but verify with your style
\usepackage[backend=biber, style=numeric]{biblatex}

\begin{document}
\section{Compatibility Notes}
Most standard packages work. Check the LaTeX tagging project
status page for known incompatibilities.

If a package causes errors, try updating to the latest version first.
\end{document}