How to Fix ‘Document Language Metadata Primary Sub Tag Unknown Error’ in PAC 2024

A common issue encountered when working with PDFs is the “Document Language Metadata Primary Sub Tag is Unknown” error in the PAC 2024 tool. This guide provides a step-by-step solution to fix this error, specifically focusing on documents written in languages such as Irish.

Video Guide

In digital accessibility, ensuring that document metadata is correctly set is essential. The PAC 2024 tool often flags an error when the primary language sub-tag in the metadata is unknown or incorrect. This issue typically arises from using non-standard language codes. Fix this error by correctly setting the ISO language shortcode in Adobe Acrobat.

Understanding the Error

What is the PAC 2024 Tool?

The PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker) 2024 tool is a software application used to verify the accessibility of PDF documents. It checks for compliance with various accessibility standards, including WCAG 2.1 AA.

The Error: Document Language Metadata Primary Sub Tag Unknown

This error occurs when the language metadata in the PDF is not recognized. It usually happens when a non-standard or incorrect language code is used. Instead of the full language name, the ISO 639-1 two-letter language code should be used.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Error

1. Access Document Properties in Adobe Acrobat

1. Open Adobe Acrobat: Start by opening the PDF document in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Open Document Properties:
   • Click on the File menu.
   • Then select Properties.
   • Go to the Advanced tab.

2. Correct the Language Metadata

1. Identify the Correct ISO Language Code:
   • ISO 639-1 is the standard for language codes. For example, the code for Irish is “GA”.
2. Update the Language Metadata:
   • In the Advanced tab, find the language metadata field.
   • Replace the incorrect language name with the ISO 639-1 code. For Irish, enter “GA”.

3. Save the Changes

1. Save the Updated PDF:
   • Click OK to close the properties window.
   • Save the document by selecting File > Save.

4. Re-Check the Accessibility in PAC 2024

1. Run the Accessibility Check:
   • Open the PAC 2024 tool.
   • Then load the updated PDF.
   • Run the full accessibility check.
2. Verify the Error is Resolved:
   • Verify the “Document Language Metadata Primary Sub Tag is Unknown” error no longer appears.
   • Identify any accessibility issues and address them accordingly.

5. Additional Validation Steps

1. Check Document Tags:
   • Open the Tags panel in Adobe Acrobat.
   • Correctly tag all headings, paragraphs, and lists.
2. Check Color Contrast:
   • Use a color contrast analyzer tool to ensure that text meets the required contrast ratios for accessibility.
3. Validate Hyperlinks:
   • Add descriptive text to hyperlinks and tag them correctly.

Conclusion

Fixing the “Document Language Metadata Primary Sub Tag is Unknown” error in PAC 2024 involves correctly setting the ISO language shortcode in the PDF’s metadata. Ensure that your PDF documents are more accessible and compliant with accessibility standards, by following these steps. This helps with passing accessibility checks and makes your content more inclusive.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!