Open Access

Accepted file formats

Your file must be readable with standard reader programs.
OPUS currently supports the following file formats: pdf, doc(x), xls(x), zip, avi, mp3, mp4, txt, jpg, 7z, tgz

No security settings / no DRM measures

The document must not be copy protected or otherwise protected against access. This is a requirement stipulated by the German National Library in order to be able to ensure long-term archiving of the document.

If your work contains programs, files, video clips, audio files or similar on a CD annex,

they must be prepared for publication as a compressed file in ZIP format and also uploaded with the document.

File size limit for uploads

The system only accepts uploads up to a size limit of 250 MB. If you have larger files you would like to submit, please skip the ‘upload document’ step during the publication process and send us the document on CD, DVD or by way of a web storage provider.

Uploading file(s)

If you encounter problems during the upload process of your files, please fill in the rest of the form anyway and send your file(s) by e-mail to Carola Bauch-Schuster.

Documents in OPUS are generally published as PDF files. In order to ensure compatibility for long-term archiving, the respective document must be saved as a standard barrier-free PDF/A file. PDF/A is an international standard that was specifically designed for document archiving. By saving the document as a PDF/A file, it is ensured that the file is still readable even when opened on a computer that does not have the used font types installed. In this case, all fonts and images used in the document are embedded and the metadata is saved in a standardized format.

Creating PDF/A-Files

If you are unable to save your document as PDF/A file, please send us your document as a “normal” PDF file and we will convert it for you.

Most word processing programs allow saving the document as PDF/A file:

• Microsoft Word (from version 2010): Office → Save as → Save as Adobe PDF → Button „Options“ → Check off under PDF Options „ISO 19005-1 compliant (PDF/A)“
• OpenOffice.org: File → Export as PDF → General → Check off under „PDF/A-1“.
• LaTeX: You can also save your document as a PDF/A using pdfTeX.

In Adobe Acrobat (must not be confused with Acrobat Reader, in which you can only read PDF documents, but not edit them), you can create a PDF/A file under File → Save as → PDF for Archiving (PDF/A). Alternatively, you can use conversion programs free of charge that allow you to convert different file types to PDF/A.

Tipps and Tricks for creating PDF Files

• Please do not lock your PDF for printing or copying. These “security settings” will not protect you from misuse of your text. They will only lead to the fact that your document cannot be found by the full-text search in OPUS; this means that it is much more difficult to find your publication.
• Please ensure that the document properties (File → Properties or File → Document properties) contain useful information regarding title and author.
• For further information on the PDF format and on how to create PDF files, the University of Freiburg has published an online tutorial: "Publizieren im PDF-Format".
• Please note: It is not possible to embed audio and video files in barrier-free PDFs. Please contact us if your publication contains such files.

Editing PDFs

Many steps are only possible with PDF creation software (usually only available for a fee) such as Adobe Acrobat:

• Combining several PDF files
• Deleting, renumbering or rotating pages in a PDF file
• Correcting small typos directly in the PDF file
• Preparing the document for professional printing