This question was addressed at a presentation at DrupalSouth Community Day in Canberra, 13 Nov 2024.
HTML is generally favoured for its accessibility and user-friendliness compared to PDF formats. However, there are instances where PDFs may still be suitable.
While PDFs can present challenges such as limited scalability, slower loading times, and navigation and search engine optimisation difficulties, it is possible to create accessible PDFs with the right tools and practices. This approach may not always be practical or feasible for every type of content.
Although our preference is to create content in HTML first, certain scenarios may necessitate the use of PDFs. This could be driven by specific audience needs or the complexity of the content, particularly in large and demanding documents. The optimal strategy involves making the content management system (CMS) the primary source of information by transforming content into appropriate HTML layouts and structures. The aim is to strike a balance between accessibility and practicality, allowing all users to effectively access information.
Find out more about content transformation strategies by downloading the slides.