How to open a .pub file without Publisher
A .pub file is a Microsoft Publisher document. Since October 2026 Publisher is no longer part of Microsoft 365, so most people can no longer open these files on their own PC. Here are the ways that still work, starting with the one that needs no installation.
1. Convert it online (free PDF, one minute)
2. LibreOffice Draw (free, offline)
LibreOffice includes an import filter for Publisher files. Download LibreOffice from libreoffice.org, start LibreOffice Draw, choose File → Open and pick your .pub file. You can then File → Export as PDF, or copy text out of the text boxes. Expect the same strengths and limits as our previews: layouts and pictures come through well, WordArt does not.
3. Scribus (free, offline)
Scribus, the open-source desktop publishing program, can import .pub files through File → Import → Get Vector File. It is a professional layout tool, so it is a good home for documents you still want to design in.
4. Somebody with Publisher 2021
The perpetual version of Publisher (bought with Office 2021 or Office LTSC 2021) keeps working after its end of support on October 13, 2026. If a colleague has it, they can File → Save As → PDF, or save a copy as DOCX for you.
What converts well, and what doesn't
| Content | Word (.docx) | |
|---|---|---|
| Text boxes, headings, columns | Exact | Good, positions may shift |
| Pictures, logos, clip art | Exact | Kept as images |
| Tables | Exact | Usually recognised as tables |
| Shapes, borders, backgrounds | Exact | Converted to images or dropped |
| WordArt and text effects | Often missing | Missing |
| Master pages, page numbers | Mostly kept | Partly |
That is why every file shows a preview first. If the preview is wrong, don't pay: write to us and we will try it by hand, or use the free offline methods.
What happened to Microsoft Publisher
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | Publisher is removed from Microsoft 365 as the update rolls out. Subscribers can no longer open or edit .pub files in Publisher, and it can no longer be installed. |
| October 13, 2026 | Publisher 2021 (the perpetual licence sold with Office 2021 / Office LTSC 2021) reaches end of support together with Office 2021. It keeps working without updates or support. |
| Microsoft's advice | "Convert your existing files to another format": PDF to view, Word to keep editing. Microsoft's bulk script (Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1) only works on a PC that still has a licensed Publisher. |
Source: Microsoft's support article "Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026".
Related
FAQ
Can Microsoft Word open a .pub file?
No. Word cannot read the Publisher format. Convert the file to PDF or DOCX first; Word can open either.
Can I open a .pub file on an iPhone, iPad or Chromebook?
Yes, with this site: upload the file in Safari or Chrome, download the PDF, and open it in any PDF viewer.
Is there a free Publisher viewer from Microsoft?
Not any more. Microsoft retired the Publisher viewer years ago and now points users to converting their files to PDF or Word.
Do I need Microsoft Publisher installed?
No. Everything runs on our server. You only need a browser and the .pub file.
Which Publisher versions are supported?
Files saved by Publisher 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and Microsoft 365. Very old Publisher 97/98/2000 files sometimes work, sometimes not; the preview will tell you.
Is it safe to upload my files?
Files are stored encrypted at rest on Cloudflare, processed by our converter, and deleted automatically after 7 days. Nobody looks at them. See the privacy policy.