What this page does and does not do
Why Publisher files are harder to open now
Method 1: Export to PDF from Publisher
Method 2: Open the file in LibreOffice Draw
Method 3: Use an online converter
PUB and EPUB are different formats
Features explained
Choose or drop a file
Click the box to pick a file, or drag one onto it. One file at a time. This is only used to check the name, so you do not need it to follow the steps.
Extension check
The page accepts names ending in .pub, in any letter case. Anything else shows an error message and a button to choose another file. It does not check that the file is a genuine Publisher document.
Three conversion methods
After a .pub file is detected, you see the file name and three cards: export from Publisher, use LibreOffice Draw, or try an online converter.
Links to outside sites
The LibreOffice and online converter cards each have a button that opens the site in a new tab. These are external websites, not part of this tool.
Start over
A "Choose a different file" button clears the file name and returns to the upload box.
What can you use it for?
Sending a flyer or brochure
Turn a Publisher design into a PDF that anyone can open on a phone or computer.
Printing without Publisher
Get a PDF you can take to a print shop or print from any computer.
Saving old .pub files
Make PDF copies of Publisher files you still need before the software becomes harder to find.
Opening a .pub file on a Mac
Use LibreOffice or an online converter, since Publisher itself is not available for Mac.
Tool information
| Tool type | Guide with a helper; does not convert files |
|---|---|
| Input | A .pub file name (extension check only) |
| Output | None; shows three conversion methods |
| File contents read | No; only the file name is used |
| File uploaded by this tool | No |
| Upload methods | Click to choose, or drag and drop |
| Files at a time | One |
| Maximum file size | No limit; the file is not read |
| Methods shown | Publisher export, LibreOffice Draw, online converter (Zamzar link) |
| External links | Open in a new tab |
| Account required | No sign-in step in the tool |
Benefits
- Shows the options in one place, so you do not have to compare many sites.
- Includes a free method that needs no Publisher licence.
- The page itself never uploads or reads your file.
- Tells you up front what each method costs you: layout risk or an upload.
Limitations
- The page does not convert files. You have to follow one of the methods yourself.
- The check is based on the file name only, so a renamed file would pass.
- LibreOffice may shift complex layouts, fonts or effects. Check every page of the PDF.
- Online converters upload your file to a third party and set their own limits and policies.
- Publisher itself is no longer part of Microsoft 365, so Method 1 only works if you have a perpetual copy.
- The links point to outside websites that can change or move.
What the page checks
The only check is whether the file name ends in .pub. The page does not verify the file type, size or contents. The outside links open in a new tab with the noopener, noreferrer and nofollow settings.
Privacy
This page does not read, open or upload the file you choose; it only looks at the file name in your browser. If you use the LibreOffice or online converter links, you leave this tool. An online converter will receive any file you upload there and handles it under its own policy. Other scripts on the site, such as analytics or ads, are not part of this tool.
Tips
- Keep the original .pub file after converting.
- Use Method 1 or 2 for private documents, because Method 3 uploads the file.
- Open the PDF and scroll through every page before sending it.
- If fonts look wrong, install the fonts used in the original before converting with LibreOffice.
Frequently asked questions
Does this page convert my Publisher file?
No. It is a guide. Choosing a file only checks that the name ends in .pub and then shows three methods you can follow.
Is my file uploaded when I choose it here?
No. This page does not read or upload it; only the file name is used. If you then use an online converter from the links, that service receives whatever you upload to it.
Do I need to choose a file to read the instructions?
No. All the steps are on this page. The file box only checks the name and shows the three method cards.
Can I convert a .pub file to PDF without Publisher?
Yes. LibreOffice Draw can open many .pub files and export them as PDF, and online converters such as Zamzar accept .pub uploads. Results depend on the file.
Will the layout stay the same after conversion?
Publisher’s own export is the safest for layout. LibreOffice and online converters may shift overlapping text boxes, unusual fonts or effects, so check the PDF.
Can I still use Publisher?
Microsoft 365 subscribers lost access after 1 October 2026. Perpetual versions such as Publisher 2021 can still be installed and used, but support ends on 13 October 2026. Check Microsoft’s support page for the latest.
Is it safe to use an online converter?
It uploads your file to a third party, so it is not suitable for confidential documents. Read the site’s privacy policy and limits first, or use Publisher or LibreOffice instead.
Is a .pub file the same as an .epub file?
No. .pub is a Microsoft Publisher document and .epub is an ebook format. This guide covers Publisher files only.
Can I open a .pub file on a Mac?
Publisher has never been available for Mac. LibreOffice, which also runs on macOS, or an online converter are the options.