Guides
Plain-English help with opening, converting and editing Microsoft Publisher files now that Publisher has been retired.
The best Microsoft Publisher alternatives in 2026
Honest comparison of Microsoft Publisher alternatives: Word, Canva, Affinity, Scribus, LibreOffice Draw, InDesign and more, and which open .pub files.
Read the guideHow to bulk convert Publisher (.pub) files to PDF
Batch convert an archive of .pub files to PDF with Microsoft's PowerShell script, LibreOffice's command line, or an upload converter. Plus a checklist.
Read the guideChurch bulletins after Publisher: save your archive and keep publishing
For church offices: save years of Publisher bulletins and newsletters as PDFs, then keep the weekly bulletin going in Word, Canva or LibreOffice.
Read the guideHow to convert a Publisher file to Word
How to convert a Microsoft Publisher .pub file to Word, with or without Publisher: what carries over, what doesn't, and when PDF is the better choice.
Read the guideConvert Publisher (.pub) pages to PNG or JPG images
Turn every page of a Publisher .pub file into a PNG or JPG image for Facebook, email or Canva. A free LibreOffice route, and a one-step converter.
Read the guideHow to open a .pub file without Microsoft Publisher
Four ways to open a Microsoft Publisher .pub file now that Publisher is retired: free LibreOffice Draw, an online converter, an old copy, or a colleague.
Read the guideHow to open a Publisher (.pub) file on a Chromebook
There's no Publisher for ChromeOS, and Google Drive can't preview .pub files. What works: LibreOffice through Linux, or a web converter that makes a PDF.
Read the guideHow to open a Publisher file on a Mac
Microsoft Publisher never had a Mac version. How to open, view, edit or convert a .pub file on a Mac with free LibreOffice or an online converter.
Read the guideHow to open old Publisher files (98, 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2010)
Opening Publisher 98, 2000, 2002/2003, 2007 and 2010 files today: what opens well, what breaks, and why Publisher 1.0 to 95 files need another route.
Read the guideMicrosoft Publisher end of life: what happened, and what to do with your files
Publisher left Microsoft 365 on Oct 1, 2026 and perpetual support ended Oct 13, 2026. Dated timeline, Microsoft's words, and what to do with your files.
Read the guideHow to open a Publisher file in LibreOffice (and what goes wrong)
Open a .pub file free in LibreOffice Draw and export a PDF, plus fixes for what often goes wrong: repeated linked text, text under pictures, swapped fonts.
Read the guidePublisher file won't open? Why it happens now, and how to get your file back
Why .pub files won't open since Publisher left Microsoft 365, and fixes for wrong apps, damaged files, old versions and OneDrive. Free routes first.
Read the guideWhat is a .pub file?
A .pub file is a Microsoft Publisher document, such as a newsletter, flyer, bulletin or card. What's inside one, which apps open it, and what to do now.
Read the guide