Convert Publisher to Word
Word can't open .pub files, and with Publisher leaving Microsoft 365 that is now a problem for anyone with old newsletters, flyers or forms to update. PubConvert reads the Publisher file in your browser and gives you a Word document with the text, fonts and pictures in place, ready to edit. Nothing is uploaded.
Upload Your .pub FileMicrosoft Publisher is being retired. Microsoft 365 stops including Publisher on 1 October 2026 and Microsoft recommends converting your .pub files before you lose access. What the retirement means for your files →
Features
- Opens in Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac, Word on the web and the Word mobile apps
- Text comes through as normal Word paragraphs, so you can edit it straight away
- Keeps fonts, sizes, bold, italic, underline, colours, alignment and line spacing
- Each Publisher page starts a new Word section with the same page size and margins
- Photos and pictures are placed in the document at their original size
- Converted on your own device — your file is never uploaded
Use Cases
- Updating a newsletter, flyer or price list that was made in Publisher
- Moving letterheads, forms and certificates to Word now Publisher is retiring
- Reusing the text of old Publisher documents in new Word documents
- Sending an editable copy to someone who only has Word
Why Word can't open Publisher files
Publisher saves documents in its own binary format, which has nothing in common with Word's .docx files. Word has never been able to read it, so opening a .pub file from Word's File menu doesn't work, on Windows or on a Mac. The usual workaround was to open the file in Publisher and save a copy for Word. Once Publisher is gone, you need something that reads the .pub format directly.
How to convert a Publisher file to Word
- Go to the PubConvert homepage and drop your .pub file onto the page, or click to choose it. You can add several files at once.
- Wait a few seconds while your browser reads the file. Every page appears in a free preview, so you can check that the text and pictures were found.
- Download the Word (DOCX) file. One credit unlocks it, along with the PDF, PowerPoint and HTML versions of the same document.
- Open the file in Word and edit it like any other document.
What to expect when you open it in Word
Publisher places every text box and picture at a fixed spot on the page. Word works differently: text flows from the top of the page to the bottom. PubConvert puts each page's content in reading order, top to bottom and left to right, so the words are easy to edit. The result won't look exactly like the original design.
Text-heavy documents such as letters, forms, price lists and newsletters convert cleanly. Designs with overlapping text boxes, columns side by side or text on top of a picture will need some tidying up. Tables come through as one line per row, with a | between cells. Decorative shapes appear as small grey notes so you can see where they were and delete or redraw them.
Word, PowerPoint or PDF?
Choose Word when the words are what you need to change. If the design matters more, PowerPoint keeps every text box, shape and picture where Publisher put it and still lets you edit them. PDF keeps the page layout for printing, sharing and archiving, but isn't meant for editing. One credit covers every format, so you can download more than one and keep whichever works best.
The Word file is a standard DOCX, so it also opens in Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer and Apple Pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microsoft Word open .pub files?
No. Word has never been able to open Publisher files, on Windows or Mac. You need to convert the .pub file to Word's own format (DOCX) first, which is what PubConvert does.
Do I need Publisher installed to convert to Word?
No. PubConvert reads the Publisher file itself, so it works on a computer that has never had Publisher, including Macs and Chromebooks.
Will the Word document look like my Publisher file?
The text, fonts and pictures carry over, but the layout won't match exactly, because Word flows text down the page instead of placing it at fixed positions. If you need the design kept, download the PowerPoint version as well. The same credit covers it.
Which versions of Word can open the converted file?
Any version that opens .docx files: Word 2007 and later on Windows, current versions of Word for Mac, Word on the web and the Word mobile apps.
How much does it cost?
Previewing is free. Downloading uses one credit per file, and that credit covers the Word file plus the PDF, PowerPoint and HTML versions. The pricing page lists current prices.
Why are some backgrounds or clip art missing from my Word file?
Files made from Publisher's built-in templates may use backgrounds, clip art and decorative graphics stored in Publisher's template gallery on your computer, not inside the .pub file itself. No converter can extract them. Your text and pictures will still convert.
Free preview, pay per download. No software to install.