How to open a .pub file online — 3 steps
Upload your .pub file
Drag and drop or browse to select. Any Publisher .pub file from 2007–2021 works — no version restrictions.
Review the Import Report
A plain-English report shows exactly what converted cleanly and what needs a small fix — fonts, images, or layout.
Edit and export a PDF
Fix anything in the editor, then export a clean, print-ready PDF. Keep editing as many times as you need.
What actually opens .pub files in 2026 — the accurate answer
As of June 2026, Microsoft Publisher is being discontinued. Support ends October 1, 2026; all Microsoft 365 subscriptions permanently lose access on October 13, 2026. No new Publisher installer exists.
Only three tools natively open the .pub file format:LibreOffice Draw (free desktop, Mac/Win/Linux), Scribus (free desktop, Mac/Win/Linux), and PublishMedia (browser-based, any device). Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Designer cannot open .pub files — despite being Microsoft products. Affinity Publisher 2 became free in October 2025 (after Canva's acquisition) but also cannot open .pub files. Publisher never ran on Mac — it was a Windows-only application.
| Tool | Platform | Opens .pub | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| PublishMedia | Browser-based | ✓ Yes | Free to start |
| LibreOffice Draw | Desktop (Mac/Win/Linux) | ✓ Yes | Free |
| Scribus | Desktop (Mac/Win/Linux) | ✓ Yes | Free |
| Microsoft Word | Desktop | ✗ No | Paid |
| PowerPoint / Designer | Desktop / Web | ✗ No | Paid |
| Affinity Publisher 2 | Desktop (Mac/Win/iPad) | ✗ No | Free |
| Canva / Marq / Adobe Express | Browser-based | ✗ No | Free tiers |
Accurate as of June 2026. Publisher EOL: October 1, 2026 (support end); October 13, 2026 (removed from M365).
Who opens .pub files with PublishMedia
Churches & nonprofits
Open old Sunday bulletins, newsletters, pledge cards, and event flyers. Keep editing your existing layouts or switch to one of 200+ Publisher-style templates.
Schools & PTAs
Open school newsletters, calendars, award certificates, and booster club materials. Continue editing in the browser — no IT install required.
Restaurants & small businesses
Open menus, price sheets, event flyers, and gift certificates. Export a print-ready PDF for your printer or edit for today's specials.
Funeral homes & families
Open existing funeral programs and memorial cards. Edit names, dates, and photos, then export for printing before the service.
Office administrators
Open a decade of Publisher files with no Publisher install needed. Run on a Mac or any machine without a Windows VM.
Designers & agencies
Open client Publisher files. Review layouts, extract assets, and migrate documents to modern formats — browser-based, no software purchase.
Publisher for churches, schools & nonprofits
Publisher was the tool of choice for weekly bulletins, newsletters, event flyers, and certificates in thousands of churches, schools, and nonprofits. PublishMedia is purpose-built as its replacement — with dedicated templates for every document you already make, and the ability to open your existing .pub files directly. No new software to buy. No IT department needed.
- ✓ Church bulletin templates
- ✓ School newsletter templates
- ✓ Event flyer templates
- ✓ Funeral program templates
- ✓ Certificate & award templates
- ✓ Raffle & fundraiser ticket maker
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a .pub file online without Microsoft Publisher?
Yes. PublishMedia opens .pub files directly in your browser — no Publisher install, no Windows required. Upload your file, review the layout, make any edits, and download a PDF.
Does Microsoft 365 still include Publisher in 2026?
No — not for new subscribers, and not for long for existing ones. As of 2026, Microsoft is removing Publisher from all Microsoft 365 plans. Existing M365 Business Standard and Business Premium subscribers can still access it until October 13, 2026, after which all M365 subscriptions permanently lose access. Legacy Office 2021 LTSC owners keep their install but receive no updates after October 1, 2026. No new M365 plan includes Publisher.
Where can I download Microsoft Publisher in 2026?
No new Publisher installer is available for download. Publisher was only bundled with certain Microsoft 365 Business plans and is being removed from those plans on October 13, 2026. There is no standalone Publisher installer sold or distributed by Microsoft. Sites offering 'Publisher downloads' are distributing old, unsupported, or potentially unsafe versions.
What software can open .pub files?
Three tools natively open the .pub file format: LibreOffice Draw (free, desktop for Mac/Win/Linux), Scribus (free, desktop for Mac/Win/Linux), and PublishMedia (browser-based, no install). Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Designer cannot open .pub files. Affinity Publisher 2 became free in 2025 but does not open .pub files.
Can Microsoft Word open a .pub file?
No. Word does not open .pub files natively, despite both being Microsoft products. There is no .pub import built into Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or Microsoft Designer. Microsoft's own suggestion — exporting to Word — requires Publisher to already be open to do the export.
Is there a Publisher for Mac?
Publisher never ran on Mac natively — it was a Windows-only application throughout its entire history. If you need to open .pub files on a Mac, use LibreOffice Draw (free, native Mac app), Affinity Publisher 2 (free, Mac-native, but cannot open .pub), or PublishMedia (browser-based, works on any Mac browser).
Is Microsoft Publisher free?
No. Publisher was never a standalone free product. It was bundled only with certain paid Microsoft 365 Business plans (Standard and Premium). It is now being discontinued, so no paid path to a new Publisher license exists.
What happens to my .pub files when Publisher is discontinued?
Your .pub files stay on your computer and do not disappear. What changes: after October 13, 2026, you can no longer open them in Publisher if you use an M365 subscription. The files themselves are safe — you just need an alternative tool to open them. The best action now: open each file, export a PDF to lock in the final layout, and migrate active documents to a replacement tool.
Does PublishMedia work for church bulletins, school newsletters, and menus?
Yes. PublishMedia opens existing .pub bulletins, newsletters, menus, and certificates. It also includes 200+ Publisher-style templates for church bulletins, restaurant menus, event flyers, funeral programs, raffle tickets, certificates, and more — so you can start fresh or keep working from your existing layouts.
How does the Import Report work?
When you upload a .pub file, PublishMedia converts it and generates a Import Report — a plain-English summary of what converted cleanly (text, images, colors, fonts) and what shifted or approximated. You can see exactly what needs a small fix before you export. It is the most transparent .pub conversion report available.
Related questions
Publish Media Software is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.