Open a Publisher file in Word
Updated
Word does not open .pub files. Convert the file to Word (.docx) first. You can upload it here and buy the download after a free preview of page 1. Or, if you still have Publisher, you can save it as PDF and open the PDF in Word.
Option 1: convert here, no Publisher needed
Upload the .pub file and check page 1 for free. Then choose a paid download to get the Word file: $9 for one file, or $19 for up to 25 files in one upload. Each Publisher page becomes a section of the Word file, with text and pictures in reading order so you can edit them. The page design is not recreated exactly. For the same layout, use the PDF or PowerPoint file.
Option 2: Publisher, then PDF, then Word
If you still have Publisher, open the file and save it as PDF (File, Save As, PDF). Then open Word, go to File, then Open, and pick the PDF. Word makes an editable copy of it. Microsoft says the Word result is optimized for text editing and its layout may differ from the PDF, especially when the file has many graphics.
Option 3: save the text from Publisher
If you still have Publisher, you can save the publication as a Word document: go to File, then Save As, and pick a Word format under Save as type. Microsoft notes that you cannot save "all text, graphics, and layout" in a Word document this way, so expect the page design and some graphics to be lost. For the same layout, use Option 2, or the PDF or PowerPoint download.
Convert your file now
Questions
Will my layout stay the same in Word?
Usually not. Word puts the text and pictures one after another. For the same layout, use the PDF or PowerPoint download.
Word or PowerPoint: which is better for editing?
PowerPoint keeps each text box and picture where it was on the page. Word is better when you mainly want to edit the text.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026
- Microsoft Support: Save a publication as a Word document
- Microsoft Support: Edit a PDF (open a PDF in Word)
More guides: Publisher to Word, Publisher to PDF, Publisher to PowerPoint, Publisher to Canva, Open .pub without Publisher, .pub on Mac, Publisher alternatives, Publisher retirement, Bulk convert, Converter comparison, What is a .pub file, .pub viewer, .pub extension, .pub on phone or Chromebook, Publisher open/save errors