Why Convert PUB to PDF?

Microsoft Publisher files (.pub) can only be opened natively by Publisher itself. With Microsoft retiring Publisher in October 2026, converting your .pub files to the universal PDF format is the safest way to preserve them. PDFs can be opened on any device, shared easily, and printed without special software.

Method 1: PubViewer (Free Online — No Install)

The quickest way to convert a single .pub file to PDF:

  1. Go to pubviewer.justtoolkit.com
  2. Upload your .pub file
  3. Wait a few seconds for conversion
  4. Click Download PDF

The file is processed server-side by LibreOffice Draw, automatically deleted within 2 minutes, and the result is a pixel-perfect PDF rendering of your Publisher document.

Best for: Quick, one-off conversions. No software to install, works on any device with a browser.

Method 2: LibreOffice Draw (Free Desktop)

LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite that can open and export .pub files:

  1. Download and install LibreOffice
  2. Open LibreOffice Draw
  3. Go to File → Open and select your .pub file
  4. Go to File → Export As → Export as PDF
  5. Adjust settings (or keep defaults) and click Export

LibreOffice handles most .pub files well, including those with WMF/EMF graphics, text boxes, and basic layouts. Formatting may shift slightly for very complex documents.

Best for: Batch conversions, offline work, users who want a free desktop alternative to Publisher.

Method 3: Google Drive (Free Online)

Google Drive can view and export .pub files via its document viewer:

  1. Upload the .pub file to Google Drive
  2. Right-click the file and select Open with → Google Docs
  3. The file will be previewed (formatting may vary)
  4. Go to File → Download → PDF Document

Note: Google Drive's .pub rendering is limited. Complex layouts, multi-page documents, and embedded graphics may not display correctly. This method works best for simple, text-heavy publications.

Method 4: CloudConvert (Paid Online)

CloudConvert is a paid online conversion service that supports .pub to PDF:

  1. Go to cloudconvert.com/pub-to-pdf
  2. Upload your file
  3. Click Convert
  4. Download the PDF

The free tier has file size limits. Paid plans start at a few dollars per month.

Method 5: Windows Print to PDF (Windows Only)

If you have access to a Windows machine with Publisher or LibreOffice installed:

  1. Open the .pub file
  2. Press Ctrl+P
  3. Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer
  4. Click Print and choose a save location

Which Method Should You Use?

Method Price Best For
PubViewer Free Quick online conversion
LibreOffice Free Desktop + batch conversion
Google Drive Free Simple files only
CloudConvert Paid Large/complex files

Regardless of which method you choose, converting your .pub files to PDF now ensures they remain accessible after Microsoft Publisher is retired.