Windows Your computer
Windows 10 and 11
Download for Windows- Open the file you downloaded.
- If Windows says “Windows protected your PC”, click More info, then Run anyway.
- PubOpener appears in your Start menu.
Start from a template
Every page below was made in PubOpener. Pick one, change the words, and print it or save it as a PDF.
Download PubOpener
Free for Windows, Mac and Linux. Pick your computer.
Found a problem, or missing something? Tell us; we read everything.
Mac Your computer
Apple-chip and Intel Macs
Download for Mac- Open the .dmg and drag PubOpener into Applications.
- The first time, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
Linux Your computer
Ubuntu, Debian and most others
Download .deb Or the AppImage for other Linux- Double-click the .deb to install it.
- PubOpener appears in your apps.
One app for all of it
Open old .pub files
See, print or save any file from Publisher 2000 or later as a PDF.
Edit them again
Click Edit in Layout to change the text and move the pictures.
Layout, like Publisher
Flyers, posters and cards. Put anything anywhere on the page.
Docs, like Word
Letters and reports. Opens and saves Word files too.
Sheets, like Excel
Budgets, lists and rotas with formulas like SUM and IF. Opens and saves CSV.
Draw, a whiteboard
Sketches, diagrams and sticky notes. Save them as a picture.
Print or PDF
Print from any tab, or save a PDF to email.
Never lose work
PubOpener keeps a copy as you type, even if the power goes.
Tested on real Publisher files
We open real .pub files and check every page. Here's what comes through today.
- Flyers and posters: text, pictures, colours and shapes
- Certificates: borders, seals and signatures
- Church bulletins: many pages, drawings and photos
- Newsletters: columns and boxes
- Folded cards: sideways panels and old clip art
- Not yet: curved WordArt
- Not yet: text flowing around pictures
- Not yet: files from Publisher 97, 98 or older
- Sometimes: very thin borders and Cyrillic text
Free, for good
Everything in PubOpener is free. No account, no time limit, no adverts, no paid version.
Make
$0
- Layout: flyers, posters, certificates, bulletins
- Docs: letters and reports
- 36 templates, from yard sales to CVs and invoices
- Sheets for budgets and lists, Draw for sketches
Open and save
$0
- Old Publisher .pub files
- Word files (.docx)
- PDF at the exact paper size
- Printing, A6 to A3 and US sizes
No catches
$0
- No account or sign-up
- No adverts, no trial that runs out
- Works offline; your files stay on your computer
- For homes, schools, churches, clubs and offices
Questions
Is it really free?
Yes, all of it. No account, no time limit, no adverts and no paid version.
Is Publisher really gone?
Yes. Microsoft removed Publisher from Microsoft 365 on 1 October 2026 and ended support on 13 October 2026. Your .pub files still exist, but Microsoft 365 no longer opens them. PubOpener does.
Why does my computer warn me when I install it?
Windows and Mac warn about apps that aren't yet registered with them (“code signing”), which costs money we haven't spent yet. The download section shows the one click it takes to continue. Stuck? Email support@pubopener.com.
Does it work with Word files?
Yes. Docs opens .docx files and saves them back. Exact fonts and colours may change a little.
What happens to my files?
Nothing leaves your computer. PubOpener works offline and never uploads your files. Once a day it sends one anonymous "in use" count, so we know how many people use it; you can turn that off. Privacy notice.