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Guide · Publisher files

How to convert Publisher files to PDF, one file or a whole folder

Updated · Rotomal

To convert one Publisher file to PDF, open it in Publisher and save it as PDF; without Publisher, open it in the free LibreOffice Draw and use Export as PDF. For a whole folder, if Publisher is installed, Microsoft's free Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 script exports a folder of .pub files to PDF, including subfolders with -Recurse; Microsoft says it needs a working, licensed Publisher. Without Publisher, LibreOffice can batch convert from the command line (soffice --headless --convert-to pdf) using its own Publisher import filter, so check the output. Paid Windows tools such as Save Your PUB Files ($11) automate the same Publisher export and also need Publisher installed.

The options compared

MethodNeeds Publisher?PriceNotes
Microsoft Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1Yes, licensedFreeSample script; PDF saved next to each .pub; files whose PDF already exists are not overwritten
Save as PDF in Publisher, one by oneYesFreeFine for a handful of files
LibreOffice command lineNoFreeUses LibreOffice's own Publisher filter; check layouts
Save Your PUB Files (Windows)Yes$11 one-timeBatch converts whole folders to PDF
Online converters (Zamzar)NoFree tier3 MB cap on free PUB to PDF uploads; files are uploaded
Pub RescueNo, we run PublisherFrom $9 per archive, paid oncePDF and Word for every file, with a conversion report

Prices as published on 29 October 2026.

Convert one Publisher file to PDF

  • With Publisher 2016, 2019 or 2021 still installed: open the file, choose File > Save as, pick PDF as the file type and save. This is Publisher's own export, so the layout matches.
  • Without Publisher: install LibreOffice, open the .pub file (it opens in Draw), check every page, then use Export as PDF in the File menu.
  • For one small file you are happy to upload: Zamzar converts PUB to PDF online, with a 3 MB cap on free uploads.
  • Microsoft 365 subscribers lost Publisher on or shortly after 1 October 2026, so the Microsoft 365 apps cannot do this conversion any more.

Our guide to opening a .pub file without Publisher compares the free viewers and converters in more detail.

Run Microsoft's script

  • Use a Windows PC with a working, licensed copy of Publisher.
  • Download Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 from the link on Microsoft's Publisher retirement page.
  • Open PowerShell in the folder that holds your .pub files. If PowerShell refuses to run the script, read Microsoft's page on execution policies before changing anything.
  • Run one of the commands below. Each PDF is saved in the same folder as its .pub file, with the same name.
.\Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "*.pub"
.\Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "*.pub" -Recurse

The first command converts the current folder; the second also converts every subfolder. Microsoft provides the script for instructional purposes and recommends you modify and test it for your needs. If a PDF with the same name already exists, the script reports an error for that file instead of overwriting it.

Batch convert with LibreOffice (no Publisher)

LibreOffice can convert files without opening its window. Its documented syntax is --convert-to with an output extension, an optional --outdir, and the files to convert. On Windows, run it from the LibreOffice program folder:

"C:\Program Files\LibreOffice\program\soffice.exe" --headless --convert-to pdf --outdir C:\pdf-out C:\pub-files\*.pub

LibreOffice reads .pub files with its own import filter, listed as Microsoft Publisher 98-2010. Open a sample of the PDFs and compare them with the originals before you rely on them; text boxes, images and fonts are where differences show.

Check the output before you delete anything

  • Compare file counts: one PDF for every .pub.
  • Open a sample from each year and each kind of document: newsletters, flyers, certificates.
  • Look for substituted fonts, missing linked images and text that runs off the page.
  • Keep the original .pub files. A converted copy is not a reason to delete the source.

Hundreds or thousands of files, and no Publisher

That is the case the free routes handle worst: the script needs Publisher, and LibreOffice's output needs checking file by file. Pub Rescue runs the export on licensed Publisher installations, keeps your folder structure and file names, adds an editable Word version, and lists any file that needs a second look. Up to 25 files cost $9, up to 300 cost $29 and up to 3,000 cost $99, paid once, with the price confirmed by email before you pay.

Questions

Does Microsoft's PowerShell script work without Publisher?

No. Microsoft says you need a working and licensed version of Publisher installed, and the script stops with an error if Publisher is not installed or accessible.

Where does the script save the PDFs?

Next to each source file, with the same base name and a .pdf extension. With -Recurse it also works through subfolders.

Can I bulk convert .pub to PDF online?

Zamzar lets you add several files, but its PUB to PDF page caps free uploads at 3 MB per file, and every file is uploaded to a third party. For a large or private archive, convert offline.

Is LibreOffice's PDF as good as Publisher's?

Not always. LibreOffice uses its own import filter for Publisher files, so layouts can shift. Publisher's own export is the reference; use LibreOffice when Publisher is not available, and check the results.

Can I batch convert to Word as well?

Microsoft's route to Word goes through PDF and Word's own conversion, one file at a time. Publisher's automation interface can save RTF, which Word opens. Pub Rescue delivers a Word version of every file in the same batch.

Sources

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