Microsoft Word cannot directly open native Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files because it lacks a built-in import filter for that format. However, you can easily move your content into Word to edit it by using alternative conversion methods.
Be aware that Microsoft Publisher is reaching its end of life in October 2026, making it highly recommended to migrate your important .pub templates into Word format.
đĽ Method 1: The PDF Round-Trip (Best for Layout & Design)
This is Microsoft’s officially recommended workaround. It uses Microsoft Word’s native ability to reconstruct PDFs back into editable text documents.
Save as PDF: Open your file in Publisher, click File > Save As, and choose PDF from the “Save as type” dropdown.
Open in Word: Launch Microsoft Word, go to File > Open, and select your newly created PDF file.
Convert: Word will display a prompt stating it will convert the PDF into an editable Word document. Click OK.
Note: Word will do its best to preserve the layout, but complex designs might shift slightly.
đ Method 2: Save directly as a Word Document (Best for Text-Heavy Files)
If your publication consists mostly of stories, articles, or newsletters, you can export the raw text directly into Word format using the steps outlined on Microsoft Support. Open your document in Microsoft Publisher. Click File > Save As. Choose your save destination via the Browse option.
In the Save as type dropdown, select Word Document (*.docx). Click Save.
â ď¸ CRITICAL LIMITATION: This built-in exporter captures ONLY raw text and text formatting (font, size, colors, bold/italics). All layout boxes, page structures, background elements, shapes, and images will be permanently stripped out.
đ Method 3: Manual Copy-and-Paste (Best for Select Pages or Elements)
If you only need specific components from a larger file, you can copy the objects over manually. Open the file in Publisher.
Press Ctrl + A to select all objects on a page, or manually highlight a specific text box. Right-click and select Copy (or press Ctrl + C).
Open your document in Word, right-click where you want the content, and select Paste.
For images that do not transfer automatically, you can right-click them individually in Publisher, select Save as Picture, and then pull them into Word using Insert > Pictures.
đ Method 4: Online and Alternative Converters (If you don’t have Publisher)
Convert publisher file to an editable word file – Microsoft Q&A