Convert PUB to PDF without Publisher
You do not need Publisher to get a PDF out of a .pub file, and you do not need to send your file to a website either.
How to do it
- Open PubOut and choose your .pub file.
- Check that it looks right.
- Press Save as PDF. In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” as the printer.
Your browser makes the PDF, so the text stays sharp and selectable and nothing leaves your computer.
How close is the result?
We compared 20 publications, including newsletters, brochures, calendars and forms, against the page images Publisher itself produces. On a 0 to 100 similarity scale, PubOut averaged 79 and LibreOffice 60, and PubOut came closer on 19 of the 20. Clip art, table borders and linked columns make most of the difference. No converter is perfect, so check anything that matters.
Many files?
If you have a folder of newsletters, flyers or forms, PubOut Pro converts them all at once into searchable PDFs and keeps your folder structure. It runs offline on your own computer, which matters for schools, churches, clinics and offices that should not upload documents.
If you still have Publisher
While Publisher still opens, you can use File, Export, Create PDF/XPS. Microsoft also publishes a PowerShell script for bulk export, but it needs a working copy of Publisher. Removal reaches Microsoft 365 devices through ordinary Office updates, so do this soon if you plan to.
Questions
Is the PDF searchable?
Yes. Saving through your browser keeps real text. PubOut Pro also adds a searchable text layer to its batch PDFs.
What about fonts?
If a font in your publication is not on your computer, PubOut tells you and uses the closest match. Install the font first if an exact result matters.