Convert PUB to DOC — Free Online Converter
Convert Microsoft Publisher (.pub) to Microsoft Word Document (.doc) online for free. Fast, secure document conversion with no watermarks or registrat...
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How to Convert
Upload your .pub file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .doc file when it's ready.
About PUB to DOC Conversion
PUB is the native file format for Microsoft Publisher, the desktop publishing application used to create brochures, flyers, newsletters, business cards, posters, and other print-oriented marketing materials. Publisher files combine text, images, shapes, and layout elements in a proprietary format that can only be fully opened in Microsoft Publisher — no other major application provides complete PUB file support. DOC is Microsoft Word's legacy binary format (Word 97-2003), universally readable by every word processor.
Converting PUB to DOC extracts the text content and basic layout from a Publisher document and wraps it in a Word-compatible file. This conversion is essential when Publisher content needs to be edited by someone who does not have Microsoft Publisher installed, or when the text content needs to enter a document-based workflow.
Why Convert PUB to DOC?
Microsoft Publisher has a small installed base compared to Word. Most people who receive a PUB file cannot open it because they do not own Publisher — it is only included in certain Microsoft Office editions (not Microsoft 365 Basic, not Office Home & Student). Converting to DOC makes the content accessible to anyone with Word, LibreOffice, Google Docs, or any other word processor.
PUB files are also problematic for cross-platform sharing. Publisher is Windows-only — there is no macOS, Linux, or web version. Mac users, Linux users, and anyone without Windows cannot access PUB content at all. Converting to DOC provides universal cross-platform accessibility for the document's text and basic layout.
Common Use Cases
- Share Publisher brochure content with colleagues who do not have Microsoft Publisher installed
- Extract text from PUB flyers for editing in Word by marketing team members on Mac or Linux
- Convert Publisher newsletter layouts to DOC for archival in document management systems
- Import PUB document text into Word for content reuse in proposals and reports
- Make Publisher business card designs accessible to designers using non-Windows platforms
How It Works
LibreOffice opens the PUB file using its Publisher import filter, which parses the proprietary binary structure to extract text frames, images, and basic layout information. The content is rendered into a DOC document with text positioned to approximate the Publisher layout. Text formatting (fonts, sizes, colors, bold, italic) is preserved. Images embedded in the PUB are included in the DOC. Complex Publisher-specific features — mail merge fields, design templates, spot color definitions, and advanced object positioning — may simplify in the conversion.
Quality & Performance
Text content transfers accurately with formatting preserved. The main quality consideration is layout fidelity: Publisher is a desktop publishing tool with precise object positioning, while DOC is a word processing format with page-flow layout. Complex multi-column layouts, overlapping text frames, and precisely positioned graphics may shift or simplify in the conversion. For text-heavy Publisher documents (newsletters, reports), the conversion works well. For highly visual designs (brochures, posters), expect layout simplification.
Device Compatibility
| Device | PUB | DOC |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1Expect layout simplification — Publisher's precise positioning does not translate directly to Word's text-flow model
- 2Use DOCX instead of DOC for modern workflows unless legacy compatibility is specifically required
- 3Review image positioning after conversion — graphics may shift from their original Publisher placement
- 4For text extraction, the conversion works excellently — all text content and formatting are preserved
- 5Consider PDF conversion instead if you need to preserve the exact visual layout of the Publisher design
PUB-to-DOC conversion makes Microsoft Publisher content accessible to the much larger audience of Word users, extracting text and basic layout from the proprietary desktop publishing format.