Open old Publisher files (98 to 2003)

Why old .pub files are hard to open

Every few versions, Microsoft changed the inside of the .pub format. Files from Publisher 98 and 2000 are built quite differently from the ones Publisher 2007 and later save. Now that Publisher itself has been retired, there is also no current Microsoft app left that opens any of them. Word, Google Docs, Pages and Canva never could.

PubRescue reads the old formats directly. There's nothing to install and no need to hunt for an old copy of Publisher.

Which versions work

Publisher 2002 and 2003 (and everything newer): these use the same format family as current files and convert very closely, with text, pictures, shapes and tables in place.
Publisher 98 and 2000: supported, including text, pictures inside groups and tables. The layout is reproduced with somewhat lower accuracy than for newer files, so check the preview before you rely on a file.
Publisher 97 and older: may not convert. The preview is free, so simply try.

Not sure which version made a file? You don't need to know. Upload it and the preview shows the result.

How to rescue an old archive

Copy the files from the CD, floppy image, USB stick or backup onto your computer. Keep the folders as they are.
Upload the folder or a ZIP in the box above. Every .pub file inside is found, however deep in subfolders.
Look through the previews. Each file gets a thumbnail; click one to see every page.
Download. The first 3 PDFs and 1 Word file are free. A one-time plan gives you everything as one ZIP, with a PDF and a Word file next to each original, in the same folder structure.

Large archives with thousands of files are fine. See bulk conversion for tips.

Which format to keep

PDF for the archive: it opens on any device today and will for decades, and the text inside can be searched.
Word for designs you want to reuse: an old certificate, a membership form, a yearly event flyer. See Publisher to Word.
Images for sharing a memory: the cover of a 1999 newsletter makes a great post. See PUB to JPG.

What to expect from very old files

Fonts. Fonts that came with Office are replaced with metric-compatible fonts that keep the line breaks. Fonts that were installed separately on the old computer are replaced with similar ones.
Missing pictures. Some old files only linked to a picture stored elsewhere on the original computer instead of including it. Those pictures were never in the .pub file, so they can't be recovered from it.
Damaged files. Files from scratched CDs or floppies can be partly unreadable. Those convert as far as they can be read, or are listed as failed in the results.
Small differences. Spacing and the position of some boxes can differ slightly from what the old Publisher showed. The words and pictures are all there.

Privacy

Your files are used only to make your downloads. Free uploads are deleted automatically 24 hours after upload and paid ones after 7 days. See the privacy policy.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open a Publisher 2000 file without Publisher?

Yes. Upload it here and you get a PDF and a Word file. Files from Publisher 98 and 2000 convert with somewhat lower accuracy than newer ones, so check the free preview.

Does it work with Publisher 2003 files?

Yes. Files from Publisher 2002 and 2003 convert as closely as files from current versions.

What about Publisher 97 and older?

Those may not convert. The preview is free, so try a file and see.

Can I convert a whole CD of old files at once?

Yes. Copy the files to your computer and upload the folder or a ZIP. Every .pub file is converted and the folder structure is kept.

Why are some pictures missing?

Some old files only pointed to a picture stored elsewhere on the original computer. If the picture wasn't saved inside the .pub file, it can't be recovered from it.

Is it free?

Previews are always free, and so are the first 3 PDFs and 1 Word file of every upload. For more, a one-time plan starts at $9.

Open old Publisher files from Publisher 98, 2000, 2002 and 2003

Convert old Publisher files