Microsoft Publisher was a Windows-only application, which means Mac and Chromebook users never had a native way to open .pub files directly. With Publisher now retired, finding a solution that works on non-Windows devices is more important than ever.
Why Publisher Files Don't Open on Mac or Chromebook
Publisher was built exclusively for Windows. Apple never created a Mac version, and there's no Chrome OS version either. This means:
Convert your Publisher files
Get editable PowerPoint files and PDFs from your .pub files.
Start free preview- Double-clicking a .pub file on Mac gives you an error
- Chromebook treats .pub files as unknown file types
- You can't simply "install Publisher" on these devices
The solution isn't installing software that doesn't exist. It's converting your .pub files to formats these devices can handle.
Your Options on Mac
Mac users have several paths to opening Publisher content:
Option 1: Convert to PDF or PowerPoint (Recommended)
This is the most practical solution. Convert your .pub files to:
- PDF for viewing and printing
- PPTX for editing in Keynote, PowerPoint, or Google Slides
Once converted, these files open natively on Mac without additional software.
Advantages:
- Works reliably
- Gives you editable and print-ready versions
- No Windows computer or software needed
- Files open in applications you already have
How it works: Upload your .pub file to a conversion service, receive PDF and PPTX downloads, open them on your Mac.
Option 2: Use LibreOffice for Mac (Free, but Limited)
LibreOffice is free, open-source software available for Mac. Its Draw component can open some Publisher files.
Steps:
1. Download LibreOffice from libreoffice.org
2. Install and open LibreOffice Draw
3. Open your .pub file
Advantages: Free, runs natively on Mac
Limitations:
- Complex layouts may not convert well
- Fonts might substitute
- Some Publisher features aren't supported
- Works better for simple files than complex designs
Best for: Quick viewing of basic Publisher documents when you don't need perfect conversion.
Option 3: Run Windows in a Virtual Machine (Complex)
Advanced users can run Windows in a virtual machine (Parallels, VMware) and install Publisher there. This is the only way to run actual Publisher on a Mac.
Why this isn't recommended:
- Requires purchasing and installing Windows
- Requires virtualization software (Parallels costs $100+/year)
- Requires Publisher license or installation files
- Complex setup for non-technical users
- Slower performance than native Mac applications
Only consider this if you already have all these components for other reasons.
Your Options on Chromebook
Chromebooks are even more limited because they can't run traditional desktop software at all. You have two practical approaches:
Option 1: Convert to PDF or PowerPoint (Strongly Recommended)
This is essentially your only good option on Chromebook. Convert .pub files to:
- PDF for viewing, printing, and sharing
- PPTX for editing in Google Slides or PowerPoint Online
Advantages:
- Works perfectly on Chromebook
- Google Slides is built into Chrome OS
- No additional software needed
- PDFs open in the built-in viewer
How it works: Upload your .pub file to a conversion service using Chrome browser, download the converted files, open them in Google Slides or the PDF viewer.
Option 2: Online Viewers (Limited)
Some websites offer online .pub file viewers where you upload the file and view it in your browser.
Advantages: No software installation, works in Chrome browser
Limitations:
- Usually viewing only, not editing
- Requires uploading your files to a third-party site
- May not support all Publisher versions
- Quality and reliability vary widely
Specific Steps for Mac Users
Here's a practical workflow for Mac users who receive or have .pub files:
- Identify the files you need to convert
- Use a conversion service to convert them to PDF and PPTX
- Open PDFs in Preview (built into macOS)
- Open PPTX files in Keynote (free on Mac) or upload to Google Slides
Once converted, you can:
- Edit presentations in Keynote
- View and print PDFs in Preview
- Share files with others easily
- Store them in cloud services
Specific Steps for Chromebook Users
For Chromebook users:
- Identify the files you need to convert
- Use a conversion service through Chrome browser
- Download converted files to your Chromebook or Google Drive
- Open PPTX files in Google Slides (opens automatically when you double-click)
- View PDFs in Chrome's built-in PDF viewer
Google Slides integrates perfectly with Chrome OS, so editing converted bulletins and newsletters is straightforward.
What About Borrowing a Windows Computer?
Some people consider borrowing a Windows computer to open Publisher files temporarily. This can work if:
- You only have a few files to convert
- You have access to a Windows PC with Publisher installed
- You're comfortable working on an unfamiliar computer
However, this isn't a long-term solution. If you regularly receive .pub files or have an archive of them, converting them once is more practical than repeatedly borrowing a Windows machine.
Handling Files You Receive from Others
If someone sends you a .pub file, you can:
- Ask them for a PDF instead: Most people can save Publisher files as PDF before sending
- Convert it yourself using an online conversion service
- Explain that you use Mac/Chromebook and request files in compatible formats going forward
Many people don't realize that .pub files only work on Windows. Politely educating your contacts helps prevent future issues.
Font Considerations
Publisher files often use fonts that may not be installed on your Mac or Chromebook. When converting:
- Common fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Georgia) transfer reliably
- Uncommon fonts substitute with similar alternatives
- You can adjust font choices in the converted PPTX if needed
This rarely causes major problems, but it's worth checking if precise font matching matters for your use case.
Editing Converted Files
Once you have PPTX files, Mac and Chromebook users can edit them:
On Mac:
- Keynote (free, pre-installed on newer Macs)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (requires Office 365 subscription)
- Google Slides (free, browser-based)
On Chromebook:
- Google Slides (free, integrated into Chrome OS)
- PowerPoint Online (free basic version)
All of these applications let you update text, change images, and modify layouts. You're not stuck with read-only files.
The Long-Term Solution
For Mac and Chromebook users, the reality is clear: you can't run Publisher natively on these devices, and you never could. The solution isn't finding a way to install Windows software on a non-Windows device. It's converting your Publisher files to formats these devices handle well.
PDF and PPTX files work perfectly on Mac, Chromebook, Windows, phones, tablets, and any future devices. Converting once gives you files you can use everywhere.
Next Steps
Whether you have one Publisher file or hundreds, start with a free preview to see how they convert. You can check the quality on your Mac or Chromebook before committing to converting your entire collection.
Your .pub files contain valuable content. Converting them to modern formats means you can use that content on the devices you actually own.