Frequently asked questions

Your files are processed on a dedicated Windows machine running a licensed copy of Microsoft Publisher. Publisher opens each file natively — the same way you would — and exports PDF and IDML. This produces the most faithful output possible because we use the real application, not a third-party parser.

Because your file is opened and exported by real Microsoft Publisher — not a third-party parser — your layout, text boxes, fonts, and images carry over the way they would if you exported the file yourself. A few things can affect the result: the PDF has its fonts embedded, but the IDML file references fonts by name rather than embedding them, so if a font isn't installed on the computer opening the IDML, Affinity or InDesign will substitute one (same as any program). Cloud-only linked images also need to be synced locally before converting. See our full accuracy walkthrough, Will My Publisher File Look the Same After Converting?, in the blog for an element-by-element breakdown of photos, fonts, and off-page content.

It depends on which type of Publisher you have. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft is removing Publisher from the 365 lineup entirely — once your subscription refreshes past the retirement date, you may not be able to open Publisher at all, even just to export a file. If you purchased Office as a one-time (perpetual) license — for example Office 2019, 2021, or 2024 Standalone, Office LTSC, or Office Home & Student — Publisher will keep working on your computer after the deadline; it simply won't receive further security updates or support from Microsoft. Either way, converting your files to PDF and IDML now means you'll have access to them no matter which situation applies to you.

Each .pub file produces two outputs: a print-ready PDF and an IDML file. IDML is an open format supported by Affinity Publisher 2 and Adobe InDesign.

Yes. Content that lives outside the page boundary in Publisher (on the 'pasteboard' or 'scratch area') is captured and placed on the pasteboard of the output IDML file.

Yes. The PDF is exported by Publisher's built-in PDF engine with fonts embedded.

Linked images that are available on disk at conversion time are included. Cloud-only or missing linked images will be absent from the output — download your files locally before uploading if you have linked images stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.

We support all .pub files that Publisher 2019/Microsoft 365 can open, which covers Publisher 2003 through current. Very old Publisher 2.0/95 files may not be supported.

Files are uploaded directly to encrypted cloud storage using a presigned URL — they never pass through our web servers. Input files are automatically deleted within 24 hours. Output files (PDF + IDML) are deleted 48 hours after your job completes.

Only our conversion system accesses your files. We do not inspect, share, or retain the contents of your Publisher documents.

No. Publisher cannot open password-protected files via automation. Remove the password in Publisher before uploading.

500 MB per file. Files larger than this should be split before uploading. File size doesn't affect the price — every file is the same per-file rate.

Windows (File Explorer): navigate to the folder where your files live, type *.pub in the search box at the top-right, and press Enter. The status bar at the bottom shows the total count. To search an entire drive, navigate to the root (e.g. C:\) first. OneDrive or SharePoint: sync the library to your local machine first (click Sync in the browser), then search via File Explorer as above. Windows (Command Prompt): open a Command Prompt in the folder you want to count and run: dir /s /b *.pub | find /c ".pub"

All major credit and debit cards via Stripe. We do not store your card details.

We refund any file that fails automatically, within 24 hours of processing starting and before sending your download email. You're only charged for successful conversions.

You receive a full refund, issued automatically within 24 hours of processing starting. This is rare — it typically only happens if Publisher itself becomes unavailable on our machine.

We issue refunds within 24 hours of processing starting. They then appear on your statement within 5–10 business days depending on your card issuer.

Stripe generates a receipt automatically. For a formal VAT invoice, email us with your order details.

File → Open, then select the .idml file. Affinity Publisher 2 will import it directly.

File → Open, then select the .idml file. InDesign opens IDML natively — no extra steps required.

Right-click on an empty area of the pasteboard (the grey area surrounding the page), set the pasteboard color to white. Then go to View and disable "Clip to Canvas". Objects on the pasteboard will now be visible.

If Publisher used fonts that aren't installed on your system, Affinity Publisher or InDesign will substitute them. Install the original fonts for the layout to render correctly.