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As an Apple user, you don’t have access to every program on Windows, such as Publisher – a desktop publishing application. However, you can still open and edit Microsoft Publisher files without owning a PC or purchasing Publisher on a Mac using a few alternative methods. In this blog post, we’ll go over those methods in detail, including everything you need to prepare for, step-by-step instructions, and additional tips.
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The Challenge of Opening Publisher Files on a Mac
Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application that makes creating professional-looking documents, such as brochures and flyers, easy. However, it is only available on Windows, which means that if you’re working on a Mac, you won’t have access to Publisher’s features. When you receive a Publisher file from a client or need to edit a previous Publisher project on a Mac, you may face a compatibility issue.
Publisher creates files with a .pub extension that can’t be opened on Mac, which could be a major headache if you don’t have the resources to purchase Windows or Publisher to access the file.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you begin opening Publisher files on a Mac, there are a few tools that you’ll need to prepare:
- Microsoft Office 365 Subscription or Trial
- CloudConvert Account (Optional)
- .Pub to .PDF Conversion Tool (Optional)
Method 1: Via Microsoft Office Online
The easiest way to open Publisher files on a Mac is by using the online version of Publisher available within Microsoft Office Online. The online version is free and accessible on any device with an internet connection. Here’s how to open Publisher files on a Mac using Microsoft Office Online:
Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Office Online website at https://www.office.com.
Step 2: Log in to your Microsoft account.
Step 3: Click on "Publisher" to open the online application.
Step 4: Choose "Open Other Documents."
Step 5: Upload the Publisher file you want to open.
Step 6: Once the file has uploaded, you can edit it the same way you would in the desktop version of Publisher.
Pros:
- Free to use.
- Accessible anywhere with an internet connection.
Cons:
- Requires an internet connection.
- Not as feature-rich as the desktop version of Publisher.
Method 2: Via Third-Party File Converter
If you don’t have a Microsoft 365 subscription, there are still alternative ways to open Publisher files on a Mac. One way is by using a file converter like CloudConvert. CloudConvert allows you to convert Publisher files to PDFs, which can then be opened and edited using a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat. Here’s how to use CloudConvert to open Publisher files on a Mac:
Step 1: Go to the CloudConvert website at https://cloudconvert.com.
Step 2: Click on "Select Files."
Step 3: Upload the Publisher file you want to convert.
Step 4: Choose "PDF" as your output format.
Step 5: Click on "Start Conversion."
Step 6: Once the conversion is complete, download the PDF file.
Step 7: Open the PDF file using a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat.
Pros:
- Doesn’t require a Microsoft 365 subscription.
- CloudConvert offers a free trial that allows you to convert a limited number of files.
- PDFs can be easily opened with a PDF viewer.
Cons:
- Additional steps required to convert Publisher files to PDFs.
- PDFs can lose some design elements and formatting compared to the original Publisher file.
Method 3: Via Virtual Machines or Boot Camp
If you have a more complex Publisher project that requires all of the features from the desktop version of Publisher, you may need to use a virtual machine or boot camp. A virtual machine allows you to run Windows and its programs within a separate window on your Mac. Boot Camp allows you to install Windows directly onto your Mac computer. Both options require a Windows license, and Boot Camp requires additional storage space. Here are the steps to use virtual machines or Boot Camp to open Publisher files on a Mac:
Step 1: Purchase a Windows license.
Step 2: Install Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion to create a virtual machine. Alternatively, you can use Boot Camp to install Windows directly onto your Mac.
Step 3: Install Microsoft Publisher on your virtual machine or Boot Camp.
Step 4: Open your Publisher file using the desktop version of Publisher.
Pros:
- Gives you access to the full range of features in the desktop version of Publisher.
Cons:
- Expensive option that requires a Windows license.
- Requires additional software and storage space.
- Complicated setup process.
Why Can’t I Open Publisher Files on a Mac?
There are several reasons that you may have difficulty opening Publisher files on a Mac:
1. The file is not compatible with Mac: Publisher files have a .pub extension that can’t be read by Mac computers.
2. You don’t have Microsoft Publisher: Publisher is a Windows-only application, and if you don’t have a Windows computer or a Publisher subscription, you won’t be able to open the file.
3. Microsoft Office is not updated: If you have an outdated version of Microsoft Office or Publisher, you may not be able to open the file.
Possible Fixes:
- Use one of the methods listed above to convert or open Publisher files on a Mac.
- Purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription or Windows license to access Publisher on your Mac.
- Ensure that your Microsoft Office and Publisher software is up-to-date.
Additional Tips
1. Consider using a file converter to convert Publisher files to PDFs so that they can be opened and edited on Mac.
2. Make sure that your Microsoft Office software and Publisher subscription is up-to-date to prevent compatibility issues.
3. Be cautious when using virtual machines or Boot Camp, as they require additional storage space and complex setup processes.
5 FAQs about Opening Publisher Files on a Mac
Q1: Can I open Publisher files on a Mac?
A1: Yes, you can open Publisher files on a Mac using one of the methods listed above.
Q2: Can I edit Publisher files on a Mac?
A2: Yes, you can edit Publisher files on a Mac using Microsoft Office Online or by installing virtual machines or Boot Camp.
Q3: Are there any free options for opening Publisher files on a Mac?
A3: Yes, Microsoft Office Online is a free option for opening Publisher files on a Mac.
Q4: Do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription to open Publisher files on a Mac?
A4: No, you can use alternative methods such as cloud converters or installing virtual machines or Boot Camp to open Publisher files on a Mac.
Q5: Can I use a mobile application to open Publisher files on a Mac?
A5: No, you cannot use a mobile application to open Publisher files on a Mac. Publisher files require a desktop application to open.
In Conclusion
Opening Publisher files on a Mac may seem difficult at first, but there are several methods available that can help you access and edit your files. By using Microsoft Office Online, file converters, or virtual machines and Boot Camp, you can easily open Publisher files on Mac. Additionally, keeping your Microsoft Office or Publisher subscription up-to-date and converting files to PDFs can prevent future compatibility issues.