PUB file format
| Extension | .pub |
| Category | documents |
| Main program | Microsoft Publisher |
| Description | Microsoft Publisher, an integral part of the Microsoft Office suite, utilizes the PUB file format. This format contains a wide range of elements, including images, graphics, formatted text, and various other objects. While it handles such a diverse range of content, the PUB format is often preferred for amateur publishing, as industry professionals typically use more sophisticated formats. |
| Technical details | PUB files, identified by their unique extension, have undergone improvements since their third version, compatible with Windows 95. This evolution continues to version 14, compatible with Microsoft Publisher 2010. This format update directly reflects the software's increasing compatibility. A key limitation of the PUB file format is its lack of portability. It cannot be opened by other applications, such as Microsoft Word, making it difficult to share these documents with others. This lack of interoperability can hinder smooth collaboration and efficient workflows. While a trial version of Microsoft Publisher allows viewing of .pub documents, this doesn't fully solve the sharing and collaboration problems. In summary, although the PUB file format is often used for amateur publishing due to its versatility, its non-portability and incompatibility with other applications are significant drawbacks. These limitations, despite improvements, remain a concern for many users. |
| MIME type | application/x-mspublisher |