Publisher for Mac: open and edit .pub files on your Mac

Microsoft Publisher on a Mac today

No Mac app opens .pub files properly, and Microsoft has announced that Publisher's support ends in October 2026. Your files still need Publisher to open as they were designed.

What you get with the Windows version

Open, edit and print .pub files
Save as PDF to share with anyone
Publisher 2016 on its own or from an Office 2016 suite

Versions with a ready-made setup

Pick one in the Setup Center of CrossDriver App. It creates its own environment, installs the components the app needs and runs the official installer; you bring the installer and your license.

Microsoft Publisher 2016 Experimental

2016 (standalone or from an Office 2016 suite, MSI)

Install Publisher 2016 with your own media and product key.

What you need Bring your own license

Good to know

The setup wizard runs in its own window. Enter your product key there; CrossDriver never activates for you.
Office 2010–2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7. Enter your product key in the setup wizard or later under File > Account.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2016 (volume license) Experimental

2016 Professional Plus, volume license MSI (16.0.4266.1001, x64)

Install Office Professional Plus 2016 from your organization's volume license (VLSC) media and activate it with your MAK or KMS.

What you need Bring your organization's volume license. You enter the MAK in Office (or Office finds your KMS host) and Office activates with Microsoft or your KMS; CrossDriver never activates or bypasses activation.

Good to know

Office 2016 activates through Office's own licensing service (OSPP), which runs on Windows 7; that is why this container reports Windows 7.
MAK: open any app, File > Account > Change Product Key, enter your MAK, then let Office activate online.
PowerPoint needs Office's own riched20.dll; the compatibility layer already sets this for POWERPNT.EXE.
If an app failed to start once, the next start asks about safe mode; answer No.
.NET Framework 4.8 and the IE11 engine are downloaded from Microsoft and generated on this Mac; you confirm Microsoft's license terms once for each.
Only Microsoft's own setup program is run. Don't use third-party activation tools that come with downloaded packages: CrossDriver supports only Microsoft's own activation.

The labels are the ones the App shows. Experimental: works in our tests but not yet verified end to end on every Mac. Known issues: works, with the limits listed.

How to run Microsoft Publisher on your Mac

Download CrossDriver AppDrag it into Applications like any other Mac app. The preview includes every Pro feature for free, and the free edition needs no account.
Drag in the installerOr pick an app in the Setup Center. CrossDriver App gets the runtimes, fonts and settings it needs ready for you.
Open it like a Mac appDouble-click and go. Add it to Applications, and from then on open it from Launchpad or Spotlight.

Questions about Microsoft Publisher on a Mac

Is there Microsoft Publisher for Mac?

No. Publisher has only ever existed for Windows. CrossDriver App runs Publisher 2016 for Windows on your Mac.

How do I open a .pub file on a Mac?

Install Publisher in CrossDriver App and double-click the .pub file. To share it, save it as PDF from Publisher.

Which Publisher version works?

Publisher 2016, standalone or as part of Office 2016 Professional or Professional Plus, activated with your own key.

I only have a few old .pub files. Is that worth it?

Install Publisher once, open each file and save it as PDF (or export it). The free edition is enough for personal use.