Question

Unable to open a 2003 publisher file with 2007.

Asked by: Worldsplayground

I am trying to open a document that was created nearly 3 years ago using Publisher 2003 with Publisher 2007.  Each time I click on this file, that now needs updating - I receive the message of "Publisher cannot open this file".

I have opened other 2003 pub files on my computer and have never experienced this problem.
I followed Microsoft KB page that mentioned to create a new DWord in the registry, but this did not fix the problem either.
I tried copying and saving the file with a new name and also trying to open the file on another computer that has Publisher 2007 in it.

Nothing seems to work.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

This Question has been solved and asker verified All Experts Exchange premium technology solutions are available to subscription members.

Subscribe now for full access to Experts Exchange and get

Instant Access to this Solution

  • Plus...
  • 30 Day FREE access, no risk, no obligation
  • Collaborate with the world's top tech experts
  • Unlimited access to our exclusive solution database
  • Never be left without tech help again

Subscribe Now

Asked On
2008-08-09 at 06:09:24ID23634957
Tags

Publisher cannot open file

Topics

Microsoft Publisher

,

Microsoft Office Suite

Participating Experts
6
Points
500
Comments
28

Trusted by hundreds of thousands everyday for fast, accurate and reliable tech support.

  • "The time we save is the biggest benefit of Experts Exchange to Warner Bros. What could take multiple guys 2 hours or more each to find is accessed in around 15 minutes on Experts Exchange." Mike Kapnisakis, Warner Bros.
  • "Our team likes having a resource that is more secure than just using Google and most experts using this service really know their stuff. It's nice to look here first versus using Google." Dayna Sellner, Lockheed Martin
  • "Anytime that I've been stumped with a problem, 9 out of 10 times Experts Exchange has either the accepted solution or an open discussion of the potential solution to the problem." Kenny Red, eBay Inc.

See what Experts Exchange can do for you.

Got a question?

We've got the answer.

Experts Exchange has been collecting answers to technology questions since 1996…3 million and counting! If you have a question, chances are we already have your answer.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Need individual assistance?

Our experts are ready to help.

If you can't find the exact answer you're looking for, ask our exclusive community of 50,000 experts. You’ll get a personalized answer from a trusted professional.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Want to learn from the best?

Read articles from industry experts.

Thousands of free tech tips, tricks, how-to’s and tutorials are available in our peer reviewed articles section. See for yourself how smart our experts are, no login required.

Screenshot of an Article

Working on a long term project?

Store your work and research.

Save solutions to your questions, answers you’ve discovered through searching plus helpful articles in your personal knowledgebase for easy future access.

Screenshot of Experts Exchange Knowledgebase

Access the answers to your technology questions today.

Subscribe Now

30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.

What Makes Experts Exchange Unique?

Members of the expert community talk about why the experience at Experts Exchange is different than what you will find anywhere else.

Trusted by the world's most respected brands.

image of each brand's logo

Faithfully serving IT professionals since 1996.

Experts Exchange Logo

Try it out and discover for yourself.

Subscribe Now

30-day free trial. Register in 60 seconds.

Related Solutions

  1. How do I open a .pub file without microsoft publisher for …
    How would I go about opening a file for use with the extension .pub if I do not have the program (Microsoft Publisher)? If unable to open the file without the program (Microsoft Publisher)can you provide me some optional programs (hopefully something free)? Note: I am un...
  2. Extension .pub
    I need help with a file with the extension .pub. Thank you
  3. Unable to Publish
    Hello, I have a Website running FrontPage extensions and I am using FrontPage 2003. I am attempting to publish my local site to the server via. FrontPage extensions. Each time I try to connect, I get the error: "Unable to open 'site'. Possible causes: 1. The web server...
  4. Can i open a microsoft publisher file .pub in Linux?
    Hi! I use Knoppix 4.0 (also have Mepis and Ubuntu) and i would like to know if i can somehow open a .pub file (Microsoft Publisher) in Linux? In other words, are there any tools in my Linux flavors that i can use to open and print a .pub files? Thanks a lot!!!
  5. Unable to restore publisher 2003 settings from OPS file
    I have used the office resource kit to create custom settings in office with the Profile Wizard. I can get the OPS file to restore settings in outlook, excel, word, access and powerpoint with no porblems. The one that is driving me nutz is Publisher. Every attempt to restore ...

Free Tech Articles

  1. WARNING: 5 Reasons why you should NEVER fix a computer for free.
    It is in our nature to love the puzzle. We are obsessed. The lot of us. We love puzzles. We love the challenge. We thrive on finding the answer. We hate disarray. It bothers us deep in our soul. W...
  2. SCCM OSD Basic troubleshooting
    SCCM 2007 OSD is a fantastic way to deploy operating systems, however, like most things SCCM issues can sometimes be difficult to resolve due to the sheer volume of logs to sift through and the dispe...
  3. Migrate Small Business Server 2003 to Exchange 2010 and Windows 2008 R2
    This guide is intended to provide step by step instructions on how to migrate from Small Business Server 2003 to Windows 2008 R2 with Exchange 2010. For this migration to work you will need the fo...
  4. Create a Win7 Gadget
    This article shows you how to create a simple "Gadget" -- a sort of mini-application supported by Windows 7 and Vista. Gadgets can be dropped anywhere on the desktop to provide instant information, ...
  5. Outlook continually prompting for username and password
    There have been a lot of questions recently regarding Outlook prompting for a username and password whilst using Exchange 2007. There are a few reasons why this would happen and I will try to cover t...
  6. Backup Exchange 2010 Information Store using Windows Backup
    There seems to be quite a lot of confusion around the ability to backup Exchange 2010 using the built in Windows Backup feature. This stems from the omission of this feature prior to Exchange 2007 s...

Cloud Class Webinars

  1. Avoiding Bugs in Microsoft Access
    Alison Balter takes and in-depth look at avoiding bugs in Access. In this webinar you will learn about using the immediate window to debug your applications, invoking the debugger, using breakpoints to troubleshoot, stepping through code, setting the next statement to execute, ...
  2. Top 10 Best New Features in Visio 2010
    Scott Helmers gives live demonstrations of the top 10 new features in Visio 2010. This webinar will teach you how to create compelling diagrams by adding shapes to the page with a single click, linking the shapes in a diagram to data in Excel (or SQL Server, or SharePoint), ...
  3. IT Consultant Business Secrets Revealed
    Michael Munger, Experts Exchange tech pro and IT consultant, pulls back the curtain on his very successful businesses and answers question on every IT consultant and business owner should know about. He shares secrets on what he did to solve the 5 most common problems in IT, ...
  4. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
    Quest CTO, Mike Billon, gives an overview of the steps involved in building a dunamic disaster recovery plan. Through case studies and an examination of software/hardware tooles for monitoring and testing, you'll gain a better understandin of where you are, where you want ...
  5. Organize Your Visio Diagrams with Containers and Lists
    Scott Helmers uses cross functional flowcharts, wireframe diagrams, data graphic legends and seating charts to teach you: how to ustilize all three new structured diagram components in Visio 2010, the best practices for organizeing shapes in previous version of Visio, how to organize ...
  6. How to Us Objects, Properties, Events and Methods in Microsoft Access
    Alison Dalter gives an in-depbth look at objects, properties, events and methods in Microsoft Access. In this webinar you will learn about using the object browser, referring to objects, working with properties and methods, working with object variables, understanding the ...

Join the Community

Give a Little. Get a Lot.

Join the community of experts here and help other tech pros by answering question in your area of expertise. You can earn FREE access to all Experts Exchange's premium features and resources.

Join the Community

Answers

 

by: JOrzechPosted on 2008-08-19 at 11:31:00ID: 22262459

Hi:

Don't know much about this, but found this article which may be helpful - perhaps the copy suggestion they mention....http://support.microsoft.com/kb/198256/en-us

Good luck.

 

by: JOrzechPosted on 2008-08-19 at 11:34:01ID: 22262479

Also a security update may be the problem:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928890/en-us

 

by: boag2000Posted on 2008-08-24 at 02:38:53ID: 22300040

Worldsplayground,

Open the file in Publisher 2003, then save it as a Publisher 2000 file.
Then try opening this new Publisher 2000 file in Publisher 2007.

JeffCoachman

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2008-11-07 at 18:09:08ID: 22910102

Hi Guys,

I have tried everything as it suggested and still can't open the file.  Any other suggestions

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2008-11-07 at 18:09:40ID: 22910108

Oh by the way, I don't have Publisher 2003 anymore - I only have 2007, so can't do what Boag2000 suggested.

 

by: jason1178Posted on 2008-11-07 at 23:05:06ID: 22911229

If you are only having problems with the one file, it may be corrupted.

 

by: JOrzechPosted on 2008-11-12 at 10:29:18ID: 22942585

Well, if you can upload the file, I'll see if I can open it in 2007

 

by: boag2000Posted on 2008-11-12 at 21:15:47ID: 22947314

Well you can still save it in 2007 as a Publisher 98 or 200 file, try that as well

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2008-12-20 at 03:15:52ID: 23217762

How do I save it as Publisher 98/2000 file, when I can't open it?

 

by: boag2000Posted on 2008-12-20 at 09:18:01ID: 23218938

Worldsplayground,

Re-load Office 2003 on one machine.
Open the file normally
Select: File-->Save As
Select Publisher 98/2000

JeffCoachman

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-01-09 at 16:01:31ID: 23341555

Tried that, still doesn't open.  Any other suggestions.

 

by: boag2000Posted on 2009-01-09 at 16:13:46ID: 23341612

Worldsplayground,

Can you post this "incorrigible" file here?
;-)

Perhaps one of us can get it working for you.

JeffCoachman

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-01-09 at 17:46:26ID: 23341950

I have been trying and trying to attach the file, using WinZip and each time I do, I get the following message ...

The extension of one or more files in the archive is not in the list of allowed extensions: Casualty Report Form.pub.  This is not true as the file I am attaching has been zipped using WinZip.  Therefore I have attached a link to my secure website, where you will be able to download the file.  Simply copy and paste the following URL to download the file.

https://secure.logmein.com/f?-wSBhB45qcHvhfaNYQKR21AF6di3tka99m5se.vRoOf

 

by: boag2000Posted on 2009-01-11 at 03:33:54ID: 23347828

Worldsplayground,

Your file appears to be corrupt.

I was unable to open it in Publisher 2007, 2003, or 2000.

Can you re-install publisher 2003 to verify that it still opens?


As far as I can see you have 3 options:
1. recreate the from from scratch
2. If it opens in 2003, save it with a different name (Casualty Report form 2) and see if this new file will open in 2007.
3. Again, if it opens in 2003, use Ctrl-A to select everything in the doucument and paste it inot a new document.
Save this new document as something like: Casualty Report Form New

JeffCoachman

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-01-11 at 23:23:42ID: 23351532

Thanks Jeff,
I tried to re-installing Publisher 2003 and I have the same problem.  It doesn't seem to open.  Ah well.
Back to the drawing board.

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-01-11 at 23:25:15ID: 31533460

Unfortunately, the solution was meant to work, but the problem just couldn't be resolved.

 

by: TimFrolingPosted on 2009-06-24 at 19:32:16ID: 24707667

I upgraded a dozen machines last night and whoopsie can't open publisher files today.

The .pub files are not corrupt and can be opened in Pub2003 OK.
Apparently MS helpdesk said a fix should be available end of June 2009, until then I've un-installed SP2 using this tool http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/954914 which has solved the problem for now.

 

by: boag2000Posted on 2009-06-25 at 04:55:46ID: 24710385

Great, good job researching this

 

by: TimFrolingPosted on 2009-06-25 at 05:35:52ID: 24710682

Cheers. To clarify, I upgraded Office 2007 to SP2 which is what I uninstalled. Not Vista SP2 which I did at the same time, and I doubt you could uninstall anyway.  ;-)

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-06-25 at 05:38:35ID: 24710704

Thanks Guys, will try the fix and see what happens.

 

by: DDTPPGPosted on 2009-10-23 at 11:08:00ID: 25646832

Microsoft is releasing a second hotfix for this problem next week (week of 10/26/09).

 

by: scocoPosted on 2009-11-05 at 11:34:39ID: 25753034

I had the same problem and found a hotfix that solves this.  See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972566/en-us

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-11-23 at 02:07:58ID: 25886267

Unfortunately, my file still seems to be unable to open.  I downloaded the HOTFIX as suggested and ran the file and tried the to open the *.pub file in question and the problem has not been rectified.

Thanks for the help!  Disappointingly it hasn't worked for me.

 

by: TimFrolingPosted on 2009-11-23 at 02:50:58ID: 25886441

Worldsplayground,
did you try the SP uninstall. I've done this successfully on a couple of occasions.

 

by: scocoPosted on 2009-11-23 at 09:51:19ID: 25889772

I did notice that one user had the .PUB extension mapped to Microsoft Photoviewer.  When I re-mapped the extension to Publisher everything worked after the hotfix was installed.  I'm not really sure how the extension got mapped incorrectly.

Worldplayground, maybe this is your problem too.

 

by: WorldsplaygroundPosted on 2009-11-23 at 17:01:49ID: 25893058

Thanks scoco, however I checked my file associations and .pub is only associated with Microsoft Office Publisher.  File still won't open.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

3 Ways to Join

30-Day Free Trial

The Experts

98% positive feedback on 31,087 answers since March 2000. angeliii is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for his work with MS SQL Server & Develoment.

He has also proven his knowledge of Visual Basic Programming, PHP Scripting and Oracle Databases.

The Experts

97% positive feedback on 10,752 answers since July 2000. lrmoore has more than 18 years experience in the networking industry.

The six-time Mircosoft MVPs specialties include firewalls, virtual private networking, and network management.

Testimonials

"...and excellent source for support... Kind of like having your very own IT dept." Electriciansnet

Testimonials

"I was apprehensive at signing up at first. However... it has already made my life as an IT administrator much easier." JaCrews

Testimonials

"WOW! You guys have great, active, and knowledgeable people on here." moore50

Business Clients

Business Clients

In the Press

"If you’ve got a question... Experts Exchange can supply an answer.”

In the Press

"...an invaluable aid for both IT professionals and those who require tech support."

In the Press

"where IT professionals provide quick answers on just about any topic"

Business Account Plans

Loading Advertisement...