File Cannot Open

Fix Microsoft Publisher Opening Only the First Page of a OneDrive File

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where a Microsoft Publisher file downloaded from OneDrive only shows the first page, even though the file size indicates all data is present.

Product: Microsoft Publisher, OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening a synced or downloaded Microsoft Publisher file from a OneDrive account.
Observed behavior: The Publisher document opens successfully, but only the first page is visible despite the file retaining its full original size.

Before you start

Verify that your Microsoft 365 subscription is active and ensure your Microsoft Publisher application is updated to the latest version before proceeding.

Solution 1Recommended

Troubleshoot Publisher View Settings and Test Device

Adjusting the view settings and testing the file on an alternate device can help determine if the problem is a local display glitch or a corrupted file.

Often, files downloaded from cloud storage platforms like OneDrive might encounter temporary rendering issues in Microsoft Publisher. Because the file size remains the same, the data for the missing pages is likely intact but simply not displaying.

Change Publisher View Settings

Open the affected file in Microsoft Publisher. Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and toggle between different view modes (e.g., Single Page, Two-Page Spread, or Master Page). Switching views can force the application to refresh and render the hidden pages.

Test on Another Device

Transfer the .pub file to a USB drive or email it to yourself, then open it on a different computer that has Microsoft Publisher installed. If it opens correctly, the issue is specific to your original device's installation.

Check Subscription and OneDrive Details

Confirm your Microsoft 365 subscription status and note whether you are using a personal or business OneDrive account. Conflicting accounts or expired subscriptions can occasionally restrict document access or features.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Publisher file size look normal but pages are missing?

If the file size remains large, the document data is still intact. The missing pages are typically caused by an incomplete OneDrive sync, a corrupted local application cache, or a rendering glitch in Publisher.

How can I force OneDrive to completely re-download my Publisher file?

Right-click the affected file in your local OneDrive folder, select 'Free up space' to remove the corrupted local copy, and then double-click the file to force OneDrive to download a fresh version from the cloud.

Can I open Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files in WPS Office?

No, WPS Office does not natively support the Microsoft Publisher (.pub) format. You will need Microsoft Publisher to edit these files natively, or you can export them to PDF from Publisher to view them in WPS PDF.

Document & File Issues