File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix Microsoft Publisher Exporting Zero-Byte Image Files

Huda Qurayshi Oct 15, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to successfully export a publication to an image format without it resulting in an empty, 0-byte file.

How to Fix Microsoft Publisher Exporting Zero-Byte Image Files

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Exporting publications containing high-resolution images to standard formats (PNG, JPG, GIF, TIFF) at 150 or 300 DPI.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Publisher generates a zero-byte file instead of a properly rendered image file.

Before you start

Verify that your computer has sufficient memory and storage space, and ensure the publication does not contain corrupted graphic elements before exporting.

Solution 1Recommended

Compress Large Images Before Exporting

Reduce the resolution of exceptionally large images within the publication to prevent rendering and memory errors during the export process.

When Publisher attempts to export a document containing unusually high-resolution images (especially at 150 or 300 DPI), it can fail to process the file, resulting in a zero-byte output. Compressing the images natively in the document often resolves this.

Select an image

Open your publication in Microsoft Publisher and click on any image within the document to select it.

Access Picture Format

Navigate to the 'Picture Format' tab that appears on the top ribbon, and click on 'Compress Pictures'.

Adjust resolution

Under Target Output, select 'Commercial Printing (300 ppi)' or a lower resolution such as 'Desktop Printing (220 ppi)' depending on your needs.

Apply to all pictures

Ensure the option to apply compression to all pictures in the publication is checked, then click 'OK'.

Export again

Go to File > Export or Save As, and try exporting the publication to your preferred image format (PNG, JPG, TIFF) again.

Solution 2

Export the Publication as a PDF

If standard image export continues to fail, saving the publication as a PDF is a reliable alternative for preserving layout and high-quality graphics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Publisher create a zero-byte image file?

This issue typically occurs when Publisher runs out of memory while trying to render extremely large or high-resolution images during the export process. When the software fails to process the image data at 150 or 300 DPI, it outputs an empty placeholder file.

How can I share a multi-page publication as images?

When you export a multi-page publication to an image format like JPG or PNG, Publisher exports each page as a separate, individual image file. If you prefer to keep them together, it is recommended to export the file as a single PDF instead.

Can I convert my Publisher PDF into high-quality JPGs later?

Yes. If Publisher fails to export directly to JPG, you can bypass the error by exporting the document as a PDF first. Once saved, you can use a dedicated PDF editor or a free converter tool to extract the PDF pages into high-resolution JPG images.

Document & File Issues