Welcome to the Web side of Publisher...

You didn't specify which version of Publisher you are using, and one of the
standard widths is 760 pixels. 800 is fine, but don't specify the length.
Unless you are using Pub 2002, Publisher will automatically truncate the
page after the last design element on the page, leaving you custom length
pages.

I now understand what you were talking about in terms of why you wanted to
extend your banner and other elements into the scratch area. The problem is
that Publisher web pages are left justified by default. I notice that you
responded to another post about this, and my advice is to read the reference
that I gave in that one to understand padding. If you are using Pub 2000 or
2002, then it is possible to center the page, but it requires hand coding,
and most people find it too inconvenient to pursue.

Reference: Understanding background padding in a Publisher web (aka white
space):
http://msmvps.com/blogs/dbartosik/archive/2006/01/07/80563.aspx

If nothing else, add a background color or texture to your pages and that
alone will make the "white space" look better...or you can make your page
wider, but avoid making it too wide. Too wide and the viewer may have to
scroll horizontally, which is a quick way to alienate them. The standard is
800 pixels or less, but that has been changing. Pub 2007 now offers a 984
pixel wide page as a standard. Another poster here prefers an even wider
page:
http://www.breladecockerspaniels.co.uk/
The subject is debatable, but do not overlap into the scratch area. It will
create problems.

Now as to the index.htm file etc., unless you are using Pub 2002, then when
you Publish to the Web, both the index.htm file and the index_files folder
are the output. I don't know why you aren't getting the index.htm file,
unless you are using 2002. You can test this yourself. Instead of directing
your output to the web, direct it to a folder on your computer where you can
easily find it. Then open the folder and inspect the contents.

Here is another reference that is probably worth reading. It is for Pub
2007, but gives a good all around description of how Publisher works:

Prepare, publish, and maintain your Publisher Web site:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/publisher/HA100947601033.aspx
It is written for Pub 2007, but if you are using IE7 instead of IE6, then
the directions for using Vista would apply. FTP uploading has changed with
the introduction of IE7.

Let me know if all this clears things up for you.

DavidF