Publisher alternative in 2026

Thanks very much for pointing to Libre Office, downloaded & installed*. I tried unsuccessfully to save a Publisher file to Word and Libre just opened one file successfully as an editable file. Publisher hasn't been my most-used program in Office 365 but I used it, for example, when a special font I had with "ligatures" (flourishes) were not available for that font in Word but they are in Publisher.

I suppose Microsoft doesn't think many people are really into using Publisher but I get tired of corporate abandonware and taking away what people paid for.

* I suppose if I get fed up with Microsoft and its subscription model I might switch to the Libre Office suite. I stuck with Microsoft for a long time because of our years of email records in Outlook, for example, but I lost access to my decades of emails, regardless, and that's no longer a motive to stick with them.

PS I just successfully opened other MS files in Libre Office, spreadsheets, Word docs, and the only limitation/comparable feature missing that I noticed is Powerpoint files export formats. I have often used Powerpoint to export slide shows to video with the same timings and audio but that's not available in Libre office.

I use Publisher for church bulletins because it has a bulletin template. I haven't seen a template in Word or PowerPoint. I guess I will have to start looking for open source software that will open pub files.

I got an email that states this

Microsoft is committed to improving your Microsoft 365 subscription. We regularly review how our subscribers use features within Microsoft products. This email includes details regarding features going away next year and reminders about current benefits included with your subscription.

Then it goes on to list all the features they are discontinuing. What a joke. How is this improving my subscription?

• Beginning March 03, 2026, you will no longer have access to 60 minutes of monthly Skype calls to mobile phones and landlines. Learn more in these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
• Beginning October 01, 2026, Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported as part of Microsoft 365. Many common Publisher scenarios are available in other Microsoft 365 apps, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Designer. 

Action Recommended: Before October 01, 2026, convert your existing Publisher files to PDF or Word format. After this date, you will no longer be able to open or edit these files with Microsoft Publisher.

Thanks, Jef. I have already downloaded LibreOffice and believe it will do the job. However, I am still hopeful something even better will turn up before Publisher cancellation date!

Cheers, Ray.

LemP Wish I could help but I don't know about how to install the 2016 for your use until 2026 and the 2024. I bought a new 2024 as well and did so thinkng it had Publisher included and have not tried to install yet. I understand this change to mean that even our currently working Publisher software will not be useable/accessable after 2026.