when publisher expires what do I use?

Jody Anderson 5 Reputation points
2026-06-03T14:13:48.3366667+00:00

When Microsoft Publisher expires what do I do with my documents?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | For business
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  1. AI answer

    2026-06-03T14:14:09.4+00:00

    Microsoft Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. What happens next and what to use depends on the type of Publisher license and what is needed with the existing documents.

    1. Access to Publisher after October 2026
    • Microsoft 365 subscription (Publisher for Microsoft 365):
      • Publisher will no longer be included in Microsoft 365.
      • Publisher will no longer be available for installation or download.
      • Publisher files (.pub) can no longer be opened or edited in Publisher after that date.
    • Perpetual/desktop versions (for example, Publisher 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 as part of Office Professional or Office LTSC 2021):
      • Support ends October 1, 2026.
      • The installed app continues to work after that date and can still open and edit .pub files, but it will not receive updates.
    1. What to do with existing Publisher documents Before October 2026, it is recommended to convert important .pub files to other formats so they remain usable even without Publisher:
    • To keep a view-only copy (for archiving or sharing):
      1. Open the .pub file in Publisher.
      2. Select File > Save As.
      3. Choose a location.
      4. Select PDF as the file type.
      5. Select Save.
      • This preserves layout for viewing and printing but not detailed editing.
    • To keep an editable copy in Word:
      1. First convert the .pub file to PDF as above.
      2. Open Word.
      3. Go to File > Open and select the PDF.
      4. Confirm the prompt to convert to an editable Word document.
      • The document is optimized for text editing; layout may change, especially with many graphics.
    • To convert many .pub files in bulk:
      • Use a PowerShell script to automate export from Publisher to PDF for all files in a folder (and optionally subfolders). The script uses Publisher’s export functions and can be run against thousands of files.
    1. What to use instead of Publisher for new work Many common Publisher scenarios can be handled in other Microsoft 365 apps:
    • Ads or flyers: Word, PowerPoint, or Designer
    • Brochures: Word or PowerPoint
    • Banners, signs, posters: PowerPoint or Designer
    • Certificates: Word or PowerPoint
    • Business cards: Word or PowerPoint
    • Business invoices, applications, forms: Word
    • Calendars: Word or PowerPoint
    • Envelopes: Word
    • Labels: Word
    • Letterhead: Word
    • Newsletters: Word
    • Programs and folded paper projects: Word
    • Cards (greeting, compliment, etc.): Word, PowerPoint, or Designer

    For many of these, templates are available in Word and PowerPoint and via Microsoft Create.

    1. If Publisher must continue to be used
    • If ongoing full editing of .pub files is required beyond October 2026, a perpetual desktop version of Office that includes Publisher (for example, Office Professional 2021) can be used on a PC where it is installed. It will continue to open and edit .pub files even after support ends, but without further updates.
    1. How to find Publisher files to prepare
    • Search for “.pub” on the PC, OneDrive, or SharePoint to locate all Publisher documents that may need conversion or migration.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Ruby-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-03T16:25:55.3933333+00:00

    Good day @Jody Anderson, and I appreciate the clear explanation of your concern.   

    I understand how inconvenient it is to hear that Publisher is being retired. Unfortunately, Microsoft has shared that, in order to focus on delivering new benefits and improvements, some products and features are occasionally retired.  

    Below is some information you may find helpful as the retirement approaches: 

    Note: You can refer to this information in Q&A Assist; however, I’ve highlighted some key points below for your convenience. 

    • You’ll still be able to open, edit, and save your existing Publisher files until October 2026:   

    During this time, Publisher will continue to work as usual and all your existing files will remain accessible.   

    After October 1, 2026, Publisher will no longer be supported and it will be removed from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Perpetual versions (like Office LTSC 2021) also lose support at that time.   

    Unfortunately, there’s no option to revert or re-enable Publisher once it’s retired.   

    • If you have a standalone version of Publisher, you may keep using it beyond this date. 

    However, please note that after October 1, 2026, Microsoft will no longer provide updates or technical support. The software will still function, and your existing documents will remain accessible.   

    That said, using an unsupported version may lead to security vulnerabilities and compatibility challenges over time. 

    • Prepare your Publisher files before October 2026. 

    To ensure you continue to access your documents without interruption, I recommend converting your existing Publisher files to another format before October 2026: 

    Step 1: Convert Publisher files to PDF 

    Open your Publisher file. 

    Select File, then choose Save As. 

    Choose the location where you would like to save the file. 

    In the file type dropdown, select PDF. 

    Click Save. 

    Step 2: Convert Publisher files to Word via PDF 

    Open Microsoft Word. 

    Select File, then choose Open. 

    Browse and select the saved PDF file. 

    Click OK when prompted. 

    The file will open as a Word document and can be edited. 

    Note: The converted Word document is optimized for text editing. Because of this, the layout may not match the original Publisher file exactly, especially if the document includes complex graphics or formatting. 

    • You can transition your workflows to other Microsoft 365 apps:   

    In the official Microsoft support article: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 - Microsoft Support, you’ll also find a section highlighting recommended alternatives to Microsoft Publisher. This resource can help you explore options that best fit your future publishing needs.     

    User's image

    If you’re looking for future-ready alternatives, here are some excellent options:   

    • Affinity Publisher (by Canva): A one-time purchase offering robust layout features such as master pages, bleed settings, styles, and PDF/X export. Ideal for multi-page booklets with full text and graphic control.   
    • Adobe InDesign: The industry standard for professional layout and booklet production. Includes a native “Print Booklet” feature for automated page imposition, bleed, and printer marks.   

    Note: These apps are shared by the community for your convenience and are provided by third parties. They are not managed, developed, or verified by Microsoft. I can't guarantee the quality, safety, or suitability of the apps, or any content or software they may include. Please review them carefully and ensure you understand any potential risks before using them. 

    I completely understand that the upcoming retirement of Publisher may cause disruption and impact your existing workflows. It’s not just about visual differences; these differences can genuinely affect how smoothly you work and navigate your day. 

    I’m really sorry, I know this isn’t the outcome you were hoping for. As a forum moderator, I hope you understand that I don’t have the ability to modify or escalate product issues directly. However, I strongly recommend submitting your feedback through the Ideas · Community. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.  

    Once you've submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’ll be happy to upvote it to help bring more visibility. If you prefer, I can also submit this great idea on your behalf. Just let me know, and I’ll post it for you and share the link once it’s published. I’m here to help ensure your feedback gets the attention it deserves. 

    Additionally, as other users have raised similar concerns and may not be aware of where to share their feedback, I hope this response helps clarify the situation and suggests a potential next step. Highlighting this information can make it more visible to others in the community who may be facing the same issue, making it easier for them to find guidance and contribute their feedback as well. 

    Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. 

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have any extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".            

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread. 

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