How to convert all my publisher files to something else

Question

How to convert all my publisher files to something else

Jenny Miller 105

I need something convert all my publisher files to what since microsoft is getting rid of it? I have a lot and i use them often.

Alex_T 6,380 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-11T19:17:47.36+00:00

Hi Jenny Miller,

I wonder if your issue is solved or not. I haven't received any updates from you, and I hope that your issue has been resolved.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it to help others in this community to solve similar problems.

Very appreciate,

Alex
Jenny Miller 105 Reputation points

2025-11-18T19:08:27.02+00:00

I have way too many files to do that one by one......years upon years of files.
Jenny Miller 105 Reputation points

2026-04-18T22:31:29.8533333+00:00

UPDATE: I as well have been trying to use PowerPoint in place of Publisher since Word is only good to write letters. I have a subscription with PicMonkey and make everything in that now, then use PP to print. I've asked PicMonkey to add a print feature, and if they do, i will no longer pay to use Microsoft. I have not yet converted all Publisher files yet as that is so time consuming. By the way, you can put PP in portrait layout : Go to the Design tab, then click the slide size button, then click on custom slide side where you will then see Portrait. I still prefer publisher until i find something the same as it.
Mark Windsor 55 Reputation points

2026-04-19T03:17:17.0266667+00:00

Thanks for sharing Jenny. Another option could be Affinity by Canva. I have saved a publisher file (saved as PDF then opened in Affinity). There is a free version and paid version. It's OK - keeps the layout but if you've grouped pictures or objects, ungroup them prior to saving as a PDF. Also tables, text boxes and text are formatted as individual lines. Cumbersome to a degree if you want to work on these files. The annoying thing is that Publisher was a paid programme, it was not standard with MS, I'm pretty sure they'll have a clause in the T&Cs that negate any refund/compensation. Really poor form.

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Alex_T 6,380 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-08-11T19:17:47.36+00:00

Hi Jenny Miller,

I wonder if your issue is solved or not. I haven't received any updates from you, and I hope that your issue has been resolved.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it to help others in this community to solve similar problems.

Very appreciate,

Alex
Jenny Miller 105 Reputation points

2025-11-18T19:08:27.02+00:00

I have way too many files to do that one by one......years upon years of files.
Jenny Miller 105 Reputation points

2026-04-18T22:31:29.8533333+00:00

UPDATE: I as well have been trying to use PowerPoint in place of Publisher since Word is only good to write letters. I have a subscription with PicMonkey and make everything in that now, then use PP to print. I've asked PicMonkey to add a print feature, and if they do, i will no longer pay to use Microsoft. I have not yet converted all Publisher files yet as that is so time consuming. By the way, you can put PP in portrait layout : Go to the Design tab, then click the slide size button, then click on custom slide side where you will then see Portrait. I still prefer publisher until i find something the same as it.
Mark Windsor 55 Reputation points

2026-04-19T03:17:17.0266667+00:00

Thanks for sharing Jenny. Another option could be Affinity by Canva. I have saved a publisher file (saved as PDF then opened in Affinity). There is a free version and paid version. It's OK - keeps the layout but if you've grouped pictures or objects, ungroup them prior to saving as a PDF. Also tables, text boxes and text are formatted as individual lines. Cumbersome to a degree if you want to work on these files. The annoying thing is that Publisher was a paid programme, it was not standard with MS, I'm pretty sure they'll have a clause in the T&Cs that negate any refund/compensation. Really poor form.

Answer 1

Dena Rhoades 30

I agree. I have years of files and too many to change over to awkward Word. Please leave Publisher alone and let us continue to use it. Thank you.

Mark Windsor 55 Reputation points

2025-11-17T06:31:26.63+00:00

Also we have paid for MS Suite which includes Publisher. So effectively MS are withdrawing something we've paid for.

Answer 2

Jenny Miller 105

I have way too many files to do that one by one......years upon years of files.

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Answer 3

Mark Windsor 55

I agree, I've been working on a file that is now over 200 pages with images & formatting. PowerPoint is no good as you cannot work on it in a portrait layout. Converting to PDF then opening as word is also frustrating as it is not formatted correctly. A very disappointing decision by Microsoft.

Ravi Shankar 20 Reputation points

2025-10-19T19:03:15.6166667+00:00

I agree with Mark Windsor. I am a teacher and have found publisher invaluable for making worksheets for my class. I do understand why MS are sunsetting Publisher since there are much better DTP packages available, but schools buy into the MS suite which includes publisher. It may not be the best DTP programme on the market, but it's the only one that all teachers have access to. I don't understand why they just don't keep it the way it is. I'm happy if it's not updated just as long as I can keep using it.
Mark Windsor 55 Reputation points

2025-10-19T19:38:02.9633333+00:00

Absolutely, keep it the way it is. No upgrades required, just leave it be. Especially if you have projects that are ongoing. Now they're effectively forcing you to use other DTP, reformatting your work & may eventually mean you look at a whole new suite other than MS.
Resa Haile 25 Reputation points

2025-11-17T01:59:53.88+00:00

You can put PowerPoint in portrait by going to Design>Slide Size>Custom Slide Size>select Portrait

I have been trying to convert to PowerPoint, which doesn’t bring over all the shapes and boxes, however. Trying to paste them, and it flat-out won’t. So this is terrible!
Jenny Miller 105 Reputation points

2026-04-18T22:31:14.2633333+00:00

UPDATE: I as well have been trying to use PowerPoint in place of Publisher since Word is only good to write letters. I have a subscription with PicMonkey and make everything in that now, then use PP to print. I've asked PicMonkey to add a print feature, and if they do, i will no longer pay to use Microsoft. I have not yet converted all Publisher files yet as that is so time consuming. By the way, you can put PP in portrait layout : Go to the Design tab, then click the slide size button, then click on custom slide side where you will then see Portrait. I still prefer publisher until i find something the same as it.

Answer 4

Kathie Wright 20

I have tried to convert a couple of my files to .docx or PDF. none work. Either, as in Word they dont support the formatting or as in PDF editing is difficult. Microsoft, Please find a way to keep the formatting even if inside another app.

LC 10 Reputation points

2026-04-02T21:15:43.33+00:00

Very true! Editing my files is almost impossible. I have years of files; there is no way to convert by October!

Answer 5

JeffL 20

Like Jenny, I have tons of .pub files. Is there a way to convert them en masse to something that MS will support beyond Oct 2026?

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How to convert all my publisher files to something else

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