Publisher Questions

Ditchwalker Editor 0 Reputation points
2026-06-20T15:50:40.3333333+00:00

Is there a way to save all the Publisher Files I have to PDF without doing it one file at a time?

Can I keep using Publisher after Oct 2026, and save them as PDF in my computer in 2027 and beyond?

Can I access all my Publisher Files after Oct 2026? Or will they just not open?

How can I actually talk to somone to answer all these questions?

Thank you, [Moderator note: Personally Identifiable Information removed]

[Moderator note: Personally Identifiable Information removed]@outlook.com or [Moderator note: Personally Identifiable Information removed]@live.com

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | For business

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Ana Le 2,615 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-06-22T12:49:12.23+00:00

    Hi @Ditchwalker Editor,

    Microsoft has announced that Publisher will reach end of support in October 2026. You can find the official announcement and FAQ here:

    Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026

    Regarding your questions:

    1/ Can I save all Publisher files to PDF at once?

    Yes. Microsoft provides guidance, including a sample PowerShell script, for bulk-converting Publisher files to PDF. Details are available in the article above.

    2/ Can I keep using Publisher after October 2026 and save PDFs in 2027 and beyond?

    If you use Publisher through a Microsoft 365 subscription, Publisher will no longer be supported or available after October 2026.

    If you own a perpetual version such as Publisher 2021, the application may continue to run after support ends, but it will no longer receive updates or support.

    3/ Can I still access my Publisher files after October 2026?

    Your .pub files will not be deleted. However, Microsoft recommends converting important Publisher files to PDF or another supported format before October 2026. If you are using Publisher through Microsoft 365, you may not be able to open those files in Publisher after the retirement date.

    4/ How can I speak with someone?

    While Microsoft has not provided a dedicated support channel specifically for Publisher retirement questions, the article above covers the most common scenarios and recommendations.

    If you have any additional questions or if there is a specific Publisher workflow you’re concerned about, feel free to reply to this thread and I’ll be happy to help clarify further.

    Was this answer helpful?

  2. AI answer

    2026-06-20T15:51:06.2433333+00:00
    1. Saving all Publisher files to PDF without doing it one by one Yes. Bulk conversion is possible using a PowerShell script provided as an example:
    2. Ensure a working, licensed version of Publisher is installed on the computer.
    3. Download the sample script Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 from the article under Example conversion script.
    4. Modify the script as needed.
    5. Open a PowerShell window with the required execution policy (see the execution policy guidance in the same article).
    6. Run the script against folders containing .pub files. Example commands:
      • Single file:
        • Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "C:\\Documents\\MyFile.pub"
      • All .pub files in the current folder:
        • Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "*.pub"
      • All .pub files in current folder and subfolders:
        • Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "*.pub" -Recurse
      • All .pub files in a specific folder:
        • Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "C:\\Documents\\*.pub"

    The script is designed to continue even if some files fail and will show which files converted and which failed.

    1. Using Publisher after October 2026 and saving to PDF in 2027+

    This depends on which type of Publisher is in use:

    • Microsoft 365 subscription (Publisher included with Microsoft 365):
      • After October 2026, Publisher will no longer be available for installation or download.
      • Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher after that date.
      • That means saving as PDF in 2027 and beyond with the Microsoft 365 version of Publisher will not be possible.
    • Perpetual (one-time purchase) version of Publisher (for example, part of Office Professional):
      • Support ends October 1, 2026, but the app can still be installed and used beyond that date.
      • With a perpetual version installed, it remains possible to open .pub files and save them as PDF on the computer in 2027 and later, even though it is no longer supported.
    1. Accessing Publisher files after October 2026
    • For Microsoft 365 subscribers:
      • After October 2026, Publisher cannot be used to open or edit .pub files.
      • Existing .pub files will not open in Publisher for Microsoft 365.
      • It is recommended to convert important Publisher files to another format (PDF for viewing, or PDF→Word for editing) before October 1, 2026.
    • For perpetual versions:
      • Files can still be opened and edited in Publisher after support ends, as long as the perpetual app remains installed and functional.
    1. How to prepare files before retirement

    For a small number of files (manual method):

    1. Open the .pub file in Publisher.
    2. Select File > Save As.
    3. Choose a location.
    4. Select PDF as the file type and select Save.

    For many files (automated method):

    • Use the PowerShell script described above to bulk export .pub files to PDF.
    • If future editing is needed, open the resulting PDFs in Word:
      1. Open Word.
      2. Select File > Open and choose the PDF.
      3. Select OK when prompted; Word converts the PDF into an editable document (layout may change, especially with many graphics).
    1. How to talk to someone about these questions

    The documentation referenced here is the official guidance on Publisher retirement and bulk conversion. For direct, person-to-person help (phone, chat, or support case), use standard Microsoft Support channels for Microsoft 365/Office, where support agents can:

    • Confirm whether the current installation is a Microsoft 365 subscription or a perpetual version.
    • Help with running or adapting the bulk conversion script.
    • Help plan how to preserve and migrate existing Publisher content before October 2026.

    References:

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

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.