What am I supposed to do with the thousands of Publisher files that I use all the time?

Question

What am I supposed to do with the thousands of Publisher files that I use all the time?

nalani stewart 35

Please do not do away with Publisher. And if you must, please allow us to access, use and change our existing files. I have thousands of files and I have to be able to access old files on a regular basis. You have no idea what a nightmare you are causing me. Word cannot do even a small portion of what I do. And even if Designer could do all that I need, the conversion of all those files will take more time than I will ever have.

If you must do this you need to make a conversion program..

I cannot begin to tell you how disappointed I am with Microsoft for this action.

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Margaret Williams 20 Reputation points

2025-12-16T23:45:22.24+00:00

I too am sick about this devastating decision to discontinue MicroSoft Publisher; I have used this program since its creation and have loved it. I have thousands of documents, published histories, maps, etc --too many to "convert" as is suggested. My maps are very detailed and are "active" documents, needing updates monthly! Making a PDF of all my documents, as the MS company suggests as a solutions is ridiculous and impossible! I need live access to so many of my documents that a PDF in out of the question. Please reconsider your decision!!

3 answers

Margaret Williams 20 Reputation points

2025-12-16T23:45:22.24+00:00

I too am sick about this devastating decision to discontinue MicroSoft Publisher; I have used this program since its creation and have loved it. I have thousands of documents, published histories, maps, etc --too many to "convert" as is suggested. My maps are very detailed and are "active" documents, needing updates monthly! Making a PDF of all my documents, as the MS company suggests as a solutions is ridiculous and impossible! I need live access to so many of my documents that a PDF in out of the question. Please reconsider your decision!!

Answer 1

WordWizzard 1,220

If you have the desktop version of Publisher, it won't go away. You can continue to use it. But you just won't get any more updates after its service life ends.

Andrés Lobpreis 0 Reputation points

2025-12-30T17:21:30.28+00:00

I wouldn't be so sure.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026-ee6302a2-4bc7-4841-babf-8e9be3acbfd7:

"Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher."
WordWizzard 1,220 Reputation points

2025-12-31T02:44:04.1333333+00:00

I wouldn't be so sure.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026-ee6302a2-4bc7-4841-babf-8e9be3acbfd7:

"Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher."

I should have been more clearer... If you have a non-365 desktop version of Publisher that has a perpetual license (e.g., Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021), it won't be deleted from you system. You can continue to use it. It just won't get any more updates. If you have the 365 version of Publisher, then you'll will no longer be able to open or edit the Publisher files after support ends.

You can supposedly import and edit your Publisher files for free using Affinity Publisher, if you first convert them to PDF. See https://www.affinity.studio/

You may get better results, however, if you convert the Publisher files directly to Affinity using https://markzware.com/markzportal/converting-microsoft-publisher-to-affinity-publisher/
Arderne Gillies 0 Reputation points

2026-01-08T17:05:43.85+00:00

Dear Microsoft - please confirm whether this is true.
JEANNE BRIDGES 5 Reputation points

2026-04-08T17:48:27.9066667+00:00

I have been buying 365 from Microsoft annually for several years. Will that continue. Also, as the others have said, I don't think I could have had my art career without Publisher! It is a wonderful and very functional program.
WordWizzard 1,220 Reputation points

2026-04-09T20:20:11.37+00:00

I have been buying 365 from Microsoft annually for several years. Will that continue. Also, as the others have said, I don't think I could have had my art career without Publisher! It is a wonderful and very functional program.

If you been buying 365 annually, then you have a "subscription" license, not a perpetual license. So, when Microsoft retires Publisher in Oct 2026, you will no longer have access to Publisher. You will need to use another app such as LibreOffice Draw (which can import Publisher files directly), https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/draw/

or Affinity Layout:
https://www.affinity.studio/page-layout-software

But, as I mentioned earlier, you need to first covert your Publisher file to PDF before Affinity can open and edit it.
https://www.affinity.studio/help/get-started-import-pdf/

Both of these apps install on your desktop, and are free (open source). You also have the option to purchase Office 2021 that has Publisher. It's sold as a perpetual license. But is is not cheap.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/office-professional-2021/cfq7ttc0hhj9/0003?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

However, I don't believe you can install it and Office 365 on the same computer. You may need to install Office 2021 on a different computer.

Answer 2

Peter Cole 70

Yes, I too have thousands of Publisher files and feel totally betrayed by Microsoft. I’m trying to find some way to move my Publisher files anywhere that isn’t connected to Microsoft. I’ve been faithful to the company since the beginning but don’t feel that it is rewarding my commitment at all.

Stefan Blom 351.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-05T17:45:35.2666667+00:00

@Peter Cole

You can use Office Professional 2021, which includes Publisher, even after October 2026. If you purchase it privately, be very careful so that you get a valid product.

Alternatives include switching to Affinity. See the Answer from WordWizzard and the Comments below it.

You can post feedback for Microsoft in the portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/ . Note that decision makers do read the feedback forum, but they do not follow the Q&A forums.

Answer 3

Ginger Collins 5

I, too, am facing a devastating impact to my workday without Publisher. I have waited until today to confront this issue because I was so very angry and I didn't want to behave in such a way as to appear unprofessional. Am I still angry? Yes. But I am angry within control.

I have a question for Microsoft. My question is presented here as it relates to the purchase of any product for sale. When a person makes a purchase of an item for sale, a person like me buys with this contract in mind: I pay money; I take a product into my possession. When and if I ever decide to no longer have or use or enjoy said item, that is MY decision. I thought I bought a product from Microsoft. I thought I paid for the software platform Publisher. I thought it was MY choice to vacate its use. Why does Microsoft get to tell me, a purchasing client, that I can no longer use a product they sold to me, to others, to, perhaps, millions?

I am, perhaps, not as devastated as some in this comment platform, but I do have 1,693 Publisher files that I rely upon DAILY! Having to convert them all to pdf and develop an expertise with another software product without skipping a beat because my income depends upon it is a challenge that I am loathe to face. Do I use Word? Yes. Is it a comparable replacement for my daily use of Publisher? I believe not for the very reason that I USE PUBLISHER instead of Word for so many of my documents, for crying up a creek!

Badly done, Microsoft, very badly done.

What's the explanation here? The almighty dollar? You're not making enough money worldwide with the corporation's myriad products, so you cut the lifeline of millions and renege on your sales contract? I would like to know what your defense is for your action, Microsoft, for I believe I deserve an explanation beyond "...Publisher has reached its end of life." Ginger Collins

J.R. and JEANNE BRIDGES 0 Reputation points

2026-09-05T15:08:53.17+00:00

Is there any group planning to sue to change MS decision? Class Action??? I have used publisher since I bought my first PC, almost 40 years ago. It is better than anything out there and is not replaceable. Whoever the geniuses are who made this decision should have mental evaluations - not control a company.
J.R. and JEANNE BRIDGES 0 Reputation points

2026-09-05T15:10:46.0866667+00:00

Please tell me, what different software can handle Publisher files effectively.
Stefan Blom 351.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-05T17:49:44.7333333+00:00

@Ginger Collins

Microsoft representatives do not read the Q&A forums. You can post feedback in the portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/ .

That said, I believe you have to prepare for losing Publisher. The discontinuation was announced over two years ago and the decision appears to be final.

You can use older perpetual licenses of Publisher if you can find a valid license. Be careful as there are many scammers out there selling fake product keys.

Or you can get some third-party alternative. See WordWizzard's Answer and the Comments below it for some suggestions.

Good luck.
Stefan Blom 351.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-05T17:53:39.1466667+00:00

Please tell me, what different software can handle Publisher files effectively.

@J.R. and JEANNE BRIDGES

I believe that LibreOffice (the open source office suite) can open Publisher files. I don't know how good the compatibility is, though.

An alternative would be converting the Publisher files to PDFs and then to use other software, such as Affinity by Canva, which has a good reputation. See also WordWizzard's Answer and the Comments below his Answer.

Please note that this thread was started in December 2025. It will be closed.