can I migrate my publisher files & what replaces it?

Question

Our museum has used Publisher for most print communications, flyers and program notes. How will we be able to access and use them with the company dropping this valued software?

Is there a workable option to migrate them?

Answer 1

Hi @Deborah Silverfine 

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to sharing your situation, and I completely understand why the retirement of Microsoft Publisher raises concerns for your museum. When you’ve relied on a tool for so many years, especially for materials as meaningful as your program notes, flyers, and print communications, it’s natural to wonder what comes next and how to ensure nothing gets lost in the transition. 

Microsoft has announced that Publisher will reach end‑of‑life in October 2026, which means that after this date, Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit .pub files. If you're using the Microsoft 365 version, Publisher will be fully removed from the suite at that time.  

Here are some helpful steps you can take to prepare for the transition: 

1/ Convert your existing Publisher files before the 2026 deadline 
Microsoft recommends converting your .pub files to PDF so you can continue accessing and printing them in the future. This can be done directly inside Publisher using Save As > Select PDF.   

If you have a large library of .pub files, Microsoft also provides an official PowerShell script that can batch‑convert them to PDF automatically, saving you from opening files one by one.  

You may find further guidance here: Microsoft Publisher: You won't be able to access Publisher or open files (.pub) in October 2026 

Please note that this information is being provided by the moderator solely for your convenience. The referenced sites are not managed or overseen by the moderator, and therefore we cannot guarantee the accuracy, security, or suitability of any software or content available there. We recommend reviewing all information carefully and ensuring you understand any associated risks before following suggestions from the provided link. 

2/ Choose how you'd like to edit your materials going forward 
Depending on how your museum works, here are a few good alternatives: 

• Microsoft Word: great for templates, text‑heavy program notes, envelopes, and letterheads. Word now includes many layout features traditionally used in Publisher. 
• Microsoft PowerPoint: surprisingly flexible for posters, flyers, and visual layouts; many organizations use it as an easy transition from Publisher.  
• Microsoft Designer: a modern, AI‑assisted design tool ideal for refreshed print and digital materials.  
  

You can find more detail at: Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 

Every museum has unique communication needs, here are a few options I think will work well for your museum: 

1. Export all .pub files to PDF for safe archiving 
2. Identify which documents need to remain editable, such as recurring program notes or seasonal flyers 
3. Rebuild your key templates in either PowerPoint or Designer for easy future updates 
4. For multi‑page or more formal publications, consider using Word or a professional DTP tool (Desktop Publishing tool) 

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Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

I look forward to your thoughts on this. 

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Answer 2

You can continue using Microsoft Publisher with full functionality until October 2026. After that date, support for the perpetual version of Publisher will end, and Microsoft 365 users will no longer have access to the Publisher application. To migrate your Publisher files, you can convert them to PDF format in bulk using a PowerShell script. This allows you to preserve your files in a widely accessible format without having to open each file individually.

For replacing Publisher, Microsoft recommends using other applications within the Microsoft 365 suite depending on your needs:

• 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, and Forms: Word
• Calendars: Word or PowerPoint
• Envelopes: Word
• Labels: Word
• Letterhead: Word
• Newsletter: Word
• Programs, Folded Paper Projects: Word
• Cards (Greeting, Compliment, etc.): Word, PowerPoint, or Designer

You can find detailed instructions for bulk converting Publisher files to PDF in the provided resources.