Publisher stopped ALL functionality

Question

With Publisher ending, I expected to at least be able to copy my content into Word, but I can't even copy/paste content and I can't 'save as'. HELP! My project was far along and can't be accessed now.

Answer 1

Refer to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5992704/serious-negative-impact-of-discontinuing-microsoft

Here are some options:

• Purchase Microsoft Office Professional (Pro) 2021 which has Publisher with a perpetual license. Microsoft stopped selling 2021 a few months ago, so you will have look for a retailer. However be aware you typically cannot have both Office 365 and Office 2021 installed on the same computer. You'll have to choose which one to use, or install them on separate computers. Microsoft Office Professional (Pro) is a perpetual license for individuals and you are given a product key. Once installed, the product is in your Microsoft account, and you can download and reinstall it again at a later time, if you need to. Avoid Office Professional Plus and Office LTSC Professional Plus. They are for organizations that use volume licensing. Some are illegal copies, do not come with product keys, and will not appear in your Microsoft account.
• Download and install LibreOffice. See https://www.libreoffice.org/. LibreOffice installs on your computer, and it is a free complete office suite of applications (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math). Draw will open Publisher files and allow you to edit them.
• Download and install Affinity Page Layout. See https://www.affinity.studio/page-layout-software. Affinity Page Layout is also free (without AI) and installs on your computer. But it currently does not open Publisher files directly. You first need to convert the Publisher file to PDF. (There are several online file converters that will do the conversion for you for free.) Then use Affinity Page Layout to open the PDF as described here: https://www.affinity.studio/help/get-started-import-pdf/.

Which of these three options to use depends on your needs. If you want to continue using Publisher, then Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is your best choice. You avoid a learning curve, but you may need a 2nd computer.

If you are looking for a free option, and only create simple, single-page items (flyers, signs, basic forms), or have a massive archive of old Publisher files that all need to be frequently opened/edited, then choose LibreOffice Draw. However, it lacks precision alignment and advanced commercial print controls like bleed setup and robust CMYK color profiles required by professional printing presses.

On the other hand, if you routinely design complex, multi-page layouts (newsletters, booklets, catalogs) and need a highly professional tool that functions similarly to Adobe InDesign, then choose Affinity Page Layout.

There are a number of YouTube videos that describe the features and how to use LibreOffice Draw and Affinity Page Layout. Many features work very similar to Publisher.

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hth

Marcin

Answer 2

Microsoft 365 Publisher has passed its October 1, 2026 retirement date, so recover the project by opening a copy of the .pub file in a working perpetual-license edition of Publisher and exporting it to PDF before moving it into Word.

Microsoft 365 subscribers can no longer open or edit Publisher files as the removal update rolls out; disabled Save As, copy, and paste functions are therefore consistent with retirement rather than loss of the project’s underlying file. Perpetual editions can still be installed and used, although support has ended or is ending. ^1^

Recover the project

1. Protect the original first
   • Close Publisher.
   • Find the project’s .pub file in File Explorer, OneDrive, or SharePoint.
   • Make at least one copy and perform all recovery work on that copy.
   • Do not rename the extension; renaming .pub does not convert the file.
2. Use a perpetual edition of Publisher
   • If you own a standalone/perpetual Publisher license, install and activate it, then open the copied .pub file.
   • This can be your existing perpetual installation or another computer where that licensed edition still works.
   • A Microsoft 365 subscription version is not sufficient after retirement. Microsoft states that perpetual Publisher can still be installed and used beyond the cutoff, although it is unsupported. ^1^
3. Export from the working copy
   • In Publisher, select File > Save As.
   • Choose a destination folder.
   • Select PDF as the file type and save it.
   • Retain both the original .pub and exported PDF.
4. Move editable content into Word
   • Open Word.
   • Select File > Open and open the PDF.
   • Select OK when Word offers to convert it.
   • Save the result as a Word document.
   Word optimizes the conversion for text editing, so complex page layouts and graphics can move. For layout-heavy publications such as brochures or posters, PowerPoint may be easier for rebuilding the design. ^1^

If no perpetual Publisher license is available

The remaining documented option is a third-party .pub conversion service or application. Microsoft does not support these tools, and quality varies. Use only a copy of the project and avoid uploading confidential or personal content. ^1^

An Office repair is unlikely to restore editing if this is the retired Microsoft 365 edition. Repair is relevant only if File > Account shows an activated perpetual edition and Publisher is malfunctioning independently of retirement. In that case:

1. Open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
2. Select the perpetual Office/Publisher installation and choose Change.
3. Run Quick Repair first, followed by Online Repair if necessary. ^2^

If the file was protected by an organization rather than merely made read-only by retirement, copy, modification, printing, and saving can also be disabled by Information Rights Management. Only the file owner or organization can grant less restrictive permissions. ^3^

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References

1. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026
2. Microsoft Publisher shuts down and says there us an issue that needs to be fixed. - Microsoft Q&A
3. Commands on the Ribbon are disabled because you don't have permission to the file | Microsoft Support