Microsoft has big plans for the future, and unfortunately, Publisher isn't part of them. By October 2026, Microsoft will no longer support Publisher, which means users will be locked out of their . pub files. To avoid losing access to your files, Microsoft suggests converting them to a more accessible format, like . pdf or . docx.

The tech giant has provided some guidance on how to handle this transition. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you'll need to convert your existing Publisher files to a format that can be opened and edited elsewhere. This can be done directly within Publisher or by using a third-party conversion tool. For those with many files, Microsoft recommends using a macro to automate the process.

The conversion process isn't perfect. You might notice some layout shifts, especially if your documents are graphic-heavy. But it's a small price to pay for keeping your files accessible. Users with the Perpetual version of Publisher can breathe a sigh of relief. They can still install and use it after October 2026, and won't need to convert their files.

Microsoft plans to integrate Publisher's features into more widely used Office apps like Word and PowerPoint. However, this won't help with your existing . pub files. If you haven't already, now is the time to start converting your files. Don't wait until the last minute to ensure you don't lose access to your important documents.

Microsoft Publisher: Time to Move Your Files!

Actions