File Format & Compatibility

How to Preserve and Open Microsoft Publisher Files After End of Support

Aamir Naveed Akram Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need reliable methods to access, view, and edit Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files after the software reaches its scheduled end of life in October 2026.

How to Preserve Access to Microsoft Publisher Files After End of Support

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Preparing for the discontinuation of Microsoft Publisher and safeguarding thousands of existing publication files for future use.
Observed behavior: Without intervention, users will lose the ability to open or edit their large archives of proprietary .pub files once Microsoft 365 ends support for the application.

Before you start

Before testing alternative software or converting formats, create a complete backup of all your original Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files to a secure external drive or cloud storage.

Solution 1Recommended

Export Publisher Documents to PDF for Future Access

The most reliable way to preserve the layout, fonts, and formatting of your Microsoft Publisher files is to export them to PDF while you still have access to the software.

PDFs lock in your designs, ensuring they look exactly as intended on any device without requiring Publisher to be installed. Once exported, you can use dedicated PDF editors to make minor text and image adjustments in the future.

Open the Publication

Launch Microsoft Publisher and open your existing .pub file.

Navigate to the Export Menu

Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and then select 'Export' from the left-hand menu.

Create the PDF

Click on 'Create PDF/XPS Document', and then click the 'Create PDF/XPS' button.

Publish and Save

Choose a secure backup location on your drive, ensure the 'Save as type' is set to PDF, and click 'Publish'.

Export Publisher Documents to PDF for Future Access

Batch Conversion Tool Tip: If you have thousands of files, consider looking into macro scripts or specialized third-party batch conversion tools that can automate the process of exporting multiple Publisher files to PDF at once.

Solution 2

Open and Edit .pub Files Using LibreOffice Draw

If you need to edit the original .pub files after Publisher is discontinued, LibreOffice Draw offers built-in support for importing them.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Exported Publisher Files and Replace MS Office with WPS Office

With Microsoft Publisher retiring, it is an excellent time to explore lightweight, cost-effective alternatives. By exporting your Publisher files to PDF, you can seamlessly view, annotate, and edit them using the powerful PDF tools in WPS Office, alongside its highly compatible Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alternatives.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and complete the quick installation.
2. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office, click 'Open', and select the PDF file you exported from Microsoft Publisher.
3. Edit the Document: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab in the WPS PDF tool to directly modify text, adjust images, or add new elements to your publication.

Advanced PDF editor to modify text and images in your exported Publisher filesHighly compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTXFree, lightweight, and fast-loading on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobileFamiliar user interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve transition

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly will Microsoft Publisher be discontinued?

Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Publisher will reach its end of life in October 2026. After this date, it will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and existing perpetual licenses will stop receiving security and feature updates.

Can WPS Office directly open Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files?

WPS Office does not natively support the proprietary .pub file format. However, you can export your Publisher files to PDF and easily use the WPS PDF editor to view, annotate, and make text or image modifications.

Will I lose my Publisher files if I don't convert them by 2026?

Your local .pub files will remain on your hard drive, but you will not be able to open or edit them easily without Microsoft Publisher installed. Converting them to PDF or transitioning to compatible third-party software ensures you retain permanent access to your content.

Document & File Issues