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Microsoft Publisher Alternatives: What Happens to PUB Files in 2026?
Question details
Users need to understand the implications of Microsoft Publisher's upcoming retirement, how to manage their existing .pub files, and what viable alternatives exist for future publishing tasks.
- Product
- Microsoft Publisher
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Planning for the deprecation of Microsoft Publisher and preserving existing publication files.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported or installable via Microsoft 365 after October 2026, requiring users to migrate their .pub files to other formats like PDF or Word for continued access.
Before October 2026, take an inventory of all your active .pub files to determine which publications require strict layout preservation and which ones you will need to continue editing in different software.
Export Publisher Documents to PDF for Preservation
The most reliable way to preserve the exact layout of your newsletters and magazines is to save them as PDF files while you still have access to Publisher.
Microsoft recommends converting your files to PDF if your primary goal is viewing and preserving the original design. This ensures that typography, image placement, and complex elements remain completely intact without requiring Publisher in the future.
Launch Microsoft Publisher and open the .pub file you wish to preserve.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the application window, then select 'Export' from the left-hand menu.
Click on 'Create PDF/XPS Document', choose your desired file destination, and click 'Publish' to save the fixed-layout file.
Convert Publisher Content to Microsoft Word
If you need to continue editing the text and basic layout of your files after Publisher retires, converting them to Word documents is Microsoft's recommended workaround.
Migrate to Third-Party Publishing Applications
For highly complex designs that standard word processors cannot handle, migrating to a dedicated desktop publishing alternative is necessary.
Edit Your Converted Publisher Files with WPS Office
Since Microsoft recommends converting your Publisher files to PDF or Word, WPS Office is the perfect free, lightweight alternative to seamlessly edit those converted .docx and .pdf files with high compatibility and a familiar user interface.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Choose your tool: Open WPS Office and select 'PDF Edit' or 'Docs' depending on whether you exported your Publisher file as a PDF or Word document.
- 3. Open the converted file: Drag and drop your converted .docx or .pdf file directly into the WPS workspace.
- 4. Edit the document: Use the intuitive editing tools to easily modify text, images, and layout elements to maintain your publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is Microsoft Publisher being retired?
Microsoft Publisher is scheduled to be officially retired in October 2026. After this date, it will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions, meaning you will not be able to install or download it.
Will my perpetual version of Publisher stop working after October 2026?
If you have a perpetual license (such as Publisher 2019 or 2021), the software will continue to run on your computer locally. However, it will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support, and connected features may become unavailable.
Can I open .pub files without having Microsoft Publisher installed?
Yes, some third-party design applications can open .pub files directly. Alternatively, if you do not have compatible software, you will need to ask the file's creator to export it as a PDF, which can be viewed and edited in standard PDF software.
Does converting Publisher files to Word retain the original layout?
Not always. While text and basic images will transfer, complex newsletter or magazine layouts will often shift during the conversion to Word because Word handles text wrapping and page elements differently than Publisher.
