MSPublisher

If Publisher still opens on your PC, preserve the .pub originals and immediately export them in bulk to PDF; if Publisher has already been removed, conversion requires a working perpetual Publisher installation or a third-party conversion tool.

Publisher reached end of life in October 2026. Microsoft 365 removal occurs through an update rollout, so Publisher may still open on some computers temporarily, while others may already have lost access. Microsoft has not provided a replacement that preserves Publisher’s complete editable layout model. ^1^

If Publisher still opens

1. Back up all .pub files first. Search your PC, OneDrive, and SharePoint for *.pub, then copy the originals to a protected archive.
2. Test representative files containing columns, linked text boxes, custom fonts, tables, and graphics.
3. For one file, open it in Publisher and select:
   • Newer versions: File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document > Create PDF/XPS
   • Publisher 2010: File > Save & Send > Create PDF/XPS Document
   • Alternatively: File > Save As > PDF
4. Choose Standard, High Quality Printing, or Commercial Press, as appropriate, and publish the PDF. ^2^

PDF is the preservation format: it retains the visual and printable result, but it does not preserve the publication as an editable Publisher document.

Bulk-export an archive

Microsoft provides a sample PowerShell script:

Download Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1

The script does not convert files independently. It requires a working, licensed installation of Publisher on the same computer. On a managed work computer, the IT administrator may need to permit script execution; use only an organization-approved PowerShell execution policy rather than permanently enabling unrestricted execution. ^1^

From PowerShell, change to the folder containing the downloaded script and run, for example:

# Convert one publication
.\Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 -Filter "C:\PublisherArchive\Brochure.pub"

# Convert every .pub file under a folder
.\Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 `
    -Filter "C:\PublisherArchive\*.pub" `
    -Recurse

The script continues after conversion errors and reports successful and failed files. Existing output filenames cause an error rather than being overwritten. Review that report and visually inspect several generated PDFs—including complex documents—before treating the migration as complete.

When future editing is required

Microsoft’s supported route is:

1. Export the Publisher file to PDF.
2. Open desktop Word.
3. Select File > Open and choose the PDF.
4. Accept the conversion prompt.
5. Save the result as .docx.

This creates a Word document optimized primarily for text editing. It is not editing the PDF itself, and graphics-heavy or precisely positioned publications can change layout substantially. Keep the original .pub file and PDF alongside the Word version. ^1^

For new documents, Microsoft recommends Word or PowerPoint depending on the publication type—for example, Word for labels, newsletters, envelopes, and letterhead, and Word or PowerPoint for flyers, brochures, cards, and business cards.

If Publisher no longer opens

The Microsoft script cannot help without Publisher. The documented alternatives are:

• Perpetual Publisher: If you already have a perpetual version, it can continue to be installed and used, although it is unsupported after retirement. Use it to export the archive rather than as a long-term production platform.
• Third-party conversion: A converter may provide direct conversion to another format, but quality and editability vary, and Microsoft does not support these tools. Test copies of complex publications and review the vendor’s privacy terms before uploading sensitive files. ^1^
• Microsoft Support: Contact support for current licensing or installation options applicable to your account; there is no documented Microsoft cloud service that directly opens and converts .pub archives.

Community responders cannot create a new Microsoft conversion feature. Submit the request through the Microsoft Feedback Portal or Microsoft 365’s Help > Feedback option. Include the number of files, typical document complexity, required layout fidelity, and need for batch conversion to an editable format. Search for an existing Publisher-retirement request first and vote for it if one matches. ^3^

References

1. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 | Microsoft Support
2. Save As or convert a publication to .pdf or .xps using Publisher | Microsoft Support
3. I received a notification pop up today about Publisher no longer being supported from October 2026 - Microsoft Q&A