What replaces Publisher?

Question

What replaces Publisher?

Elizabeth Benn 110

What am I supposed to use when Publisher is discontinued? I have hundreds of files in Published and the only help I can find is to convert them all to .pdf format. Then what?

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Answer accepted by question author

ROBERT LOWE SR 90

I have used Publisher for over 30 years and have initiated use of this application in my various companies. Because Microsoft has decided to "retire" Publisher without providing a valid and useful replacement, I am searching for a replacement for Office and I am recommending that my company switch to a new application package as soon as possible.

Elizabeth Benn 110 Reputation points

2025-11-04T22:01:34.9333333+00:00

I'm in the same position. If you find a good replacement for Publisher and Office, please let me know. Thanks!
Rory Evgen 25 Reputation points

2025-12-07T00:59:48.18+00:00

whoever decided to do this owes my wife like 50K in damages. you have no idea what this does to her work over the past ten plus years. none of your lame solutions even comes close to fixing it
Rory Evgen 25 Reputation points

2025-12-07T01:01:20.0566667+00:00

show me how to take a publisher document that has 12 images that are formatted and able to be edited into any software retaining those properties.

Answer accepted by question author

Thomas4-N 22,380 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hello Elizabeth Benn, welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Microsoft has announced that Publisher will be retired after October 2026. There isn’t a direct replacement from Microsoft, but they recommend using Word, PowerPoint, or Microsoft Designer for most layout and design tasks going forward. These tools cover common scenarios like brochures, flyers, and simple marketing materials.

Publisher will remain available in Office 2021 and older perpetual-license versions even after October 2026, but these versions will not receive updates or new features.

Some users in the community have mentioned Affinity by Canva as an option for those who need advanced publishing features beyond what Word or PowerPoint provide. This is not a Microsoft product, and it sits outside the Microsoft ecosystem, so whether to explore it depends on your specific requirements.

See: https://windowsforum.com/threads/microsoft-publisher-deprecation-top-alternatives-for-desktop-publishing-in-2025.372469/

Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

If you have existing .pub files, it’s a good idea to convert them before support ends.

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Elizabeth Benn 110 Reputation points

2025-11-04T22:04:53.4466667+00:00

Thanks,
James Burr 10 Reputation points

2026-03-16T03:18:44.02+00:00

It seems that the logical solution would be for Microsoft to keep Publisher alive in Office365, with no updates.

3 additional answers

Elizabeth Benn 110 Reputation points

2025-11-04T22:01:34.9333333+00:00

I'm in the same position. If you find a good replacement for Publisher and Office, please let me know. Thanks!
Rory Evgen 25 Reputation points

2025-12-07T00:59:48.18+00:00

whoever decided to do this owes my wife like 50K in damages. you have no idea what this does to her work over the past ten plus years. none of your lame solutions even comes close to fixing it
Rory Evgen 25 Reputation points

2025-12-07T01:01:20.0566667+00:00

show me how to take a publisher document that has 12 images that are formatted and able to be edited into any software retaining those properties.
Elizabeth Benn 110 Reputation points

2025-11-04T22:04:53.4466667+00:00

Thanks,
James Burr 10 Reputation points

2026-03-16T03:18:44.02+00:00

It seems that the logical solution would be for Microsoft to keep Publisher alive in Office365, with no updates.

Answer 1

Nan Nawrocki 0

Among other things I use Publisher to create multi page programs for theater events. Consistency of appearance is one of the reason I use Publisher. We also have many sponsors, each with their own artwork to include in the publication.

I can’t see how a pdf will handle all this. I am very unhappy with Microsoft.

Stefan Blom 353.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-04-29T14:13:53.9133333+00:00

Nan Nawrocki, one thing you can do is purchase an older perpetual license which includes Publisher. Office Professional 2021 is one option (it is rather expensive, though): https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/office-professional-2021/cfq7ttc0hhj9/0003?activetab=pivot:overviewtab .

Answer 2

Gina Lyell 10

This is also very devasting to my business. I literally have thousands of Publisher templates! The other microsoft apps that have been suggested simply don't cut it - I tried before I selected publisher to use in my business over 6 years ago.

Stefan Blom 353.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-01-07T11:26:24.83+00:00

If you have a perpetual license which includes Publisher, such as Office Professional 2021, you can continue using it after October 2026. Long term, you'll probably need to get other page layout software, though.

Answer 3

Jan Ruth 0

Is there an easy way to convert my stored Publisher documents to, say, PDF? And, is this a viable way to save my Publisher files?

Stefan Blom 353.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-14T19:38:27.86+00:00

@Jan Ruth,

As far as I know, the only way to convert Publisher file is resaving them one by one. If you have many Publisher files, that will be a time-consuming method, of course.