Deeply disappointed

Chris Dempsey 0 Reputation points
2026-10-02T17:58:50.91+00:00

As a loyal Microsoft user I am extremely annoyed by your decision to withdraw Publisher. It takes no account of the needs of your customers as it is not suitably replaced by Word or Power Point. I use 365 for Publisher specifically and am deeply disappointed by your abandonment of myself and I am sure amny more of your customers. Shame on you.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | Other
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  1. Emma1-N 13,320 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-03T03:08:35.6266667+00:00

    Hello Chris Dempsey,

    Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I completely understand why you're disappointed. For many users, Publisher has been a unique and valuable tool for creating newsletters, brochures, flyers, and other publications, and it's understandable to feel frustrated when a product you've relied on for years is being retired.

    If you have not already done so, I encourage you to submit your comments through the Microsoft Feedback Portal or Feedback Hub so that your concerns can be reviewed by the right teams.

    • Feedback Hub (Windows): Open the "Feedback Hub" app and submit your suggestion under Microsoft 365 / Office.
    • Microsoft Feedback Portal: Microsoft Feedback Portal

    Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Constructive feedback from long-term customers helps Microsoft better understand how products are being used and where future improvements may be needed.

    Thank you for your understanding.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-02T17:59:05.8733333+00:00

    Microsoft has announced that Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. Until October 1, 2026, Publisher continues to work with its current functionality. After that, it will no longer be included in Microsoft 365, and Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher files in Publisher.

    Microsoft’s stated direction is that many common Publisher tasks are available in other Microsoft 365 apps such as Word and PowerPoint, and it recommends preparing before October 2026 by converting existing .pub files to another format.

    Supported preparation options are:

    1. Convert Publisher files to PDF:
      • Open the Publisher file.
      • Go to File > Save as.
      • Choose a location.
      • Select PDF as the file type and save.
    2. If editing is still needed after conversion:
      • Open Word.
      • Go to File > Open.
      • Open the PDF.
      • Select OK.
      • The file opens as a Word document.
    3. For many files, bulk conversion can be automated with a PowerShell script.
    4. A file search for .Pub on a PC, OneDrive, or SharePoint can help locate existing Publisher files.

    Important limitation: converted Word files are optimized for text editing, so layout can vary from the original, especially for documents with many graphics.

    If preserving long-term access to existing .pub files is the priority, the FAQ states that perpetual versions of Publisher can still be installed and used beyond October 2026, although support ends on October 13, 2026.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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