Why? Why did Microsoft find the need to discontinue the best platform that they had?

Janie L 0 Reputation points
2026-10-20T18:11:01.1266667+00:00

I have been a user of Microsoft products dating all the way back to Microsoft Works. I embraced Publisher from the moment it hit the market. There is not another product out there that can do the same thing that Publisher does whe doing anything that needs a mail merge. I hate using word for mail merge or doing labels. Word is a word processor. PERIOD. PLEASE GIVE US OUR PROGRAM BACK OR AT LEAST SELL IT TO ANOTHER COMPANY TO PUBLISH.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | For business
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  1. Jack-Bu 7,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-10-20T18:37:57.2666667+00:00

    Hello Janie,

    I understand your frustration, especially when a platform you found useful has been discontinued.

    Microsoft Q&A is primarily a technical support community, so community contributors do not have insight into the internal business decisions behind product retirements or discontinuations.

    If you would like Microsoft to hear your feedback regarding this decision, I encourage you to share your comments and suggestions through the Microsoft Feedback Portal:

    https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/a532ee8d-f41b-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472

    Feedback submitted there can help Microsoft understand customers’ experiences and expectations regarding its products and services.

    Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

    Note: Please follow the steps in [our documentation] to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-10-20T18:11:37.66+00:00

    Microsoft has retired Publisher, and the only public rationale given is that Microsoft periodically removes products to “focus on new benefits”; Microsoft has not announced a sale of Publisher, a direct replacement, or a plan to restore it.

    Publisher for Microsoft 365 was removed beginning October 1, 2026, while support for perpetual Publisher and Office 2021 ended October 13, 2026. Microsoft 365 subscribers can no longer install Publisher or use it to open and edit .pub files. A previously licensed perpetual version can still be installed and used, but it receives no security updates, fixes, or support.^1^

    Publisher mail merge has no announced equivalent replacement

    Microsoft recommends:

    • Word for labels, envelopes, newsletters, letterhead, and forms.
    • Word or PowerPoint for brochures, business cards, calendars, cards, and similar layouts.

    Those recommendations do not mean that Word or PowerPoint reproduce Publisher’s complete desktop-publishing and mail-merge workflow. Microsoft has not announced another standalone desktop-publishing application that replaces Publisher feature for feature.^1^

    Protect existing Publisher work

    If a licensed perpetual copy of Publisher is available:

    1. Keep the installer, product-key or licensing records, and a compatible computer or recoverable system image.
    2. Back up all .pub source files.
    3. Export finished publications through File > Save As > PDF.
    4. Retain the .pub originals because PDF preserves appearance but not Publisher editing or mail-merge functionality.
    5. For large collections, use Microsoft’s sample Convert-PubFileToPDF.ps1 script as a starting point for bulk export. Test it on copies first; conversion does not create an equivalent editable replacement.
    6. For documents that must remain editable, Microsoft suggests opening the exported PDF in Word, but warns that complex graphics and layouts can change.^1^

    Send the request to the product team

    Microsoft Q&A cannot reverse a product retirement or arrange its sale. Submit the proposal through:

    • Help > Feedback in a Microsoft 365 application, or
    • the Microsoft Feedback portal, where users can submit a public request, upvote an existing one, and track official responses.^2^

    Make the request specific: ask Microsoft to preserve or license Publisher, provide a supported .pub reader/editor, and deliver a replacement for Publisher’s label and mail-merge workflow. Include the number of files and recurring workflows affected; Microsoft advises submitting one focused, descriptive request at a time.^2^

    References

    1. Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026 | Microsoft Support
    2. Learn about Microsoft feedback for your organization
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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