Microsoft Publisher is being discontinued
Your .pub files stay on your machine — they won't disappear. If you access Publisher through Microsoft 365, plan to migrate your files before October 2026. Full EOL details →
Publisher use cases — what to use instead
Publisher task
Church & school bulletins
Use instead
PublishMedia — dedicated bulletin maker with templates
Publisher users built most bulletins in the same repeating format. The bulletin maker uses that same template-driven approach.
Publisher task
Newsletters
Use instead
PublishMedia — newsletter templates
Multi-column newsletter layouts that translate directly from Publisher's column grid. Edit in browser, export PDF.
Publisher task
Event flyers
Use instead
PublishMedia — flyer templates + raffle ticket maker
Single-page flyers are the easiest Publisher documents to replace. The maker has presets for the most common sizes.
Publisher task
Restaurant menus
Use instead
PublishMedia — restaurant menu templates
Two-column and trifold menu layouts that match typical Publisher menu formats.
Publisher task
Funeral programs
Use instead
PublishMedia — dedicated funeral program maker
Sensitive layouts with photo zones, order of service, and obituary text. Publisher was the standard tool for these — PublishMedia is built as a direct replacement.
Publisher task
Certificates & awards
Use instead
PublishMedia — certificate templates
Formal certificate layouts with bordered frames, seal areas, and signature lines — matching the Publisher certificate aesthetic.
Publisher task
Raffle tickets
Use instead
PublishMedia — free numbered raffle ticket maker
Auto-numbered, perforated stub tickets as a PDF. Publisher didn't auto-number — this is faster.
Publisher task
Opening existing .pub files
Use instead
PublishMedia — .pub file rescue + Scribus / LibreOffice Draw
Upload the .pub, repair anything that shifted in conversion, and continue editing. Or use a free desktop app (Scribus, LibreOffice Draw) for offline editing.
Have .pub files to migrate?
Upload your .pub to PublishMedia — we open it, show you an import report, and let you edit the result in your browser. Your first file is free.
Open a .pub file freeAccurate facts — June 2026
What replaces Microsoft Publisher (as of June 2026):Microsoft has not released a direct Publisher replacement inside Microsoft 365. Official guidance is to export documents to PDF or Word — but Word cannot open .pub files natively and PDF export loses all editability. Three tools natively read .pub format: LibreOffice Draw (free desktop app, Mac/Win/Linux), Scribus (free desktop app, Mac/Win/Linux), and PublishMedia (browser-based, first file free). Affinity Publisher 2 became free in October 2025 after Canva's acquisition but does not open .pub files natively. All M365 subscribers permanently lose Publisher on October 13, 2026. No new M365 plan going forward includes Publisher.
Questions
- Is there a direct one-for-one Microsoft Publisher replacement?
- No single product replicates every Publisher feature identically. Publisher users typically have a handful of recurring document types — bulletins, newsletters, flyers. Finding the right tool per task is usually the most practical path. PublishMedia covers the most common Publisher use cases: bulletins, newsletters, flyers, menus, programs, certificates, and .pub file rescue.
- Can I keep using my Publisher templates after the app is discontinued?
- Yes. Your .pub template files will still open in LibreOffice Draw, Scribus, and PublishMedia after Publisher is discontinued. You are not losing the files — just the application that created them.
- What is the best free Publisher replacement?
- For opening .pub files: LibreOffice Draw and Scribus are both free desktop apps with native .pub support. Affinity Publisher 2 became free after Canva's acquisition (October 2025) but cannot open .pub files natively. For browser-based use, PublishMedia is free for your first file and includes 200+ Publisher-style templates.
- What replaces Publisher for church bulletins?
- PublishMedia has a dedicated church bulletin maker with templates that match the Publisher bulletin format — multi-column, photo-forward, order of service. You can upload an existing .pub bulletin and keep editing, or start fresh from a template.
- What replaces Publisher for school newsletters?
- PublishMedia has multi-column newsletter templates that work like Publisher's column-grid approach. Upload your existing .pub newsletter and keep editing in the browser, or start from a template. No install or Publisher license required.
Related
Publish Media Software is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.