Microsoft 365
Publisher will no longer be available to install or access through Microsoft 365 after the retirement date.
HomePublisher end-of-life guide
Updated 11 September 2026
Microsoft Publisher ends in 2026. Your files do not have to.
Microsoft Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. Preserve important .pub files and test Megal's own direct import engine while the originals are still easy to check.
Direct .pub import without running Microsoft Publisher, LibreOffice or a PDF-first conversion.
Output access: Free accounts can use a watermarked Print Preview. Actual printing and PDF creation, export or download require an active Professional subscription. Subscribe now for full unrestricted access.
What Microsoft has announced
The important dates and details
Microsoft says Publisher reaches end of life in October 2026. Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to access Publisher after 1 October 2026, while support for the perpetual Publisher 2021 version ends on 13 October 2026.
Perpetual Publisher
Microsoft says perpetual versions can continue to be installed and used, but the 2021 version reaches the end of support.
Existing .pub files
The files do not automatically disappear, but you need a compatible application or a previously exported copy to use them.
Always confirm current licensing and support details with Microsoft’s official Publisher retirement guidance.
Where Megal Publisher fits
A browser-based path for Publisher-style work
Megal Publisher uses its own PUB import engine to read supported Publisher structures directly and rebuild them as editable page objects. It gives Publisher users a continuing workspace instead of leaving them with a static, uneditable copy.
Test the direct importer
Open a few real Publisher files for free, select the recovered objects and compare each imported page with the original layout or a trusted printout.
Correct and standardise
Fix changed fonts or object positions, update the branding and turn the result into a dependable working document.
Adopt the new master
Save the editable .mpub file and make Megal Publisher the place where future revisions and output are produced.
Megal's engine works from the .pub file itself.
It does not run Microsoft Publisher or LibreOffice behind the scenes and does not use a PDF page image as the starting point. Unsupported fonts and proprietary effects can still require review.
A migration plan you can finish
Publisher end-of-life checklist
1. Inventory every .pub file
Search computers, network shares, USB drives, OneDrive, SharePoint and archived project folders for files ending in .pub. Record the owner, purpose, last update and whether the document must remain editable.
Prioritise recurring newsletters, price lists, church bulletins, school materials, menus, programmes, certificates, labels, business cards and other files that people still update.
2. Separate inactive files from working documents
A finished historic publication may only need its original .pub file retained. A document that changes every month needs an editable future in Megal Publisher. Treat those two jobs differently:
- Retain: keep the original .pub file and any linked assets as your untouched source.
- Migrate: import the file into Megal Publisher, review it and save an editable .mpub master.
3. Start importing into Megal Publisher now
Open representative .pub files with Megal's own import engine while there is still time to compare them with the original Publisher layout. Supported text, images and layout elements are rebuilt as editable objects without a Microsoft Publisher, LibreOffice or PDF conversion step. Correct any changed fonts, text flow or object positions, then save each reviewed publication as an editable .mpub file.
4. Collect fonts and linked assets
Note the typefaces used and keep authorised copies of logos, photos and illustrations. Missing fonts are one of the most common reasons a converted document wraps differently. Check that you have the right to retain and use every asset.
5. Test a representative set
Do not begin with hundreds of files. Choose examples that cover the real range of your work: a simple flyer, a multi-page newsletter, a folded leaflet, a document with tables and a file with older graphics. Import them into your shortlisted replacement and record what needs adjustment.
Test the hard files, not just the easy ones.
A replacement decision is only useful if it handles the layouts, fonts, print settings and editing tasks your organisation actually relies on.
6. Decide what to import, rebuild or retire
Import files that move cleanly into Megal Publisher and still need editing. Rebuild valuable documents with dated branding or very complex layouts inside Megal Publisher. Retire duplicate, obsolete or legally expired material instead of carrying it forward.
7. Set a new master-file rule
Choose the editable format your team will keep from now on. With Megal Publisher, that working format is .mpub. Keep the editable master, the original .pub backup and relevant source assets together using a clear naming convention.
8. Train users and set a cut-off date
Give people a short practice task before they face a deadline. Pick an internal date for new work to begin in the replacement application, leaving time to solve printing, font and template issues before Microsoft’s deadline.
Questions about the deadline
Publisher retirement FAQ
When exactly does Microsoft Publisher support end?
Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to access Publisher after 1 October 2026. Support for the perpetual Publisher 2021 version ends on 13 October 2026. Check Microsoft’s official guidance for any updated dates that apply to your licence.
Will my Publisher files stop working?
The files remain on your storage, but opening and editing them depends on compatible software. Import important files into Megal Publisher before the deadline and save reviewed .mpub masters for continued editing.
Can I keep using a perpetual version?
Microsoft says perpetual versions can continue to be installed and used after support ends. Unsupported software may no longer receive security or reliability updates, so organisations should assess the risk and their licensing position.
What should I move into Megal Publisher first?
Start with files that are both important and frequently edited. Test complex recurring documents early so there is time to correct or rebuild them in Megal Publisher before the deadline.
Is Megal Publisher made by Microsoft?
No. Megal Publisher is an independent product from Megal Software Limited and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft.
Does Megal rely on Microsoft Publisher or LibreOffice to import files?
No. Megal Publisher uses its own PUB import engine to read supported structures directly from the original file and rebuild them as editable Megal objects. Complex fonts, effects and unsupported Publisher features should still be checked after import.
Do not wait for the last .pub file
Start with one representative publication today. Select its recovered text, images and layout objects to see what Megal's direct importer can carry into your new workflow.