Microsoft Publisher Has Been Retired: What to Do Now
Microsoft has officially retired the program, and it affects how you open, edit, and create those files going forward.
What Happened
Microsoft ended Publisher on October 1, 2026. If your office uses Microsoft 365, Publisher is no longer included in your subscription. It can no longer be downloaded or installed, and Microsoft says subscribers can't access it anymore. This isn't a problem with your computer, and nothing you did caused it. Microsoft chose to retire the program and points users to Word and PowerPoint for most of the same jobs.
Why It Matters
Your existing flyers, newsletters, and notices were saved as Publisher files, and those files are now harder to open and edit. Anything you haven't converted yet is worth rescuing soon, before it gets lost or forgotten on an old computer.
Save Your Files
If Publisher is still open or available on any computer in your office, save your files from it right away.
- Open the Publisher file.
- Go to File > Save As (or Export).
- Save a copy as a PDF. This keeps the layout exactly as it looks, but you can't easily edit it.
- If you will need to make changes later, also look for a Word or other editable option, and check the result carefully. Complicated layouts don't always convert perfectly.
If Publisher is already gone from your computer, don't delete your old files. Keep them, copy them to a shared folder or backup, and call us. There are still ways to try to open them.
What to Use Instead
Most of what offices do in Publisher can be done in tools you may already have.
Microsoft Word is the closest everyday replacement for simple flyers, notices, and newsletters. It includes templates, and most staff already know how to use it.
Microsoft PowerPoint works well for posters and one-page graphics where you want to place text and pictures anywhere on the page. It's more flexible than it sounds, and it can save as a PDF for printing.
Canva is a website with ready-made templates for flyers, newsletters, and invitations. It's popular because it's easy and looks polished. Many features are free, though some templates and tools require a paid plan. Check what's included before you commit, and remember that anything you upload to a website is outside your office's systems.
LibreOffice Draw is a free program that can sometimes open older Publisher files. There will often be layout issues that arise when importing a publisher file, so there will usually be some adjustments required to the document to put it back to the original format.
A simple rule of thumb: if it's mostly text, use Word. If it's mostly pictures and design, try PowerPoint or Canva.
A Note on Resident Information
When you move to a new tool, especially an online one like Canva, keep resident privacy in mind. Use these tools for public-facing materials like event flyers and general notices. Don't upload documents that contain resident names, addresses, or case details to a website your housing authority hasn't approved.
