Baldwin Wallace University

IT Support

Microsoft 365: Publisher Retiring on October 1, 2026

  • Updated

Summary

Microsoft Publisher will be retired and unavailable after October 1, 2026. After this date, users will no longer be able to open or edit Publisher (.pub) files. This article outlines what you need to do now to preserve your files and provides step-by-step instructions for converting them.

Prerequisites

  • Access to Microsoft Publisher (before October 1, 2026)
  • Microsoft Word installed (for conversion)
  • Access to file storage locations (OneDrive, network drives, SharePoint, local files)

Instructions

Step 1: Locate Publisher Files

Search for .pub files in common storage locations:
  • OneDrive
  • Teams / SharePoint document libraries
  • Shared network folders
  • Local computer drives

Step 2: Convert Publisher Files

Option 1: Save as Word (.docx) — Best for preserving text
  1. Open your file in Microsoft Publisher
  2. Click File
  3. Select Save As
  4. Choose your save location
  5. In the Save as type dropdown, select Word Document (*.docx)
  6. Click Save
Option 2: Convert via PDF — Best for preserving layout
  1. Open your Publisher file
  2. Click File > Save As
  3. Select PDF as the file type
  4. Open Microsoft Word
  5. Click File > Open and select the PDF file
  6. Word will convert it into an editable document

Troubleshooting / FAQs

Q: What happens if I don’t convert my files by October 1, 2026?
A: After this date, Microsoft 365 will no longer support opening or editing .pub files.
 
Q: Which conversion method is best?
  • Use Word (.docx) if you need editable text
  • Use PDF conversion if maintaining layout/design is important
Q: Will formatting stay the same after conversion?
A: Some formatting may change slightly depending on complexity. Always review converted files.
Contact Support:
If you need assistance locating or converting Publisher files, contact the IT Help Desk:
  • Submit a ticket via help.bw.edu
  • Chat with us at help.bw.edu
  • Email us at helpdesk@bw.edu
  • Call us at (440) 826-7000
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