{
  "id": 14750384,
  "title": "Missing Microsoft Publisher? LibreOffice is here to save the day",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/missing-microsoft-publisher-libreoffice-is-here-to-save-the-day",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-15T17:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/missing-microsoft-publisher-libreoffice-is-here-to-save-the-day"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft Publisher has officially been retired, marking the end of support for the proprietary .pub file format. The popular app used to access .pub files has been abandoned by Microsoft, prompting the LibreOffice team to step in. Drawing from the Document Liberation Project, LibreOffice has reverse-engineered the .pub format, allowing users to open and edit these documents using the Draw app.\n\nMicrosoft quietly ended support for Microsoft 365 subscribers earlier in October 2026, including perpetual licenses for Publisher 2021. While .pub files aren't set to be deleted, users are now being directed to use Word, PowerPoint, or another suitable app. However, LibreOffice has managed to provide a lifeline for Publisher users with its support for the .pub format.\n\nItalo Vignoli, a developer behind the Document Liberation Project, expressed his frustration with Microsoft's decision. He noted that LibreOffice had to reverse-engineer the .pub format due to Microsoft's abandonment of the application. Vignoli criticized Microsoft for forcing users into a vendor lock-in situation, restricting access to controls and imposing unwanted updates.\n\nFor organizations, schools, and associations, Vignoli urged a check of file formats to ensure they are not proprietary and dependent on a single vendor's application. Users who have lost access to Publisher via their M365 subscription are advised to bulk-convert their .pub documents using a PowerShell script or other automation tools. While perpetual licenses like Publisher 2021 do not remove the app, its functionality may degrade over time due to bugs and potential vulnerabilities.",
  "summary": "After reverse-engineering the Publisher file format, LibreOffice now allows users to access their unsupported Publisher files.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}