Forum Discussion
Publisher replacement ideas
Below are the alternatives available:
- Affinity Publisher:
- A popular choice for its simplicity and affordability.
- Offers a one-time purchase (no subscription) and is compatible with macOS, Windows, and iPad.
- Scribus:
- A free, open-source desktop publishing tool.
- Great for creating professional layouts, though it might have a slight learning curve.
- Canva:
- Web-based and very intuitive.
- Ideal for creating visually appealing designs, though it may lack advanced desktop publishing features.
- Affinity Publisher:
I am submitting this complaint as a long-time Microsoft 365 customer responding to the recent announcement that Microsoft Publisher files will become inaccessible after October is unacceptable and represents a serious breach of trust with me, my small company and to the non-profit organizations for which I do work.
.I have hundreds of active .pub files that are essential to my daily work routine, most notably: greeting cards, 12-page personalized calendars, brochures, signage, labels, and archival materials.
Eliminating access to existing files is not a minor inconvenience. It is a direct threat to business continuity and will force users like me to rebuild years of work from scratch. There is no equivalent tool within Microsoft 365 that replicates Publisher’s layout capabilities. Word, PowerPoint, and Designer are not substitutes for a true page‑layout program.
I am requesting the following:
- Guarantee continued ability to open and edit existing .pub files, even if Publisher is no longer updated.
- Provide a reliable migration path that preserves layout fidelity for complex documents.
- Correct the messaging so customers understand exactly what will and will not be supported.
THANK YOU -- HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME ... ALLEN