Publisher alternative in 2026

I have been using Microsoft Office since the beginning.

I have remained faithful to Microsoft Office since XP, in favor of less costly options, through the years because I did not have to learn a totally new process when the versions changed.

I am distraught that Publisher will be discontinued. I have learned to use it for CAD projects, letterheads, labels, and document formatting. Flyers Calendars and so many other computer projects.

If Publisher is no longer available I will probably switch to a more affordable office sweet!

I have no use for PowerPoint or Access. or Onenote.

All I use is Word Publisher and Excel. I did like Viseo but it got way too expensive!

I too have published my nationwide newsletter for over 25 years using Publisher. My genealogy newsletter has a lot of family photos in it. If you've ever tried to place a photo in the right position in

Word, you'd realize it's almost impossible. And then Publisher flows the text around the photo, but not Word.

Whoever made the decision to eliminate Publisher must be a computer techie who never published anything.

Bonnie Dailey

Dear Amanda Wilkinson,

Good day!!

I understand your concern but as per official Microsoft KB, currently there is no any particular application replacing the Publisher app but Microsoft is exploring the modern ways to achieve common Publisher scenarios and they will release the detailed blog when there is any update.

Moreover, I suggest you add your valuable feedback in the Publisher application (Open the Publisher app> Feedback at the bottom left> Send a Suggestion) which is the best place to share our ideas and improve the Microsoft products.

In addition, I will keep this thread open so that MVPs and experts in this community can share their ideas on this scenario.

Appreciate your patience and understanding. Have a great day!!

Best Regards,

Sophia

Dear Microsoft Team / Sophia,

I must express our deep frustration regarding the current situation with Microsoft Publisher. Our company has relied on Publisher for over 25 years, accumulating over 7,000 files that would be nearly impossible to redesign or import into any other Microsoft product without have to do major revisions.

This is completely unacceptable. We urgently need a response outlining our real options moving forward. At the very least, these Publisher files should allow for straightforward conversion to Word (keeping all styles, formats etc... in tack without needing to redo the whole project), which is the alternative being suggested to us.

It’s extremely unprofessional for a software company of your stature to leave users in this predicament. We urge you to reconsider your approach—either by maintaining the product or ensuring that users can seamlessly continue using it with Microsoft 365.

We look forward to your prompt response.

Hello Sophia,

I am very destressed that Publisher is being discontinued. Like, Amanda, I have used Publisher for over 20 years. Publisher is easy to use and is perfect for any document. As a first grade teacher, I used it every day for visual aides, letters and teaching helps. I still use it for teaching music to small children. Word is nowhere as easy to use as Publisher. Power Point is formatted differently. I have looked, and there is nothing out there that compares to Publisher. I cannot understand why you would discontinue such a valuable program.

I would hope that enough of your customers are as unhappy about this as I, and that perhaps Microsoft would reconsider this terrible decision on their part.

Sincerely,

Jan

Dear Microsoft Team,

I must express our deep frustration regarding the current situation with Microsoft Publisher. Our company has relied on Publisher for over 25 years, accumulating over 7,000 files that would be nearly impossible to redesign or import into any other Microsoft product without have to do major revisions.

This is completely unacceptable. We urgently need a response outlining our real options moving forward. At the very least, these Publisher files should allow for straightforward conversion to Word (keeping all styles, formats etc... in tack without needing to redo the whole project), which is the alternative being suggested to us.

It’s extremely unprofessional for a software company of your stature to leave users in this predicament. We urge you to reconsider your approach—either by maintaining the product or ensuring that users can seamlessly continue using it with Microsoft 365.

We look forward to your prompt response.