Publisher alternative in 2026

Is this a reliable and SAFE source?

Thanks very much for pointing to Libre Office, downloaded & installed*. I tried unsuccessfully to save a Publisher file to Word and Libre just opened one file successfully as an editable file. Publisher hasn't been my most-used program in Office 365 but I used it, for example, when a special font I had with "ligatures" (flourishes) were not available for that font in Word but they are in Publisher.

I suppose Microsoft doesn't think many people are really into using Publisher but I get tired of corporate abandonware and taking away what people paid for.

* I suppose if I get fed up with Microsoft and its subscription model I might switch to the Libre Office suite. I stuck with Microsoft for a long time because of our years of email records in Outlook, for example, but I lost access to my decades of emails, regardless, and that's no longer a motive to stick with them.

PS I just successfully opened other MS files in Libre Office, spreadsheets, Word docs, and the only limitation/comparable feature missing that I noticed is Powerpoint files export formats. I have often used Powerpoint to export slide shows to video with the same timings and audio but that's not available in Libre office.

I have used Microsoft products in business since the company was founded and now in my retirement years (86 yrs old), I am beginning to feel much like your comment. Maybe time to give Apple a go! I just don't understand MS reasoning to quit an excellent program. The alternatives they offer are just not in the same category.

Ray Fowke.

And what are those options, because nothing is smoothly transferring publisher documents, and frankly, starting over fresh upsetting me.

Yes, agree. Discontinuing this is a BIG mistake. InDesign is not affordable, and other options are not really an option.

Please reconsider.