Publisher alternative in 2026

This is Microsoft's latest "guidance" from a few days ago, which does not mention if you can have two versions of Publisher on the same computer:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026-ee6302a2-4bc7-4841-babf-8e9be3acbfd7 Can I still install Publisher after October 2026? If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft Publisher will no longer be available for installation or download after October 2026. However, if you have the Perpetual version of Publisher, although support will end, you will still be able to install and use the app beyond this date.

What happens to my existing Publisher files after the end of support? If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you will no longer be able to open or edit your Publisher files using Microsoft Publisher. It is recommended to convert your existing files to PDF or Word format before this date. If you have the Perpetual version of Publisher, you will still be able to access and edit your files.

That's great! I also tried Draw and was able to open a 30-page office file quickly. Some of the drawings and images were turned sideways and slightly compressed, but I haven't had time to do much with it. Also, colors were not the same or were black and white. But so far, this is the best alternative I've tried. Scribus opened .pubs but they were pretty messed up.

I hope people will sign the Publisher petition on change.org. It's doubtful that Microsoft will care about it, but it can't hurt.

It won't open a publisher file, It would open it from pdf & then allows line by line edit. You can open your publisher file & do a copy & paste. I'm still playing with it, but like I've mentioned it's not as easy as Publisher to use to begin with.

You do that when you convert to pdf - hit Options & then Print Options.

Interested to read the replies re Publisher. Yes, greatly disappointed the news of withdrawing this so popular soft ware. I use it almost daily, for Family History Charts that I can manipulate the boxes to my preferences. However that is just one instance, The ease of converting to .pdf file also much preferred to Word. I could go on without doubt it is my principle soft ware programme for even writing letters at Christmas of any and all Birthdays for my family and friends,

Yes, I will sorely miss Publisher if it is withdrawn from support.

with regrets M.McA