Why is Publisher being phased out, and what is Microsoft replacing it with? Will Microsoft 365 be cheaper since they are phasing out the program?

I think it is a shame that they are getting rid of the only user friends program. Word and PowerPoint are not user friendly. I use Publisher for almost everything in my work. Tickets, flyers, bulletins, presentations, because it is so easy to use. It is very upsetting that I have to learn a whole new program that takes me twice as long to make something or pay another fee. Please keep publisher!!!

I purchased a lifetime license and download of Microsoft Office 2021 from PCworld.com for 47.99. It was the only viable option I could see since Microsoft has refused to answer my messages in feedback though Inhaler asked for a reply. PC world recommended I uninstall my Microsoft Office 365 subscription before downloading 2021, but I did not and my hp desktop seems intelligent enough to handle both copies. It shows I am using the 2021 version and working fine. They offer other versions of Office ( Office Pro doesn't look like it has Publisher so be sure your ordering the right version if you decide to go this route. This version of publisher will remain on your computer when Office 365 stops it. Won't update after a while but will work as it does now, which is all I need. Hope it works for you. Price was no different than other brands of card printing software that had so much less capability than Publisher. Print Artist was 47.99 and only printed address and shipping labels; none of the specialty labels I use, like hershey kiss sized I make for family parties. So good luck. Hope this helps you.

Having recently paid for another year for Microsoft 365 at a cost of almost double the amount than last year I am very concerned and not happy to find that Microsoft are discontinuing Microsoft Publisher. I have been using Publisher for a good number of years and I use Publisher for everything I do, making cards, posters, banners, etc. etc. etc. Word does nothing for me at all. It is absolute rubbish. Why are they discontinuing Publisher when it has always been such a success. I have heard so many complaints about this myself and it has put so many people off anything to do with Microsoft. If, and I mean IF they care to replace it with something else it must be user friendly and be completely honest in letting us know now what is being planned.

The last thing I want to do at my age is find time to transfer all my 'writings' to PDF format from Publisher. I do not understand why Microsoft could not retain the Publisher program even if there was a cost to use it. I would be happy to pay for it. Publisher has been the perfect program for newsletters, brochures, and other documents that use photos, graphics, links, etc.

As mentioned earlier, I edit and write for a couple small non-profit organizations. Many of the products are printed and mailed rather than simply sent via e-mail to people who request information. A reality in this crazy world is the fact that many people over age 65 are not glued to their cell phones. Many prefer reading printed documents on paper that we can hold in our hands and refer to. It's easier on our eyes and on our brains. This decision to eliminate a publishing program that is so widely used by smaller groups/organizations is a shame. It sends a very negative message that says "You/We are not important."

Aside: Many who use Publisher are accomplished writers. AI may be helpful to a population that wasn't well educated in writing skills, but it is rather interfering to those of us who write well. This all makes me wonder what is going to happen to talents people have such as art and music. Why be creative if AI can create it all? Yes, I can see the good in AI, but making everything simple will destroy creativity.

I too have decades of work in Publisher. Word is severely lacking in functionality to do what Publisher can do. I've been told this community board is not monitored by Microsoft. You can send feedback to Microsoft using the feedback portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/. Post in the Word category, if there isn't a category for Publisher. If more comment at Microsoft feedback, maybe it will sway them. I also requested an email response when I filled out feedback this morning. Waiting to hear. Good luck.