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?

Anonymous
2025-04-13T17:55:25+00:00

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?

As a senior and a person who has ADHD, I don't like change, I don't like to have to upgrade and purchase programs that were included and continue to pay higher prices for fewer services. I use Publisher a lot. We make camping calendars, calendars for family birthdays, workers' schedules, etc. Soon, there will be nothing in Microsoft to fulfill this. I make camping meal plans, and prep and supplies. and no, word and its things suck. Not even close to being user-friendly for seniors, if you learned to use Word before, the updates are not as user-friendly. Great for kids learning it now, sucks for seniors. I make banners, posters, cards, signs, etc. What will I use now? I had a chat with Mohammad for 20 minutes, and he kept telling me Microsoft has a plan, just wait for it. I did mention that once you state you are phasing things out, you already have a plan and might as well explain it. No large company or corporation says they are phasing something out if they haven't come up with a plan already! When he suggested I wait, I was not impressed at all. Wait for what? Wait to hear we waited too long to be a voice the company needed to hear from us sooner? Not a happy Granny!

The person I spoke with said that the company and higher-ups need to hear from us. If you like Publisher, let them know. I am trying!!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | Other

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T19:35:22+00:00

    Hi Shirley.

    Happy to help. Keep.on mind that Microsoft will end support of 2021 before too long. It will still work on your computer just no updates to the programs on 2021. I personally did not uninstall my subscription plan of office 365 and am having no issues running the 2021 version but will keep the 365 subscription just to be sure I get security updates. But with other 3rd party programs costing as much or more than I paid for office2021 with less functionality, I'm happy to have found this solution and happy to share. Pass it on to other frustrated Publisher users if you can. Have a great day.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T19:18:23+00:00

    I do not see any reason why Microsoft should remove Publisher for an existing M365 subscription.
    It should simply become end of life with no further support, but not removed from the installation.
    I can understand it not being supplied for new installations of M365 after it is no longer a supported program, but to remove it from an existing M365 subscription is a disservice to its dedicated users, especially since there have been no details of a replacement product.
    Neither PowerPoint nor Word are viable alternatives. The saving as a PDF and importing into Word is a non-runner for anything but simple Publisher files.
    I have several programs that can convert Publisher files to other formats such as Word or PowerPoint, but none of them are 100% successful in their conversions, and results are variable at best.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-06-26T16:47:17+00:00

    Thank you Diane! This is the first solution that will possibly work. With the thought of my renewal of $75.44 and your solution of $47.99, it seems a no brainer! I will give it a try before my subscription with MS runs out.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-06-25T21:21:50+00:00

    I agree 100%, Microsoft is abandoning the user again just as they did with Microsoft Digital Image Suite Software. in the 90's. As far as I am concerned Microsoft previously had the best photo software Microsoft Digital Image Suite Software and now the best Publisher software, they are abandoned the user again and at the same time charging us more for 365. What does the MS Board think about their action or reputation. As other have stated at least let us keep a non-supported version for our use.

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  5. Anonymous
    2025-06-25T14:29:03+00:00

    Microsoft, continue to run supporters off. In the 90's they had the best photo program available, and I saved thousands of photos in their format and then it was gone, and no replacement program was available. I have tried everything since and none was better than their photo program to this day, but Microsoft think they know best. Think about how many versions of Outlook/calendar they have left you hanging with. Some folks never learn. It just looks like they are trying to force you to the other side.

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