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
    2025-07-15T02:49:20+00:00

    What really gets me is that Microsoft can blow over $7 BILLION buying a cel phone manufacturer & have the purchase be a total failure yet by killing Publisher they are going to balance the budget? They are still very profitable. Is there a lack of users of Publisher and they are no longer able to justify the expense and /or time keeping it going? Would the resources needed to keep it going be better spent somewhere else and if so, where? Is Microsoft 365 needing to be slimmer? Does it use to much in the way of resources? If so, there are tons of Microsoft products that are memory hogs, storage hogs, etc. I am simply bumfuzzled at this action. I can see zero reasons for killing it and Microsoft, other than simply saying "use Word", doesn't really want to or can't give a realistic reason for this.

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  2. Stefan Blom 351.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-07-14T15:10:53+00:00

    Sally,

    To reach decision makers at Microsoft, you have to post feedback via Help > Feedback in Publisher and/or via the portal at https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472. There is no forum for Publisher, but I would suggest that you post in the Word forum.

    Older perpetual licenses can still be used, even after 2026. If you have Office 2021 Professional, for example, you can continue using Publisher after October 2026.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-07-14T03:58:25+00:00

    Sally,

    I frustratingly searched for an alternative as it appears Microsoft has turned a deaf ear to all of these comments. They don't monitor this bulletin board but there is a feedback option in the Help menu. There is no Publisher subject section but many are leaving feedback in the Word section. I've had no reply using that from Microsoft. So not sure if it's being read either. Searching for other software has been futile. But I did find a stand alone licensed download of Office 2021 that includes Publisher at PCWORLD.COM for 47.99 and now I have a copy I can use when the subscription Publisher programs goes away. If you have an old licensed copy you can use that. If not the purchase from PCWORLD.COM seems to be a viable alternative to keeping the software and being able to continue to use it and open your Publsher files. It certainly is no more expensive than other programs that have much less to offer. Hope this helps you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-07-14T02:55:34+00:00

    Unlike English courses I taught, there is no preparation to replace Publisher. "To wait and see" is not an answer.

    A progressive explanation would keep many folks happy. I've praised Publisher for being a beautiful way to give ethnic groups, reunions, etc. mementos to remember good meetings. Last Saturday I finished 3 of the pages for an August program, intending to complete the document this morning.

    After many frustrated hours, I found that you dropped the quarter-page, one sheet format. Shame! Shame!

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