Who can I complain to at corporate about discontinuing MS Publisher?!!

Question

Who can I complain to at corporate about discontinuing MS Publisher?!!

amirek 35

Please, please don't discontinue Publisher! I've used it for years, and I find it BETTER than Word! It's much more functional for all manner of documents, whereas Word is NOT. Word has too many limitations and is much more difficult to use. So many small businesses use Publisher because it works well for preparing documents for print. It was bad enough that Microsoft removed the scan function and I had to turn to Adobe Acrobat to scan documents! Microsoft needs to STOP trying to fix things and just improve on what they have with as few changes as possible!.

My husband and I both use Publisher for personal use and our very small business. It just works so much easier than Word. ALSO: we DO NOT like 365 or any Cloud-based programs!

There are still MANY people who don't have internet in rural areas, so Cloud-based programs are NOT feasible!

Update Publisher if necessary--I'll buy a new Microsoft Office package so long as it's desktop-based. But, if Microsoft discontinues either Publisher or the desktop-based software, I will NOT buy any more MS products--I will turn to open source. We've used Microsoft products for over 20 years and that's DAILY. But we feel like Microsoft is leaving us behind. We can't afford Cloud-based subscriptions.

There is no reason for very small businesses like ours to have to spend so much on massive programs the go way beyond our needs! It's expensive enough just using non-Cloud-based products, since the prices of everything else just keep going up, while our income just keeps going down. I guess Microsoft is no longer interested in the individuals who started with them and made them what they are, instead focusing on the larger corporate needs, and that's a crying shame, because there are a lot of US still out here.

Stephanie Matthews 15 Reputation points

2026-01-08T15:44:48.7866667+00:00

I agree! I am so sad they are getting rid of it. Word and Powerpoint are just not the same. I think the small business commuity really rely on it a lot. I am so upset it is going!
Stephanie Matthews 15 Reputation points

2026-01-08T15:45:46.4566667+00:00

Let me know if you found any decent petitions for it - the only one I found has just a handful of signatures. Theremust be more of us out there (here?)
Valdez, Melissa - BAC 5 Reputation points

2026-01-12T01:31:52.12+00:00

Publisher is the ONLY THING Microsoft has going to differentiate from Google. Docs is Word ~ Sheets is Exel ~ Slides are PowerPoint. Really bad move in my opinion.
amirek 35 Reputation points

2026-01-12T16:25:29.3066667+00:00

There is an online petition to stop Microsoft from ending Publisher! Here's the link:

https://c.org/rKRMWsDbmL If the link is disabled, you can just Google "Microsoft Publisher petition", or go to Change dot org and do a search.
Brittany 0 Reputation points

2026-02-19T20:03:53.24+00:00

I agree! Publisher is amazing and should not be discontinued! I say we take to social media!
Lori 0 Reputation points

2026-06-04T14:19:40.0366667+00:00

I hope MS will reconsider and come up with a way to offer Publisher.
So far, we haven't found a package that is as intuitive as Publisher or has the same capabilities. Word is not suitable for our combination of text and images, editing capabilities, etc. and Power Point is not even less usable for us.

Our organization uses Publisher daily for a variety of tasks and the vast majority of our technical documents were created in Publisher. I suspect we are one of a vast number that will be spending time and money to move to a new package that won't be MS or integrated with MS.

MS, please reconsider . . . and offer a solution
B. H 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T15:14:35.5566667+00:00

What kills me is that while registering to make a comment here, Microsoft makes me sign up so they can send me a bunch of crap emails pushing their other stuff.

I know that I'm supposed to be polite here but I'm tired of these oligarchs taking advantage of us common folks. Microsoft knows they are not providing a "like for like" product, but they don't care. They are certainly aware of the hole it will leave for us smaller 'publishers', but it doesn't matter. I'm nearly 70 years old and just found out today that Publisher will be discontinued. I have used Publisher through the years at various churches to provide the weekly church bulletin, newsletters, various flyers and ads, and a myriad of other documents, solely because it was EASY and the end product is professional. One could manipulate text, boxes, pictures, photos, borders--just everything. It is beyond me what we are expected to use now for that purpose, and I'm incensed the Microsoft does not care. Because if they did, there would be a replacement product, not just NOTHING.

In these days and times, we must all think seriously about whether we want to continue to support these businesses which our dollars and interest have built. Like some politicians, they have forgotten where their bread is buttered; who puts those dollars into their pockets. I am so angry about Microsoft's decision to just end Publisher without a replacement. WE built your company and we like Publisher. Microsoft's decision to end this software will definitely affect my use of Microsoft products in the future. I will have to wean myself off your products in the same way I have stopped using and have boycotted businesses and products who don't serve me well during these tumultuous times.

8 answers

Your answer

Stephanie Matthews 15 Reputation points

2026-01-08T15:44:48.7866667+00:00

I agree! I am so sad they are getting rid of it. Word and Powerpoint are just not the same. I think the small business commuity really rely on it a lot. I am so upset it is going!
Stephanie Matthews 15 Reputation points

2026-01-08T15:45:46.4566667+00:00

Let me know if you found any decent petitions for it - the only one I found has just a handful of signatures. Theremust be more of us out there (here?)
Valdez, Melissa - BAC 5 Reputation points

2026-01-12T01:31:52.12+00:00

Publisher is the ONLY THING Microsoft has going to differentiate from Google. Docs is Word ~ Sheets is Exel ~ Slides are PowerPoint. Really bad move in my opinion.
amirek 35 Reputation points

2026-01-12T16:25:29.3066667+00:00

There is an online petition to stop Microsoft from ending Publisher! Here's the link:

https://c.org/rKRMWsDbmL If the link is disabled, you can just Google "Microsoft Publisher petition", or go to Change dot org and do a search.
Brittany 0 Reputation points

2026-02-19T20:03:53.24+00:00

I agree! Publisher is amazing and should not be discontinued! I say we take to social media!
Lori 0 Reputation points

2026-06-04T14:19:40.0366667+00:00

I hope MS will reconsider and come up with a way to offer Publisher.
So far, we haven't found a package that is as intuitive as Publisher or has the same capabilities. Word is not suitable for our combination of text and images, editing capabilities, etc. and Power Point is not even less usable for us.

Our organization uses Publisher daily for a variety of tasks and the vast majority of our technical documents were created in Publisher. I suspect we are one of a vast number that will be spending time and money to move to a new package that won't be MS or integrated with MS.

MS, please reconsider . . . and offer a solution
B. H 0 Reputation points

2026-09-11T15:14:35.5566667+00:00

What kills me is that while registering to make a comment here, Microsoft makes me sign up so they can send me a bunch of crap emails pushing their other stuff.

I know that I'm supposed to be polite here but I'm tired of these oligarchs taking advantage of us common folks. Microsoft knows they are not providing a "like for like" product, but they don't care. They are certainly aware of the hole it will leave for us smaller 'publishers', but it doesn't matter. I'm nearly 70 years old and just found out today that Publisher will be discontinued. I have used Publisher through the years at various churches to provide the weekly church bulletin, newsletters, various flyers and ads, and a myriad of other documents, solely because it was EASY and the end product is professional. One could manipulate text, boxes, pictures, photos, borders--just everything. It is beyond me what we are expected to use now for that purpose, and I'm incensed the Microsoft does not care. Because if they did, there would be a replacement product, not just NOTHING.

In these days and times, we must all think seriously about whether we want to continue to support these businesses which our dollars and interest have built. Like some politicians, they have forgotten where their bread is buttered; who puts those dollars into their pockets. I am so angry about Microsoft's decision to just end Publisher without a replacement. WE built your company and we like Publisher. Microsoft's decision to end this software will definitely affect my use of Microsoft products in the future. I will have to wean myself off your products in the same way I have stopped using and have boycotted businesses and products who don't serve me well during these tumultuous times.

Answer 1

Woodward, Steven 0

Please do not discontinue Microsoft Publisher. I work in the funeral industry and use Publisher to create memorial stationary using Publisher and it is by far a better product. I have tried using Word, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Express and others and though I can do some of the same things a Publisher, it is much more difficult and time consuming to use these other products. Publisher also saves all the Properties settings in my templates so that I only have to add information and print. All the others, I need to changes the properties every time. Please find a way to keep Microsoft Publisher.

0 comments

Answer 2

I am writing to express my disappointment with Microsoft’s decision to discontinue Publisher. I have used this program for decades, both personally and professional. I have created some amazing newsletters, cards, programs, flyers and more. Numerous compliments and requests for the work I do with Publisher. I make all my greeting cards using Publisher so I can personalize them and make them special for the individual. I have tried other programs suggested (Canva, Word, Adobe) but after several attempts I have not been able to design the cards I wish to create. These options are not at all a substitute. With Publisher the layout was easy to navigate, and I could easily see what I was doing and what it would look like when printed. Will you please reconsider the plan to discontinue Publisher.

Answer 3

Joanna Claire 0

The suggested alternatives aren’t even close to what Publisher offers to its users. I’ve used this software since at least 2008. I use it for so many things as well as using Canva. I know which app is best for the type of project I’m doing because while some people think they are interchangeable, they really are not.

Brittany 0 Reputation points

2026-04-23T00:53:28.73+00:00

I completely agree! I was taught Publisher in school and have used it for 20+ years. Canva has so many limitations! I will take things from canva and move them into publisher for finalizing and printing
kevin cadwallender 0 Reputation points

2026-08-10T11:46:35.37+00:00

Absolutely all of the suggested replacements are not fit for purpose . It is a ridiculous move on the part of Microsoft and many people will be seeking to move away from Microsoft as there is no telling what it will withdraw next . I am already looking.

Answer 4

If you have a desktop non-365 version of Publisher that has a perpetual license (e.g., Microsoft Office Professional 2021), it won't be deleted from you computer. You can continue to use it after Oct 2026, but it won't be getting any more updates.

If you have the 365 version of Publisher that is a subscription, then you'll no longer be able to use it to open or edit Publisher files after support ends in Oct 2026. You will need to use another application. I do not recommend using PowerPoint or Word since those applications lack the features found in Publisher. Here are some better options:

Purchase Microsoft Office Professional (Pro) 2021 which has Publisher with a perpetual license. See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/office-professional-2021/cfq7ttc0hhj9/0003?activetab=pivot:overviewtab However, you typically cannot have both Office 365 and Office 2021 installed on the same computer. You'll have to choose which one to use, or install them on separate computers.
Download and install LibreOffice. See https://www.libreoffice.org/. LibreOffice installs on your computer, and it is a free complete office suite of applications (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, Base, and Math). Draw will open Publisher files and allow you to edit them.
Download and install Affinity Page Layout. See https://www.affinity.studio/page-layout-software. Affinity Page Layout is also free (without AI) and installs on your computer. But it currently does not open Publisher files directly. You first need to convert the Publisher file to PDF. (There are several online file converters that will do the conversion for you for free.) Then use Affinity Page Layout to open the PDF as described here: https://www.affinity.studio/help/get-started-import-pdf/.

Which of these three options to use depends on your needs. If you want to continue using Publisher, then Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is your best choice. You avoid a learning curve, but you may need a 2nd computer.

If you are looking for a free option, and only create simple, single-page items (flyers, signs, basic forms), or have a massive archive of old Publisher files that all need to be frequently opened/edited, then choose LibreOffice Draw. However, it lacks precision alignment and advanced commercial print controls like bleed setup and robust CMYK color profiles required by professional printing presses.

On the other hand, if you routinely design complex, multi-page layouts (newsletters, booklets, catalogs) and need a highly professional tool that functions similarly to Adobe InDesign, then choose Affinity Page Layout.

There are a number of YouTube videos that describe the features and how to use LibreOffice Draw and Affinity Page Layout. Many features work very similar to Publisher.

NOTE: Microsoft Office Professional (Pro) is a perpetual license for individuals and you are given a product key. Once installed, the product is in your Microsoft account, and you can download and reinstall it again at a later time, if you need to.

Avoid Office Professional Plus and Office LTSC Professional Plus. They are for organizations that use volume licensing. Some are illegal copies, do not come with product keys, and will not appear in your Microsoft account.

Answer 5

While I used to use Publisher for some of my small business dealings, I use it for personal projects now. It's easy to use and the results are very professional looking. One feature I do miss is the ability to scan from my scanner, but if I have to do without it to keep Publisher, I'll take it. I've used it for designing and printing business cards, invoices, documents of various types, envelopes, etc. for my small businesses in the past. Now I use it for things like garage sale flyers, for sale signs, creating invitations, recipe cards, etc. It's been invaluable to me and my husband uses it all the time to create documents for his job as a corporate pilot. I don't know what I'm going to do without Publisher. Frankly, if Microsoft had to eliminate one of its many programs, I'd happily give up Word so I could keep Publisher, because I can do the same things and MORE with Publisher.