How will I do a catalog merge after Publisher is discontinued?

Lucas Savoie 10 Reputation points
2026-03-17T18:10:15.0766667+00:00

Despite this being a very necessary function often used for my work, this is not included in the list of Publisher's functions in the "Recommended Alternatives to Publisher" list. (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026-ee6302a2-4bc7-4841-babf-8e9be3acbfd7)

So how will I do catalog merges now?

Aside from that, to imply that Word and PowerPoint have nearly the same level of design capabilities as Publisher is objectively false. To suggest that clients should simply convert all Publisher files to PDFs (as if that would help anyone) is completely asinine. And to do all of this while simultaneously making the Perpetual version of Publisher unavailable for purchase feels downright insidious.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | Other
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-03-17T18:10:29.1366667+00:00

    Catalog merge in Publisher is a feature that merges multiple records from a data source (spreadsheet, table, database, etc.) into a single publication to create catalogs, directories, or photo albums, including both text and pictures. It works by designing a catalog merge template, inserting merge fields, and then generating merged pages that can be printed, saved as a new publication, or added to an existing publication.

    After Publisher is discontinued and access to the application is removed for Microsoft 365 subscribers after October 2026, there is no documented Microsoft 365 app that directly replaces Publisher’s catalog merge feature with equivalent functionality. The documented guidance focuses on:

    • Continuing to use Publisher with full functionality until support ends in October 2026.
    • Converting existing Publisher files (including catalog merge outputs) to formats such as PDF in bulk using automation (for example, PowerShell scripts that open Publisher files and export them via Document.ExportAsFixedFormat or Document.SaveAs).
    • Using other Microsoft 365 apps (Word, PowerPoint, Designer, etc.) as replacements for various publication types (ads, flyers, brochures, labels, newsletters, etc.), but catalog merge is not listed among the recommended alternative scenarios.

    Within Publisher itself (while it is still available), catalog merge can still be used to generate final, non-merge-dependent outputs that can be preserved:

    1. Create a catalog merge template (a one-page publication with a catalog merge area and merge fields bound to the data source).
    2. Complete the merge and choose one of the supported options:
      • Print the merged publication directly.
      • Use Merge to New to create a new publication containing the actual data instead of merge fields, then save that publication for later editing or printing.
      • Use Add to Existing to append the merged pages to an existing publication (for example, a publication that already contains covers or additional pages), then save that combined publication.

    These steps allow preservation of catalog content as standard Publisher publications or as exported PDFs before Publisher is retired. However, the provided documentation does not specify a Microsoft product that will offer the same catalog merge workflow after Publisher is no longer accessible.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.