Introductions

Object Linking

David Leary — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 00:31:12 GMT

Hi, I have tried and failed to link excel and word docs easily with publisher and to auto update, imagine the scenario of having some data in excel / xml / sql database that you want to create charts, stats etc. A good example is a monthly newsletter (which is where I was going).

Do you intend to improve data/object linking capabilities in publisher to a standard that combines well with other office applications?

The save as PDF functionality will be sooo cool as a lot of the print industry (I deal with 20 different print houses) has now caught up to the rest of the world with PDF!!! They now accept PDF at different levels so this is a much welcome addition.

Good luck with the development guys. Keep up the good work.

highlighting

Joe O'Laughlin — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 20:06:08 GMT

Saving as .pdf from OneNote would be great if highlighting did not get turned to an opaque stripe. I've heard MS print path does not handle a translucent layer well. ScanSoft PDF Create or Converter Pro does reproduce that translucent highlighting in a .pdf . Thanks for your insights.

re: Ihighlighting

Jeff Bell — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 02:22:48 GMT

Joe - I agree that wouldn't be a very good experience. I can confirm that on current builds of OneNote, highlighting looks appropriately transparent.

More generally, you may be interested in Cyndy Wessling's post (http://blogs.msdn.com/cyndy_wessling/archive/2005/10/13/480865.aspx) in which she describes choices we made to allow us to pick up things like transparency and gradients from documents.

re: Introductions

Walter Lounsbery — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 16:09:38 GMT

Hi there! Chalk up one more reader!

I'm interesting in Publisher programmability through .NET and use of the application for newsletters and short publications.

Thanks!

re: Introductions

Doug Chaplin — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 01:22:02 GMT

While I help a number of people who only use Publisher for DTTP stuff in voluntary organistaions, I don't tend to use it for my own stuff, although 2003 is the first version I'd felt comfortable encouraging Word users to use. More than most Office software, it's interface can be really clunky: e.g. the basic function of setting columns in a frame is heideous to get to. I'd be really interested in seeing how the new UI thinking is affecting the product. Being easy to use, and accomplished at the same time, is a hard goal. Soething that educated people in basic principles, while allowing an easy start would be good. Yes the schemes and themes are helpful, but moving from them to your own look is rather harder than it should be (e.g. the way Publisher handles leading) Good luck.

re: Introductions

JoAnn Paules (MVP - Publisher) — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 04:45:24 GMT

I don't have *a lot* of spare time but I might find time to read a blog about Publisher.

re: Introductions

David Bartosik MVP Publisher — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 16:02:42 GMT

look at it this way, you'll always have your MVP's to keep you company.

re: Introductions

Ian Thomas — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 17:56:55 GMT

I'm here because of the PDF publishing ... actually, I gave up on Publisher a few years ago.

But things might have changed.

In the past, hardware was possibly a bit inadequate. That can't be said these days. But another 'problem' was the clunky interface, and like another respondent, I'd like to see things well-integrated with the Office look and feel (yes, I remember the Lotus 123 court-case) and functionality / tight integration.
In my opinion, it's only been in Office 2002/2003 that the promise of tight integration and code-compatibility that was promised since 97 has been delivered.
I couldn't believe that Publisher was even a rough fit, so - despite my MSDN subscription - I haven't even installed it. Instead, I've used Canvas (from ACD Systems - previously Deneba) for high-quality publishing, and Word 2003 for anything else that could be done quicker, or required wider distribution.

But the PDF file format was often the ultimate distribution medium.

I'd like to see full-featured PDF publishing (layers, transparency, etc) from MS Publisher (and MS Word 12), but what really gets me going is the new Office 12 XML formats and the 'Metro' specification.

I'd appreciate uour blooging about how Publisher file formats will fit the broader Office 12 XML schema, and how the printing and publsihing will be transitioned across PDF and the new formats.

That's a big ask for starters, but you did say ...

re: Introductions

Andre Da Costa — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 18:47:05 GMT

Its great to have the Publisher Team now blogging!

re: Introductions

Fred — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 22:11:16 GMT

Hi, first let me say that I have loved Publisher since I first started using it in Office 95. That said, I have been disapointed in the changes that were made to the word art since then. It used to be a very powerful app with an almost infinate number of possibilities, but it seems that now it is were limited to the few pre-selected offerings. How about changing it back to the super tool it used to be? Or, at least make it a preference for which option you want to have show up. Thanks

re: Introductions

Mr. Dee — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 19:30:08 GMT

Fred, seriously it sounds like you are still using Publisher 95. BTW, Publisher for Windows 95 was sold as standalone product, it was not bundled with Office until 97 with Small Business Edition.

re: Introductions

Tim Hickernell (Content Analyst) — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 02:03:59 GMT

Jeff,
One feature painfully missing from Adobe's "PDF Maker" for Publisher is automatic conversion of linked stories to article threads in the PDF. If the intended format for end user consumption is electronic media, versus print output, then article threading is of great benefit to the utimate reader of the PDF.
Will Publisher 12 support PDF article threading, at least threading that is compatible with the Adobe Reader?
Tim Hickernell

re: Introductions

Mark Stephens — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 07:25:35 GMT

Why can't I print or make a pdf document from my newsletter done on publisher. I've downloaded a different pdf printer and I read that the drivers for the printer cant be loaded even though they are installed correctly.

re: Introductions

Kirby — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 07:29:14 GMT

I have been looking for news for some time on the future of Publisher. Features that I would like to see would be the ability to crop a photo and pan the photo inside the crop boundries...i.e. see PagePlus. I would also like to be able to combine Publisher pages from multiple users into one book without having to copy and paste.

re: Introductions

Carol Greenstone — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 00:29:30 GMT

I'm not an MVP, but I've used Publisher since the begining. I can't find anything easier that does as much as Publisher. I use it to make cards for family and friends, news letters for work, web sites for myself and my friends, fliers for our advertising and catalogs for handouts at the shows. I have and use all the adobe products, but when it comes to needing something in a hurry, I always turn to Publisher. It's a staple in my home and business. So if I can find a blog (which I've never used before) that will help me help you make the program better, easier and teach me more... I'm all for it.

re: Introductions

Peggy S. — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 22:34:10 GMT

I, too, have loved Publisher snce my very first and still current one, the 2000 edition, with Picture It! I love Picture It! (I used to work with Adobe Photoshop at work but can't afford that for home.) But it does get cumbersome going back and forth between the two programs. I wonder if 2003 with Digital Imaging is what I am looking for? With both programs combined in one? Also, I am interesetd in upgrading. I have gotten quite bored with the limited graphics and abilities of the graphics and features so that I seldom use them. I wonder when the new edition will come out so maybe I should wait until then?

re: Introductions

Carolyn — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 00:46:35 GMT

Jeff,
I have been actively using Publisher since 1996. I worked for a youth dept. until 2004. Now I do marketing from my home. I consider myself a Publisher expert!! I do all kinds of creative publications with it and pretty much make it do anything I want it to. The biggest frustration I have is with the margins.The margins are usually too large for what I want to do. I know it also has to do with my printer. I just got the new HP K550 printer. I am interested in any improvements being implemented for Publisher.

re: Introductions

Jim — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 22:20:20 GMT

How about creating a Publisher viewer? A simple search on search.msn.com for "opening microsoft publisher files" will show the nightmare that people without publisher go through. It is so bad, in fact, that a lot of print shops won't accept a .pub document.

Please rectify this. Word has a viewer, as does Excel and, famously, PowerPoint. Why not publisher?

A viewer with the option of exporting to PS or other formats would be even better.

re: Publisher

Chris K — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 20:51:19 GMT

If a blog could solve the heinous instability problems that appear in MS Publisher 2002 whenever I embed more than one or two items then maybe it would be useful! Of course instability is such a key part of most MS products that perhaps Publisher are just keeping with tradition?
If MS had to pay for all the wasted time and lost work then Bill would probably be in debt by now.

re: Introductions

Buck — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 02:13:46 GMT

Jeff,

I have noticed a really peculiar kerning problem in Publisher 12 when using the Segoe UI font. I opened a file from Pub2003, and some of the letter-kerning pairs (most specifically, "di" "fr" "du" "dg" and "de") all kerned really poorly, almost cramming letters into each other.

I started to file a bug report, then figured I should prove this bug. I opened a new pub, using the same font, and everything is perfect.

Would it be worth submitting this "old -> new" kerning problem file with a bug report, or am I running into a known conversion glitch?

Publisher Viewer

George E. — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 23:51:25 GMT

Definitley. A Publisher Veiwer would make the application more valuable and more widely used due to portablity of the designed media.

re: Introductions

David — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 12:15:53 GMT

The lack of a viewer is one thing that has really kept me from recommending Publisher to others

re: Introductions

Patty D. — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 07:43:17 GMT

I have just run into a problem with not being able to view Publisher files. Even though I have a relatively new computer with Microsoft XP, I don't have the software for Publisher and it would be great if I could download a viewer at least for these documents. At the very least they should be compatible enough to view them through a different application.

re: Introductions

Larry G — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 02:25:09 GMT

I do not yet have any significant Publisher experience but my company and many other Architecture firms have a specific need that perhaps Publisher can address.

We need to be able to place a .PDF image of a drawing sheet into a page layout program. We need the image to maintain its original size (scale) and to be able to crop the image down to display only a portion of the sheet (a specific detail). The page also needs to include a small title block with editable text.

This can be done quite well in PageMaker but that is about the only use most of us have for PageMaker.

If Publisher can handle this, I would love to hear about it.

Thanks.

re: Introductions

Judi — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 03:35:48 GMT

The fact that there is no way to open files that were created by different versions of Publisher is causing me some major headaches. If there was some kind of viewer, I might at least be able to see the information that people are trying to send me. As it is, Publisher files may as well be blank documents, as far as I am concerned. What a nightmare.

re: Introductions

Dom — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 03:31:13 GMT

A viewer would be fantastic as My OA creates file for me in publisher and all I need to do is view and print from the comforts of home. I don't need to edit file at all just print and view. Best of luck.

re: Introductions

Angel S — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 08:09:52 GMT

I have been a Publisher user ever since 2000, when I was 11 years old and used it to create my school's newspaper. It is a wonderful tool I feel would be useful for many people that don't know it yet. It is fantastic!

re: Introductions

walt foster — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 20:39:38 GMT

Anything that would improve the usefulness of Publisher would be helpful.

Do not over look those who do use Publisher at home

I think you do need more feed back from individual users.

re: Introductions

Dee Lynn — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 21:19:19 GMT

Help... I am trying to use Publisher (either 2000 or 2003 - I have both) and can't embed the font that I must use. The font license that I have is evidently only for "in-house" use. However... it seems to me that I would be able to use if for my own purposes and then be able to save the document. I tried "Pack & Go" and lost the entire document. Font won't show up when I send to .pdf (I also own Adobe Acrobat). Please... tell me where to find help on this matter. I have made the investment in this particular font and seem to be only able to use if for my own entertainment. The tell me something about making an outline... which I cannot find any information on. Please... help me. I don't know where to go... Help please. Dee Lynn, deejlynn@aol.com

re: Introductions

Francis — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 22:41:17 GMT

Publisher really needs better text handling. Where are the references (like footnotes and TOCs?) Why are text styles so rudimentary? Why does spacing look so primitive compared to Word?

Microsoft Word handles long documents with ease but chokes when the layout gets complicated.

Publisher handles complicated layout but doesn't have the tools for long documents.

The only solution is NOT to use Microsoft Office. But that is not a solution, as when I am putting together a publication, most contributors have used Word--and converting (including formatting, structure, and objects) to other programs (i.e. DTP) does not work well. Even the Word importer/translator in Publisher can't read my Word files!

An interesting idea would be to mimic what Outlook does. It uses Microsoft Word to compose e-mails. Use Microsoft Word as the text editor in Publisher. You'd get the text handling of Word, the layout of Publisher, ease the learning curve for new users, facilitate data exchange, and leverage the installed base of Microsoft Word.

re: Introductions

Edgar Coudal — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 19:19:07 GMT

How do I place a PDF file in a Publisher document? Pls reply to the aol address since I may never find this blog again. Thanks in advance
Edgar Coudal

re: Introductions

Jack Heath — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:40:16 GMT

I screen shot that puppy! LOL ...Seriously, direct methods of importing havn't really worked for me, but you can screen capture graphics and cut and paste text. Or just screen shot the whole page and paste it into a publisher page.

re: Introductions

Wehbeh Barghachie — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 05:32:50 GMT

I am creating a newsletter with Microsoft Publisher 2003 with Links to different URL's throughout the document. When I print the file to Adobe PDF to create a pdf file, the links I create in publisher do not work in a PDF file. Wha software package do I need to keep my publisher links when I convert to PDF? Please let me know.
Thank you

re: Introductions

Deborah — Sun, 07 May 2006 17:41:01 GMT

I really like Publisher but there are several things that have been ongoing problems.

First the weird thing with text boxes or frames. They freeze all the time and then you have to minimize the window or do a short screen/full screen switch to get the frame unstuck. It's a small thing but annoying and has been in every version of Publisher I'ver ever used up to 2000 (have yet to use XP).

Other people not being able to view Publisher files has already been addressed. Staples copy center is the only place I've found in town that will accept them. Everyone else wants a pdf. I am in the small minority that just doesn't enjoy Adobe products much. (Think everyone loves Adobe? Google the following: "i hate adobe")

I think Publisher's margins may be a little skewed. Well not the outer margins, but inner ones seem to always be a little off especially for midpoints. Centering a brochure or folded program works better in Word than Publisher. Could be user error, but I've heard this issue from other folks as well.

I think that's about it. I use it for envelopes, letterhead, flyers, calendars, brochures, our church newsletter, greeting cards, post cards, business cards...heck, is there anything I don't use it for? I doubt it!

re: Introductions

treeves — Tue, 09 May 2006 23:24:20 GMT

I too think there should be a free viewer for Publisher files.

I made a schedule for my son's baseball team in Publisher 2000 and my wife sent it to the team parents. Guess what: most of them (all of them??) couldn't open it.

re: Introductions

Honky_Tonker — Mon, 15 May 2006 07:31:15 GMT

I didn't bother reading all the comments so I am probably mirroring someone elses sentiment......MAKE A PUBLISHER VIEWER!

re: Introductions

M in Houston — Mon, 15 May 2006 17:29:34 GMT

I am most interested in combining multiple Publisher Files right now. Every time I go into Publisher, I think it is the best and the simplest of the Word and PowerPoint world, but then I run into a snag. The Pack'N'Go is not near as comprehensive at that of PPT. The combining of pages and sections is not as flexible as Word.
There must be some way to combine Publisher files. HELP??!!!!

re: Introductions

John Williams — Tue, 16 May 2006 11:10:17 GMT

TYPICAL ARROGANCE of Microsoft - expecting everybody to buy the full product in order to be able to view the occasional Publisher file that comes their way.

re: Introductions

John Williams — Wed, 17 May 2006 10:44:20 GMT

I Do Not Believe It!
Having found a friend with Publisher (v6) I took my .pub file along to read and found that version 6 is unable to read version 2 files!!

re: Introductions

Heidi — Wed, 17 May 2006 21:26:37 GMT

I am just learning to design a web page and I want my page to look just like my brochure, which is in Microsoft Publisher, and I want to put it into Microsoft Frontpage. Is there some way this is possible? Without learning HTML all at once?

re: Introductions

miloush — Fri, 19 May 2006 21:33:15 GMT

Hi!
As Angel S, I started using Publisher in 1995 when I was 10 to make school newspapers... ;-) I've got it from Microsoft for it and I love the Publisher since first use.

What Francis said about Word and Publisher (layout and text handling) is also true, I would welcome more control over the text, some breaks (column, frames) wouldn't get lost as well.
The crop and pan inside will be also fine.
Oh and I would definetly welcome the same behaviour of middle button as in other Office applications (just drag while button is down)
I luck some more fields, the total page count is a must-have.
I also agree that the "new" WordArt is really awful. :)
And what about writing text on the spline?
I would also welcome some more entries in the measurement toolbar, like space before/after paragraph.

I have to start Word every time I want to convert vector graphics into the office shapes. Couldn't that be done in Publisher too?
And I miss snapping to the shapes points, and what's worst, there is something like grid when moving/resizing/creating, however, during move of the shapes points, it is absolutely free as it should be only with the alt key.

I'm using Publisher for all my both personal and professional works which goes to the commercial printing, I've never used any other DTP product and its absolutely super to be able to participiate in futures of it.

re: Introductions

TigerScent — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 14:30:22 GMT

Its unthinkable that Microsoft does not have an up-to-date publisher viewer avialable for the versions of Publisher 'to-date'

...one would think, that as a 'professional software deveoper', this would be a initial step in looking after its consumer base and those that files are sent to (in ignorance) as .pub files....

...I came accross this 'blog' while myself searching for a .pub files viewer....in quite INSANE..., that there is nothing readily available

....next step is to try 'openoffice' to open them...

re: Introductions

Nathan — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 07:45:09 GMT

On May 15, M in Houston wrote "There must be some way to combine Publisher files. HELP??!!!!"

I completely agree. It seems so simple. I have two publications (publisher files). I just want to concatenate one to the other to make one file. In Word, this would be a simple copy/paste. In Publisher, I can't even figure out how to select more than one page at a time to copy it.

Very odd..... Is it even possible to combine files? Surely this is a common desire?

re: Introductions

Alison Scott — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 23:18:20 GMT

Please -- if not a Mac OS X native version of Publisher (which would be lovely, and I'd buy it), then something that will read and export Publisher files. I now have more precious data in .pub files than any other orphan format. My wedding invitation, my children's birth announcements, that sort of thing.

re: Introductions

miloush — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:01:45 GMT

Yes Nathan, I also agree, publication/page operations (merge, split and so on) are missing a lot!

re: Introductions

jen — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:07:38 GMT

viewer please.

re: Introductions

Adrian — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 02:38:58 GMT

It's already been said many times - Publisher desperately needs a VIEWER!!!

re: Introductions

Steve — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:35:23 GMT

Viewer is a must.... maybe an update or patch to Internet Explorer or MS Word so they can open the .pub files as read only?...

re: Introductions

Phil Peck — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 20:47:22 GMT

I have been testing out the Beta of Publisher 2007 (12). I am very disappointed in the lack of wysiswyg accuracy when creating a html page from a Publisher document. In particular , combined frames 'drift' to or from each other when you do a html save. This seems like a pretty basic operation gone awry.

re: Introductions

Angela White — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 17:12:47 GMT

Microsoft: This blog has been going on since the fall of 2005. You must provide the consumer with a Publisher VIEWER! Where are you on this? Is it even happening? You are dangerously close to losing clients.

re: Introductions

Angela White — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 17:25:58 GMT

Re: Viewer. Have any of you tried SAVE AS .tiff? tiff is tagged image file format. It may work for you. Feedback is appreciated.

re: Introductions

Colin Donnelly — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 12:28:45 GMT

So still no viewer. Are we going to get one?

re: Introductions

John — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 22:23:17 GMT

Guess how I landed on this blog?
Search: "Microsoft Publisher Viewer".
Seems this is as far as I'm going to get with the problem.

Useful tip about TIFF files - thanks Angela.
My boss just asked my to comment on a document, and emailed it to me in .pub format as he left the office.
I'm looking forward to explaining this to him over the phone at home, so that he can have my comments on the document by tomorrow morning...

Has anyone heard from Jeff (does that name ring a Bell?) by the way? Or are us users the only ones reading this blog?

re: Introductions

Martha Isenberg — Sat, 08 Jul 2006 21:04:19 GMT

I, too, landed on this blog while searching for a Publisher viewer. Microsoft chose not to bundle Publisher with their fastest-selling Office package, the Student-Teacher Edition. Result? Educators and parents everywhere are left scratching our heads while trying to view newsletters and reports done by colleagues in Publisher. A Word-compatible viewer for Publisher is the single greatest shortcoming of the low-end Office bundles, in my humble opinion. The schools are NOT going to upgrade us to the Office Professional bundle, so this problem seems destined to continue. <sigh>

re: Introductions

Rick Campbell — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 07:29:23 GMT

I create 700 newsletters a month with Publisher 2003. I merge contact information from Outlook 2003. So far, so good. After that, it gets real messy because I deliver them via the Internet in pdf format. How do I do that? I have a separate csv file with the pdf newsletter names. These are matched, partially, by the complete location of the files on the Internet that I have in Outlook contact userfield 1. I then use a third party macro program to print each newsletter separately with the proper name. Guess what I want?

Tell me the new Publisher will let me merge print to pdf and use an Outlook contact field as the file name.

rick@rereport.com

re: Introductions

adam — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 23:58:30 GMT

PLEASE produce a publisher VIEWER. Not difficult. What's holding this up?

re: Introductions

Ed — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 16:43:23 GMT

Just to add my ten cents... I agree a Publisher viewer would make life a lot easier (and searching for one is also how I found this blog)

re: Introductions

Malcolm — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 14:41:11 GMT

Me too - why is there no viewer? Don't you want people using your products?

re: Introductions

Matthew — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 03:13:21 GMT

Ditto. No Viewer. Lets all sing "Someone's talking and there's no one there. "

re: Introductions

John Kirkwood — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 17:02:01 GMT

Further to Angela's tip-off for 'human-readable' Publisher files in TIFF format, MS do actually have a web page about it at:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA011111451033.aspx
(thanks to PublisherMVPS site at http://www.publishermvps.com/ for the link on their blogs page - seems to be updated more often than Jeff's...)

re: Introductions

Brian Hendrix — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 15:27:47 GMT

I took a look at the Office 2007 Test Drive. The improvements to Publisher are rather minor. I've used Publisher since the first version and have harped on the lack of these features numerous times. Anyhow, here are my suggestions:

Put in a basic Table of Contents generator based on Text Styles

Put in a page sorter which allows moving multiple pages, deleting multiple pages, and copying multiple pages.

Insert Publication command allowing for files to be merged.

Allow different page layouts per section

re: Introductions

gary — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 18:17:05 GMT

i ended up here by googling for "publisher file viewer" as well. the tiff option is crap (at least for our particular pub project). openoffice isn't an option either. it doesn't seem to have a converter.

so add me to the "hey microsoft, how about a publisher viewer" crowd.

re: Introductions

Sandy LeonVest — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:45:01 GMT

I'm the editor (and soon-to-be publisher) of a small renewable energy newspaper (tabloid size) that began as a local newsletter...We had no problem with the layout/design etc. for publishing a newsletter...just used Word. But I may need to do it all myself and I'm only an editor - not at all experienced in any design software. Microsoft 2003 was recommended by a friend. I bought it, and now I'm afraid to even open it!

Will it work for a 20-30 pg tabloid?

What is the best tutorial for "dummies" like me?

Thank you very much!

Sandy LeonVest
Editor/StinsonSolarTimes
solareditor@fastmail.fm

re: Introductions

Clyda Carver — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 21:08:43 GMT

Try to make this short. I have four problems already; and I love Publishere (currently using 2000). I agree on the Word Art complaint --can we please have back the multi-functioning tool for this item.
Secondly, when opening new documents, I would like to see the first blanks be in the inch format. In prior version, the first blank "letter" page is 8-12x11. I believe that would be the one used by most others, as well --although I may be wrong.
Third, I just attempted to do a tent card, and finally just had to do everything on one page, flip text box, etc. I want back the ease of just hitting tent card icon and having it properly set up for printing, etc.
Very last, can we get "format borders" back, please?

re: Introductions

Jack — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 22:20:38 GMT

It's inconceivable that Publisher won't open different versions of the same program. What were the MS elves thinking? Probably overly influenced by marketing gurus who want each model to be scrapped and replaced by new purchases of the same program. Most other programs are grandfathered in, why not Publisher?

re: Introductions

Mike Marsh — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 18:09:55 GMT

I am a non-technical, hobby user and built the URL above with Publisher 2007 Beta which I like a lot.

My layman's question is this: Why won't certain links on the site open properly with Firefox browser? They open just fine with IE and Avant.

Also, why won't the Publisher nav bar work for Mac users?

Thanks for any help.

Mike Marsh
Bella Vista Fly Tyers

re: Introductions

Mike Marsh — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 18:12:41 GMT

Opppsss... url did not show up in the prior message.

It is: www.bellavistaflytyers.org

Sorry and thanks.

Mike Marsh
Bella Vista Fly Tyers

re: Introductions

Joe Christian — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 02:14:41 GMT

Not having a viewer doesn't just cost our business in resources (time wasting in asking for viewable (read: better) formats, it costs Microsoft as well. Incompatibility kills innovation.

re: Introductions

KW — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:03:01 GMT

Add me to the list of users who could use a Publisher Viewer. Without it, I see no reason to recommend Publisher to anyone, as the lack of a viewer strangles a user's potential for business promotion and I feel invalidates the usefulness of Publisher!

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 05:05:26 GMT

On a Publisher Viewer -
I have just put up a new post on the topic of a Publisher Viewer that seems to dominate the comments to this post. New post is here: http://blogs.msdn.com/jeff_bell/archive/2006/08/14/700473.aspx

- Jeff

re: Introductions

Fred — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:34:26 GMT

I was pleased to receive a birthday card as a .pub document from my daughter-in-law.

I was astounded to find that - 1) my copy of Publisher would not open it, and - 2) there is no viewer available to read it.

Apparently Micro$oft expects us to own a copy of every version of Publisher they produce or have ever produced.

Of what earthly use is a product that produces files that only the author can read??? Typical Micro$oft arrogance - and another example of why so many of us are moving to products that are marketed by people who listen to their customers, while they are still customers.

re: Introductions

Jo Blo — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 04:28:44 GMT

I came across this site while searching Free Microsoft Publisher Viewer.

It has solved the search in that there is not one.

Will now use an alternate graphics package.

Thanks.

re: Introductions

Michael — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:38:03 GMT

also can't believe MS don't have a viewer for publisher. Pls consider another voice added to the chorus.

Until then, go to

http://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp

to convert your .pub into .pdf -> at least to read those inscrutable .pub docs...

re: Introductions

Craig — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 16:05:00 GMT

Lets stand up and be heard. we want a Microsoft Publisher Viewer!

re: Introductions

Andrew — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:58:09 GMT

As a small time /occassional user I can't find how to Merge data into a "Word Art" field rather than a text field.

Is this possible? If not it, it sure would be a handy feature.

As I am in Retail Sales area I use Publisher to produce "Special Tickets" for my shelves. As I can't determine the final length/size of fields such as Description or Price, putting them in Word Art means they will at least be auto re-sized to fit.

Ciao

re: Introductions

Heather Dixon — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 03:02:41 GMT

I love Publisher. It with the use of Photoshop for photo restoration etc is wonderful. Use it to publish Family Tree books. I downloaded and paid for deskPDF and all I have to do is swish the files over the icon and it turns them into PDFs, single or multiple pages. Can email or whatever. Views and prints well. $20 USA.
Heather

re: Introductions

Anna — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 13:33:47 GMT

I have just discovered Publisher after many years of work with QuarkXPress... Seeing how close the Office packages are, why not offer the footnote facility that we all take for granted in Word also in Publisher? it would make our lives much easier - especially considering that Word is awful for developing complex document, containing photos, text, graphics and captions.
Thanks! Anna

re: Introductions

technochrista — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 18:37:27 GMT

I have been beta testing Publisher 2007 for several months. I am slightly diappointed. Why doesn't the program have ribbons like the other Office 7 applications. As well, I really like the new picture editing options and word art options in PowerPoint. Why haven't these been included with Publisher? Can we expect to see them in the new release?

re: Introductions

RickO — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 19:13:31 GMT

We have an office support business in Montana and one of our services is color printing, either from original prints or electronic media. Our head office will not buy the full version of Publisher because we are not in the business of "producing" documents, only "re-producing". Due to not having a Publisher Viewer, we have to tell our clients not to bother. We lose clients and they lose faith in the universal acceptance of the product.

re: Introductions

mike — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 09:21:59 GMT

tell something about the history of Microsoft Publisher.

re: Introductions

peace — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:32:44 GMT

how to open a publisher 97 file in publisher 2003?any workaround for this? any other tool can open the publisher 97 file?

Thanks

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 02:07:47 GMT

All Publisher 97 files should open into Publisher 2003 (and into Publisher 2007). The exception is a Publisher file that we believe is corrupted, which we may choose not to load to protect you against malicious files.

Files saved by Publisher 2.0 (a pre-Windows 95 version of Pub) are no longer supported by Publisher 2003 and Publisher 2007.

If you have a Publisher file saved by Publisher 3.0 or newer that Publisher 2003 or 2007 will not open, we are interested in taking a look. The most direct way to get us this file is through the Publisher 2007 Connect site:

http://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=227

re: Introductions

Lynda Nguyen — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:08:35 GMT

Holidays and greeting and thank yous birthdays

re: Introductions

Julie T. — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 10:53:44 GMT

I've been having a love affair with Publisher since 1997. We took our relationship up to 2000, but couldn't move any further ahead. We tried to move along to versions 2002 and 2003, but the road became too bumpy. Every conversation ended in a knock-down, drag out fight. The bugs were so serious in 2002 that I had to reformat my hard drive in order to function. The management of clip art in the newer versions was dismal. Word Art had declined miserably. The charm found in 2000 was gone.

So in reverting to 2000 we have been able to recapture the original magic. But I still long for some new jewelry and to go to the opera now and then. Please help breathe some new excitement into our relationship. We'd love to experience the following in a new version:

1. Spice up Word Art like in 2000

2. Provide a viewer for the poor souls that don't have Pub

3. Add in clip art / picture editing similar to Powerpoint's (grouping/ungrouping, recoloring, etc.)

4. Improve clip art management more like 2000 does

5. Include new clip art selections (And don't think that the Microsoft online clip art gallery wil do. It's b-o-r-i-n-g.)

6. Utilize a formal focus group of hard-core users to provide feature/function requirement specifications. And then listen to us.

Publisher and I want to stay together forever, but every relationship needs a shot in the arm now and then. Please say you'll help keep us together.

re: Introductions

Heather — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:43:04 GMT

With 2003 I have a problem with changing page numbers in a file. No problem with changing pages on the document but when I try to print, the printer dialogue for print range -

Pages From - always reverts to the 1 to whatever, or the previous numbers from an upgraded 2000 file. There was no problem with 2000. Awkward when you want tp print a couple of pages from the middle of a large file.

Heather

re: Introductions

Heather — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 04:43:06 GMT

With 2003 I have a problem with changing page numbers in a file. No problem with changing pages on the document but when I try to print, the printer dialogue for print range -

Heather

re: Introductions

John — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:58:23 GMT

Jeff - The files since version 3.0 should open but Microsoft has broken Publisher. I have had problems with all file versions except 2003 lately. In true Microsoft tradition I can tell you what the fix is, just give me a call.......Please have your credit card ready, there will be a charge for the call.

BTW - I really did find a fix!

re: Introductions

John — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 03:50:08 GMT

We want a viewer!

The link below did work... after +1 of searching, it solved my dilemna in less than 60 seconds.

http://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp

Too bad microsoft can't figure this out!

re: Introductions

himanshu — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:27:21 GMT

This relase of microsoft publisher may not be earth shattering to english speaking people, but for people who use languages like Hindi, Thai...etc, this the probably the only desktop publishing software that enables them to create documents using OpenType fonts.

That means, people can just copy paste unicode text to create documents.

_ Applications like Quark, InDesign, Corel Draw ...do not support complex languages like Hindi, Thai etc. _

So, the only option for creating documents in these languages is to use english fonts that _look_ like Hindi / Thai characters.

So, no easy copy pasting unicode text ... :(

But, in publissher... its a snap !!!!

This shows how dedicated Microsoft has been, in bringing unicode to reality. ;)

re: Introductions

John Malin — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:38:42 GMT

Will I be able to update my Publisher 2003 version to 2007 version? If so when will I b able to purchase it?

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 04:35:47 GMT

John -

Yes. You can upgrade Publisher 2003 to 2007. If you bought Publisher 2003 very recently, you may qualify for the Technology Guarantee program. This provides free or nearly-free upgrades for people who bought Office 2003 since late October 2006. Details are here: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/techguarantee/worldwide.mspx

If you bought Publisher 2003 earlier, then you are looking at upgrade pricing. Details on pricing, including for upgrades are here: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101754511033.aspx. In the US, Publisher estimated retail price is $169, upgrade is $99.95.

Office 2007 should become available at retail in January in our biggest markets, with other markets following closely behind.

re: Introductions

Agnes — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 06:55:12 GMT

I have Microsoft Publisher 97 and then added 2000. I recently created some invitaions and several other projects and when I went in to print some invitaions I can't locate them. Usally I just would click on open existing publication and all my saved files show up and I click on the file I need. All of a sudden they are gone. Please help me someone. I have my parents 50th invitations on there, plus so many things I can't bear to lose. Can anybody help me, or advise me where to find help? I am a computer novice and really am freaking out about losing all my saved files. This is the first computer program I learned how to use on my own and I am be very nice to myself saying this. Please help.

re: Introductions

Jeff — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:59:45 GMT

Like everyone else I was disappointed (but not shocked) that Micro$soft did not have a viewer for Publisher.

The link provided by others, http://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp

was a savior

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 04:16:22 GMT

Agnes - Just wanted to quickly reassure you that this does not sound like your files are deleted. I believe the problem here is that the default place on disk that we open for Open and Save changed between the two versions of Publisher.

Best place to get tips on where to look for your old files, if you haven't found them yet, is in the Publisher newsgroup. We have a super-helpful set of users and MVPs there who should be able to help. You can get to the Publisher newsgroup here: http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.publisher&lang=en&cr=US

re: Introductions

Jason — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:40:16 GMT

My office has been using Publisher to put together a publication but we ran into trouble printing. There were 2 main issues:

1. The document would not print as it appeared on the screen. Pie charts would shrink or grow, text would change size, font, and spacing.

2. Not many documents can be printed at the same time. If the formatting did stay intact to print, only 20 or so copies would get out before the formatting completely fell through the floor. (text became symbols and the like).

So my question is, are there known printer compatibility issues with MS Publisher 2002/2003? is the problem with publisher, or with the printer (HP 8550)? Any light you could shed on this would be appreciated.

re: Introductions

Lucy — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 17:31:26 GMT

I have used the photo transparency option to apply a 'washed-out' effect to a photo underlaying text. It looks rather nifty BUT when I convert to PDF the transparency doesb't register and the photo is full strength, making my text unreadable. Why isn't PDF reading the parameters I have set for the graphics in Publisher? Is there a cheat to get around this, short of scanning the washed out photo and then using it as a template that way so it is embedded?

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:25:41 GMT

Lucy - there shouldn't be any special tricks required to make this work. With Publisher 2007 RTM and the MS Save as PDF add-in, this works fine for me. Whether I insert a picture and use the wash-out effect on it, or insert a rectangle, put a picture fill on it and make the fill partly transparent, I get results in the PDF that match both what I expect and what I see in the Publisher design view and print preview.

If this is still not working for you, please submit a bug with the .pub and .pdf files attached through our Connect site: http://connect.microsoft.com/site/sitehome.aspx?SiteID=227

You may also get some good tips in this area asking a question in our public newsgroup where we have a very responsive and knowledgeable set of MVPs and other users:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.publisher&lang=en&cr=US

re: Introductions

Gail Estrin — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:38:48 GMT

I tried the Publisher Office 2007 Beta - when it was first released. I also teach all your software.

I use Publisher for email newsletters - it is a real chore to send many pages as an email newsletter. (I use file/page setup / convert to a web page and then change the web-page size so I can add more pages) ...

Have you come up with an easier way OR made any changes to send 3 or more newsletter pages as a "viewable" email ..(my clients don't like attachments or pdf's) ... and can they be printed off as pages from an email message. (right now they can't be printed)

Any help here would be appreciated ... if you still can't do this ... any suggestions as to what program I should be buying that will let me merge my viewable / printable email newsletters (not attachments) from Outlook?

Thanks so much in advance.

Gail Estrin

Home Computer Tutor

mytutor@shaw.ca

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:50:48 GMT

Gail -

I think the issue here is not so much a Publisher one as an email one. I don't know of a standard email format that does what you are describing: that is multi-page, viewable in most email clients and not an attachment.

Instead, there are three ways that people solve this problem: with an attachment, repurposing content to one long email page, or with a digest email that acts as a single-page table of contents to a web site, which may be multi-page. Publisher 2007 can help you with the first two of these options. You could also accomplish the third in Publisher using the email and web authoring features, but we don't particularly automate the creation of the links between the two.

There are two new features with Publisher 2007 that may be of interest to you, although neither meets the strict set of critieria you describe. If you have a lot of investment in the design of a multi-page print newsletter, you will be best off converting it to a PDF or XPS file and attaching it to mail. (Grab the PDF or XPS add-in to enable this.)

If an attachment is out of the question, and you are starting from a print newsletter, Publisher 2007 can help you repurpose your content into an email newsletter. To do this, you would open your print newsletter and Change Template to an email template. Publisher will analyse the content and do a best fit into the new template. This likely won't get you all the way, and won't move over specific design choices you made on the print side, but it should get you much of the way along the path to building an email newsletter from your print newsletter content.

re: Introductions

gestrin@shaw.ca — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:02:03 GMT

Thanks for your feedback Jeff.

I will try your option three ...changing the print newsletter to an email template ... (i just tried it - cool feature in Pub 2007) ...

Will a plain "email button" (not an email attachment button) be available in the released version? I just tried to find one in the beta & it wasn't there.

Also if I save it as an email template & then send it as an email ... will I be able to print it? (I couldn't do a test ...because the button is missing.)

Thanks,

Gail Estrin

re: Introductions

Ram Chandran — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:16:42 GMT

I have been exploring possibility of using Publisher 2007 to author email letters. Most of them will be one page mail, with a few graphics.

I used to design theese with Front page earlier and use them as stationery. The new Office 2007 - outlook has limitations in html files. I downloaded the new validation tool from Microsoft for use with Expression Web designer.

I think Publisher may offer a faster authoring environment. But with so many different options available from one source - Microsoft, it is confusing. Which one is more suitable for sending html files by Outlook.

Is there any place where I can compare the options?

Please let me know as early as possible. My email is: chandran@ghicenter.com

Thanks,

re: Introductions

Eddie — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 20:30:21 GMT

PROGRAM: Publisher 2003

PC SETUP: XP SP2, 512 MB RAM

PROBLEM: Publisher refuses to open some PUB files...or if it does, it's in "Safe Mode," which cuts me off from any convert-to-PDF functionality whatsoever. Other, similar PUB files, it will open just fine and let me convert to PDF.

Sometimes I'll get an "unexpected error/need to close" message; more often than not, Publisher will just quit.

As for which files it will/won't open and when it will/won't open a given PUB file...I have not been able to identify any patterns or common threads. It's *totally* random, from one day to the next.

One day, a file will open; the next, it will not. Yesterday, I had a problem file that alternated between opening and crashing; today, I was able to open it once. When I tried to re-open it, it would not. Now I cannot get it to open at all.

Co-workers who use Publisher do not have this problem, so I doubt it's a problem with the file(s) themselves. The PUB files are very large in size (just under 10MB), but again, no one else is having problems opening them, just me. They live on my hard drive, so it can't be a network issue.

I have been battling this instability bug for months now, and it is the main reason I absolutely DESPISE Publisher!!!! Unfortunately, co-workers use it too much for me to recommend that we dump this load for some other program entirely ~ otherwise, I would've done that long ago.

Can anyone please clue me in on why this program is being such a drama queen about opening files?

Thank you.

eddie D0T mcham A+ uthct D0T edu

re: Introductions

Iain — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 07:15:26 GMT

Further to others' remarks:

Back in 1995/97, a Publisher viewer would have been useful. I think by now it has passed its use-by date. Now, I think you're on the right track - you need to be able to quickly, easily AND WITH FULL OPTIONS (ie resolution, compression, etc) create PDF documents directly from Publisher without ANY add-on software. This is even a necessity for all Office, although if absolutely necessary you could limit the full PDF options to just Publisher.

But the problem for me is, if you build this into Publisher "12" that's bugger all use, because when I open my Pub97 documents in Pub2003 they're all screwed, so what use is being able to convert that mess to PDF??

To be honest - ditch Publisher, start again. It's always been useless unless you plan to print to the computer on the desk next to you, and that's no-one these days.

re: Introductions

... — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 14:54:05 GMT

mmm.. nice design, I must say..

re: Introductions

Glynes — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:02:19 GMT

I have publisher 2000 and I have been using it fine for ever, I have jsut tried to use it and it won't load any brochure templates I get a message Publisher cannot complet eht operation any help would be appreciated

re: Introductions

Jeff Bell — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:04:39 GMT

Eddie -

Hard to know what is causing Publisher's "drama" in your case. The best people to troubleshoot this are either Microsoft Customer Support, or the Publisher public newsgroup.

If you want to provide us the files through our Microsoft Connect site, we'll take a look, but this is more of a bug reporting than support channel, so while we would try to learn about potential bugs from your report, it isn't necessarily the best way to get the issues on your machine resolved.

There are links to Connect and the newgroup in many of my comments above, so I won't repeat them here.

re: Introductions

... — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:06:55 GMT

Chi ha fatto questo? E un buon posto per trovare le informazioni importanti!:)

re: Introductions

Jerry — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 15:06:48 GMT

I have Publisher files 2.0 that I use to be able to open in Publisher 2002 but no longer after receiving a Windows XP update.

re: Introductions

unknown — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:20:37 GMT

You need to learn to spell !!!!!

re: Introductions

User — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 18:31:34 GMT

Yay for PDFOnline.com converter.

re: Introductions

Balasubram — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:07:10 GMT

Like Himanshu, I like Publisher (2003) because it is the only DTP Software in the market that supports Unicode Hindi.

I can type out a Hindi document in Word and produce neatly done booklets, posters, brochures, etc., in Publisher that are ready to print. No converting/retyping the text to a code-page font, proof-reading, the retyped thing and getting it done in another software.

Publisher meshes seemlessly with Word for Unicode Hindi.

I am a recent convert to Publisher (2003) and have been using it only since the last few days, but the support Publisher has for Unicode Hindi has won me over. Since Indesign, coreldraw, pagemaker, QuarkExpress etc., have no support for Unicode Hindi, Publisher has a great future in India among small businessmen, NGOs and government offices.

I faced one problem with Publisher and could not figure out how to solve it. If experts in this forum can help me out, I will be very grateful.

Since Publisher is still not well known among DTP joints in India, while taking a finished product to the printer, I convert it to a postscript file and then open it in Coreldraw.

The problem I am facing is whenever I do this, the postscript image of the page open in portrait form, even when the page layout in the original Publisher file is landscape. I have to correct this manually in CorelDraw which is a bit of a nuisance for large documents having scores of pages.

Is there any way to correct this?

power point introductions for photos

power point introductions for photos — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:16:07 GMT

PingBack from http://jamari.freemedianewschannel.info/powerpointintroductionsforphotos.html

On Microsoft Publisher and more : Introductions

Relationship Compatibility — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:36:11 GMT

What about Publisher? A few blogs have started wondering when we were going to speak up on our plans. That’s my job (among other hats I wear) and it’s time to start. We do have an exciting Publisher release in the pipeline as part of Office “12".