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How to Download Microsoft Publisher for Free - The Ultimate Guide

December 7, 2023 2.9K views

Unlock the full potential of Microsoft Publisher without spending a dime! Our comprehensive guide, 'How to Download Microsoft Publisher for Free,' provides clear, step-by-step instructions designed for users of all levels.

Whether you're a seasoned content writer or just starting out, this guide is your ticket to maximizing the capabilities of Publisher from WPS Office.

What Is Microsoft Publisher?

Microsoft Publisher logo

 

Microsoft Publisher is a desktop publishing (DTP) application from Microsoft. Unlike Microsoft Word, which is primarily a word processing application, Publisher focuses on page layout and graphic design. It is included in higher-end editions of Microsoft Office, such as Microsoft 365 Personal and Family, Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Premium, and Microsoft Office Professional.

Microsoft Publisher menu tab

 

Microsoft Publisher offers a wide range of features for creating professional-looking publications, including:

  • Templates: Publisher includes a wide variety of templates for creating common types of publications, such as newsletters, brochures, flyers, invitations, and greeting cards. You can also create your own custom templates.

  • Page layout tools: Publisher provides a variety of tools for controlling the layout of your publications, such as page margins, columns, and text boxes. You can also add borders, watermarks, and other design elements to your pages.

  • Graphics tools: Publisher includes a variety of graphics tools for adding images, shapes, and other visual elements to your publications. You can also create and edit your own vector graphics using Publisher's built-in drawing tools.

  • Text formatting tools: Publisher provides a variety of text formatting tools for controlling the appearance of your text, such as fonts, font sizes, and colors. You can also create and edit your own text styles.

  • Mail merge: Publisher allows you to merge your publication data with a mailing list to create personalized copies for each recipient.

  • Commercial printing: Publisher can save your publications in a variety of formats that are compatible with commercial printing services.


Microsoft Publisher is included in higher-end editions of Microsoft Office, which are available on a subscription basis. 


The following table shows the current pricing for Microsoft 365 plans that include Publisher:

Plan

Price per month

Price per year

Microsoft 365 Personal

$6.99

$69.99

Microsoft 365 Family

$9.99

$99.99

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

$12.50

$150.00

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

$22.00

$264.00

Microsoft Office Professional

$249.99 (one-time purchase)



Pros and cons of Microsoft Publisher:

Feature

Pros

Cons

Ease of use

Easy to use, even for beginners

Not as powerful as some other DTP apps

Templates

Wide variety of templates for common types of publications

Can be slow to work with large files

Design tools

Variety of tools for controlling page layout, graphics, and text formatting

Not as widely used as some other Microsoft Office apps

Mail merge

Merge publication data with a mailing list to create personalized copies


Commercial printing

Save publications in formats that are compatible with commercial printing services


Pricing

Affordable subscription pricing


If you need to create professional-looking publications on a regular basis, but don't want to invest in a high-end DTP application, Microsoft Publisher is a good option. It is easy to use and offers a wide range of features for creating visually appealing and informative publications.

How to Download and Install Microsoft Publisher for Free


To Download and Install Microsoft Publisher for Free

Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Publisher download page.

Microsoft Publisher official website

 

Step 2: Choose a location to save the installer file and click Save.

Step 3: Review the installation options and click Install then Close it.

Step 4: Microsoft Publisher is now installed on your device and you can start using it to create professional-looking publications.

Tips:

  • Make sure you have enough disk space available to install Microsoft Publisher.

  • If you are prompted to restart your device after installation, do so.

  • If you have any problems installing or using Microsoft Publisher, you can visit the Microsoft support website for assistance.

Can I Use Microsoft Publisher for Free?

You can use Microsoft Publisher for free for one month. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Go to the Microsoft Publisher download page.

Enter Official website

 

Step 2: Click the Try Free button.

Select Try for Free

 

Step 3: If you have a Microsoft account, sign in.

Sign in Microsoft account

 

Step 4: Enter your desired payment information and click Start your free trial.

Step 5: Once your free trial has started, you can download and install Microsoft Publisher.

Tips:

  • During your free trial, you will have access to all of the features of Microsoft Publisher.

  • After your free trial ends, you will need to subscribe to Microsoft 365 to continue using Microsoft Publisher.

  • If you cancel your Microsoft 365 subscription, you will still be able to view and edit your Microsoft Publisher publications, but you will not be able to create new ones.

How to Edit Microsoft Publisher Files for Free with WPS Office

WPS Office logo

 

WPS Office is a free and open-source office suite that includes Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, and PDF. It is compatible with most of the file formats used in Microsoft Publisher, including PUB, DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX. WPS Office also includes a number of features that make it a good choice for editing Microsoft Publisher files, such as:

  • Free PDF editing tools: WPS Office allows you to edit PDF files without having to purchase a separate PDF editor. You can add and remove text, images, and other objects from PDF files, as well as create new PDF files from scratch.

  • Delicate Office templates: WPS Office includes a built-in template library with a wide variety of free templates for creating professional-looking publications. You can use these templates as a starting point for your own projects, or simply customize them to meet your specific needs.

  • File compatibility: WPS Office is compatible with most of the file formats used in Microsoft Publisher, so you can easily open and edit your existing Publisher files. You can also save your Publisher files in WPS Office formats so that you can share them with others who do not have Microsoft Publisher installed.


To edit Microsoft Publisher files for free with WPS Office:

Step 1: Download and install WPS Office.

Install WPS Official from official website

 

Step 2: Open the Microsoft Publisher file that you want to edit.

Step 3: Make your desired changes to the file.

Step 4: Save the file in a WPS Office format or in a Microsoft Publisher format.

Here are some additional key features of WPS Office:

  • Free download and free to use: WPS Office is available for free download on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

  • Cross-platform compatibility: WPS Office files can be opened and edited on any device that has WPS Office installed.

  • Cloud storage integration: WPS Office integrates with popular cloud storage services, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. This makes it easy to save your files to the cloud and access them from anywhere.

  • Collaboration features: WPS Office includes a number of collaboration features that make it easy to work on documents with others in real time.

Overall, WPS Office is a good choice for editing Microsoft Publisher files for free. It is easy to use, includes a variety of useful features, and is compatible with most of the file formats used in Microsoft Publisher.

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FAQs

Is Microsoft Publisher available for Mac?

No, Microsoft Publisher is not available for Mac. It is a Windows-only application. However, if you're using a Mac, you can explore alternatives like Apple's Pages, Adobe InDesign, or desktop publishing software like Scribus. Additionally, you can also consider using online platforms like Canva or Lucidpress for similar functionality. If you're specifically interested in a Mac-compatible office suite, you might want to explore options like Microsoft Office for Mac or the open-source LibreOffice suite.


Are there alternatives to Microsoft Publisher?

There are a number of alternatives to Microsoft Publisher, including Adobe InDesign, Scribus, Affinity Publisher, Canva, and Marq.

  • Adobe InDesign is a powerful desktop publishing application used by professional designers.

  • Scribus is a free and open-source desktop publishing application similar to Adobe InDesign.

  • Affinity Publisher is a paid desktop publishing application that offers a good balance between features and price.

  • Canva is a cloud-based graphic design platform that offers templates for creating simple publications.

  • Marq is a free online desktop publishing platform that offers templates for creating simple publications.


Is it legal to download Microsoft Publisher for free?

No, downloading Microsoft Publisher for free from unofficial sources is not legal and may infringe on copyright laws. This guide focuses on legitimate methods to access Publisher, such as trial versions or through valid subscriptions. Always ensure you obtain software through authorized channels to stay compliant and avoid legal issues.

Summary

Discover how to get Microsoft Publisher for free with our guide. Learn about the benefits and steps to download it without cost. See how WPS Office can enhance your content creation. The guide covers features, pricing, and easy installation, including a one-month trial. Plus, find out about using WPS Office as a free alternative for editing Publisher files.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.