A lot of people ask me whether it is possible to get Microsoft publisher for the Macintosh computer, or whether there is an equivalent piece of software. Unfortunately the answer is no, there has never been a Macintosh version of publisher, and this article tries to explain why, and what the options are.
Microsoft Publisher is a very popular piece of software for Windows computers. It fills of a gap on Windows computers because Microsoft Office does not have the capability to do page layout like Apple Pages does. As you think about more alternatives to Microsoft publisher for a window computer, Adobe PageMaker and InDesign are too expensive and complex for most everyday users. So when people want to do a simple newsletter, but one that’s too complicated for Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher fills the gap nicely. Microsoft Word documents tend to look pretty bland whereas publisher allows you to spruce them up a bit.
Microsoft Publisher 2007 offers all sorts of tools, including shortcuts keys for navigation and formatting, to help you turn text and graphics into published material. And, before you publish, you need to design your publication and talk to your printing service about the technical aspects. The most up-to-date version of Microsoft Publisher is always available with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Publisher 2019 is the latest classic version of Publisher. It is a one-time purchase that does receive updates. Previous versions include Publisher 2016, Publisher 2013, Publisher 2010, Publisher 2007, and Publisher 2003. What exactly is a Microsoft Publisher equivalent for Mac? There are certain tools that professional full-time designers use to create books, brochures, and printed advertising. Generally, those apps take hundreds of hours to get a grasp of and, even after you know them quite well, demand highly manual approach.
Microsoft publisher fills a gap on Windows computers that does not exist in OSX
Now let’s think about the Macintosh computer, there is no such gap. Apple Pages can do pretty much everything Publisher can do! So a Macintosh user has no need for Microsoft Publisher. Apple Pages can produce some quite spectacular documents very simply, and unless you are a professional publisher there’s really not the need to step up to PageMaker or InDesign. This does not really leave a market for Microsoft Publisher on the Macintosh computer, except for Macintosh users to be able to read a publisher document that was created on a PC! So while this would be a nice convenience for Macintosh users, I don’t imagine it is a large market for Microsoft Publisher.
Microsoft Word is a different story though. Microsoft Word was first released for Apple Computer back in 1984. Microsoft Word is a professional word-processing application that in many ways is superior to Apple pages, and was superior to Apple works and Claris Works. If you are writing large or complex documents there is and always has been a huge market for Microsoft Word on the Apple Computer.
If you are waiting for a version of Microsoft Publisher to appear for Macintosh computer, I would not be holding your breath.
If you want to access a Microsoft publisher document there are a couple of options.
The first one is to use Libre Office. Libre Office it is a free piece of software available for OS X. It can open a Microsoft Publisher file. They haven’t quite nailed it because there are quite often formatting issues ( it’s a bit like trying to open a complex Word document in Pages) but most of the time you can see what’s in the document and grab the parts that you need.
The other option is to use one of these solutions I have described in this article. This will give you a PDF version of the Microsoft Publisher document that retains all its original formatting. You can’t really do anything with the PDF version unless you own Adobe Pagemaker, but you will be able to accurately view and print the Microsoft publisher document.
Looking for some of the Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac? Well, there are so many users out there who often leave Windows and switch to the Mac environment. Even it is extremely easy to do so. Just buy a Mac Desktop and Laptop, and you are all done.
However, switching to Mac from Windows sometimes becomes a pathetic job for many. Because they are not used to the Mac environment. The experience becomes worst when you do not get your favorite applications like Microsoft Word on Mac.
No, we are not saying that you cannot get Microsoft Word on your Mac computer. Of course, you can, Just purchase Microsoft word for Mac and install it.
But yes, That is a paid task. However what if we tell you that, there are some of the best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac are available on the internet?
Would not you want to try them out?
Of course, you will. Hence we have made a list of the Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac users. So let’s just go ahead and head into the topic
10 Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac Users
1. Google Docs
First of all, we have Google Docs, and we are sure you have heard about it. It is one of the free Microsoft word alternatives that you can try out.
The user interface of the Google Docs looks quite similar to Microsoft Word and comes with lots of features.
The Google Docs allows you to share your docs with your co-workers and let them make changes. Also, you will be able to work offline.
Moreover, you can even import your existing Word files to Google Docs. Plus you can export Google Docs file to .doc format and use them on Microsoft Word without any issues.
Even in a few cases, Google Docs is far better than Microsoft Word. Like it offers you lot’s of readymade templates for you which you can use to make your projects instant ready and so on.
2. LibreOffice
You can also try using LibreOffice for Mac. LibreOffice is one of the popular yet the best open-source office for Mac and other operating systems.
LibreOffice comes with a friendly user interface which will not take you too long to understand. Also, the best part of the software is that it is extremely lightweight compared to Microsoft Word.
Furthermore, unlike Google Docs it offers you a completely offline solution. Just download and install the application on your Mac and you are good to go.
Also, you can easily import your Microsoft Word Files to LibreOffice and get your done job. There is even an online sync feature included in the LibreOffice which lets you sync your files to Google Drive or One Drive.
However, like Google Docs, there is no collaborating feature included in the LibreOffice. But the software does have an amazing LibreOffice help forum.
3. Office Online
Just in case, if you cannot think about any other alternatives than Microsoft Word. Then you can try out the Office Online.
Office Online is similar to Google Docs, and it comes with the same user interface as Microsoft Word. This means that instead of installing Microsoft word on your Mac you are going to use it online.
You can easily import your offline docs to office online and export them. As well as you can share them with co-workers, or save it in the One Drive.
However Office Online has only limited features, and it is not as functional as the Google Docs. But as long as your main needs are to creating and editing a doc. This will definitely make your job easy.
4. Quip
If your only goal is to edit your Doc files with ease. Or you just want to create a Doc file. Then Quip can be a great option for you.
Quip is not a fully functional alternative to Microsoft Word. But it will do some of the basic jobs easily. It is an online platform something similar to Google Docs and Office online. But it does not offer too many features.
Overall, the user interface of the app is pretty amazing and user friendly. It does not have any advanced tools though, so office users may not like it.
But Quip allows you to collaborate with, and it is absolutely free to use.
5. WPS Office 2016
The WPS Office 2016 is also one of the best Microsoft office alternatives for mac. This application is completely free to use also it looks like the Microsoft Word.
Hence, as a result, you do not have to struggle in understanding how to use WPS Office 2016. With the help of this application, you will easily be able to use all the features that Microsoft Word has.
Plus you can even import Microsoft Word Files to this software and edit them. As well as files exported from WPS Office 2016 can be used on the Microsoft word.
Also, it comes with the WPS cloud which is also a free service provided by the software. The WPS cloud comes with 1GB of storage space and lets you sync your doc files.
6. ThinkFree Office
ThinkFree Office is also a best free word processor for Mac. However, this one is not free, but you can get a trail for 2 months.
Talking about the ThinkFree Office, well it looks exactly like the Microsoft Word and comes with all the features. Hence, as a result, you do not have to struggle to understand the application.
Furthermore, the app also offers a solution for your smartphone devices, or you can try out ThinkFree online. Also, the ThinkFree office is cost-effective compared to the other office solutions available in the market.
7. NeoOffice
The NeoOffice is also one of the Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac that you can try out. This application is based on OpenOffice and LibreOffice which makes it the best open source office for mac.
With the help of the NeoOffice, you will be able to edit, view and save your Doc files. Also, it is completely free to use.
However, this tool lacks some of the advanced features. But as long as your main purpose is to get done with the basic jobs. The software will be the best option that you can try out.
8. Apple iWork
Why are you looking for Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac?
When Apple is offering its own solution which is the Apple iWork. With the help of the iWork, you will be able to do all the task that you usually do with Microsoft Word.
It offers you a wide range of features that you can try out. Also, it offers you iCloud Integration. Moreover, iWork can easily read and edit your Microsoft word docs as well as it can export the files into Doc File.
9. ONLYOFFICE
The ONLYOFFICE is another open source office for mac that you can try out. The application is free to download and use.However, the ONLYOFFICE is made for the Bussiness users who basically deals with SAAS application. But it can also be used for basic jobs.
Moreover, the ONLYOFFICE has some limited features which let you edit, view and do some other jobs. Plus you will get the cloud option.
How To Use Microsoft Publisher
10. ZOHO
Microsoft Publisher For Apple Mac
In the end, we have the Zoho. This one is also one of the Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac. However, this application is completely cloud-based and made for the SAAS applications. Also, most of the features of the platform are paid.
With the help of the Zoho, you will be able to do all the basic jobs easily. As well as it offers you lots of other features that you can to get done with your job.
Publisher For Mac
So that was all for the Best Microsoft Word Alternatives for Mac. Now it’s your call to go ahead and have a look at these alternatives Microsoft Office and see which one is working the best. Also for any questions, feel free to comment below.