Microsoft Publisher is one of many tools available to Carleton employees to create visual publications like flyers, magazines, brochures, and more. Unfortunately, Microsoft will no longer provide support for this software after October of 2026. That feels like a long way off, but you can start preparing now to ensure a smooth transition.
Background
Microsoft Office includes a suite of applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and more. Over time, Microsoft releases new versions of suites such as Office 2019, 2021, and 2024. With new releases, older software reach their end-of-life (EOL), meaning the developer or vendor has stopped supporting the product by no longer providing security patches, feature updates, or technical assistance.
Office 2019 reached its end of life on October 14, 2025, and Office 2021 will soon meet the same fate on October 13, 2026. The remaining releases, Office 2024 and Microsoft 365, no longer include Publisher as part of their product suite. If you continue to use products that have reached EOL, you may be more vulnerable to security risks or experience more problems with the software.
What You Need To Do
If you are still using Office 2021 or earlier (for macOS or Windows), you should upgrade to a newer version. Office 2024 is available via K1000 and Jamf Self Service. If you have used Publisher in the past, we recommend transitioning to a replacement application such as Adobe Express, Adobe InDesign, or Canva:
- Adobe Express is available to all Carleton users and has an intuitive interface and hundreds of ready-to-use templates.
- Adobe InDesign is best for work that requires very precise desktop publishing, but it has a steep learning curve. InDesign requires a license for Adobe Creative Suite.
- Canva offers a free, web-based option with an intuitive interface and template options as well. If your office joins Carleton’s Enterprise account ($100 annually per user), you will have access to additional features including Carleton brand kits. Please reach out to College Communications if you are interested in joining Carleton’s Canva Enterprise account.
Questions?
Contact the ITS Helpdesk (x5999)!