Changes in Publisher 2010 (for IT pros)

The ribbon

The ribbon, part of the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface (UI), was designed to optimize key Publisher scenarios to make them easier to use. The ribbon in Publisher 2010 provides quicker access to all the commands and allows for easier future additions and customizations. You can also customize the ribbon. For example, you can create custom tabs and custom groups to contain frequently used commands. To help maximize the note-taking space on the page, the ribbon can also be hidden while writing.

Backstage view

The Microsoft Office Backstage is part of the Fluent UI and a companion feature to the ribbon. The Backstage view, which can be accessed from the File tab, helps you find frequently used features for managing your Publisher 2010 files. (The File tab replaces the Microsoft Office Button and File menu that were used in earlier releases of Microsoft Office.) The Backstage is used to manage files and the data about the files, such as creating and saving files, inspecting for hidden metadata or personal information, and setting file options.

Simplified, cleaner workspace

In the new workspace, users will see object boundaries only when they want them (for example, when they pause on or select an object), and alignment guides when they need them (for example, as they drag an object). Users can also move from page to page quickly by using the new page navigation pane, which displays single-page or double-page thumbnails.

Integrated print and preview experience

Print and Print Preview are integrated so that it is easier for users to get a more accurate view of what their publications will look like when they are printed. This includes the ability to make print adjustments while viewing the effect of the changes in a large preview of their publication. Users can view multiple pages at the same time, view page boundaries, page numbers, and sheet rulers while in print preview, and even view a simulation of a two-sided document as if it were held up to a light — to see the front and back at the same time, as the publication will look when printed.

Save file as .pdf or .xps

Users can save files in the .pdf or .xps file format. This feature can be blocked by using Group Policy. Also, .pdf files can be password-protected for an added layer of security.

64-bit edition

Publisher 2010 64-bit edition can be installed on Windows 64-bit operating systems, and is backward-compatible with other versions of Publisher. Users can open, edit, and save any Publisher 2003, Office Publisher 2007, Publisher 2010 32-bit edition, or Publisher 2010 64-bit edition file on a computer that is running either a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows operating system. For more information, see 64-bit editions of Office 2010.

Improved picture technology

Users can more easily work with pictures in their publications with the following picture technology improvements:

• Cropping   Users can rotate and resize pictures, crop them into non-rectangular shapes, and preview the images while keeping the picture in the desired size, shape, and location.

• Replacing pictures   Users can replace pictures by drag-and-drop, swap two pictures in a single operation, and paste pictures copied outside from Publisher into a placeholder in Publisher.

• Using picture placeholders   Users can maintain placeholder dimensions when a picture is inserted. For example, pictures either too small or too large for a placeholder are automatically resized.

• Add captions   Users can now add captions to their pictures, choosing from a gallery of caption designs and layouts, and make changes easily.

Object alignment

Users can use visual alignment guides to align objects to other objects or text, but can ultimately determine where they want to place their objects. This includes the ability to offset-align an object.

Improved access to templates and building blocks online

Users can use templates and insert building blocks of content (for example, mastheads, borders, and graphics) to create professional-looking pages. Publisher 2010 makes it easier for users to access the Publisher online community to get pre-built templates and building blocks, and share ones they create.

Catalog merge

Catalog merge, which lets users merge text and images from a database (such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or Microsoft Outlook) is more easily accessed through the UI. Users will be able to initiate catalog merge at any point while making their publications.

Web mode

Creating new Web sites and Web publications is not available in Publisher 2010. However, users can still edit Web publications created in an earlier version of Publisher. Publisher 2010 does not display a folder of Web site templates, or a user interface access point to change a publication to Web mode. However, users see a Web mode tab when they open a Web publication created in an earlier version of Publisher.

Outdated application settings

Users no longer have access to several settings that were available in Tools | Options. This includes changes to the following dialog boxes: Spelling options, Customize, Service options, and several tabs in Options. This also includes removal of or changes to the following in Settings: Show basic colors in color palette, Show TipPages + Reset Tips button, Show underline for merge fields and business information fields, Automatically synchronize formatting, and Use a wizard for blank publications.

VBA settings migration

In Office 2010, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) 6.0 was updated to VBA 7.0. VBA 7.0 settings were reset to their defaults after migration instead of automatically repopulating. This occurred because the registry settings for VBA are in a different hive in Office 2010, as shown in the following table.

To correct this problem, copy the VBA 6.0 registry keys from the 6.0 hive to the 7.0 hive.

For more information, see User registry settings to migrate to Office 2010 and Compatibility Between the 32-bit and 64-bit Versions of Office 2010 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=185841).