Understanding Microsoft Publisher 2013

Microsoft Publisher 2013 is Microsoft's entry-level desktop publishing program. Not to be confused with
Microsoft Word, Publisher is used primarily for page layouts and designs, instead of text documents and
proofreading. The software program was created with small businesses in mind, more than the home
user. It's perfect for those companies that don't want to yet purchase a more expensive desktop
publishing program, or only have limited experience with desktop publishing.

That said, Microsoft Publisher 2013 is not available with all Microsoft Office product suites. Instead, it's
only available with Office 365 or Office Professional 2013.

Parts of Publisher

The Ribbon- The ribbon consists of tabs, groups, and tools. The tabs are located at the top of the
ribbbon and divides the groups and tools up to make what you need easier to find . The tabs in Publisher
2013 are Home, Insert, Page Design, Mailings, Review, and View.

The Backstage View- The Backstage View is located under the File tab on the ribbon. Using the Backstage
view, you can get information on your publication, check it for design errors, save publications, print
publications, share publications, and set your preferences for using Publisher 2013

The Page Navigator- Page Navigation shows you thumbnails of all pages in your file. For example, if you
had a multi-page newsletter, Page Navigation would show you thumbnails of each page. You can use this
to easily navigate from page to page. You can click on a thumbnail to open it in the work space area.

The Status Bar- These tell you the object location (position) in the publication and the size of the object
you have selected
The Purpose of Publisher 2013

Publisher allows small businesses to quickly create publications for printing or sharing online. You can
easily create professional-looking publications by either creating them yourself from scratch, or using
one of the many pre-designed templates that Publisher offers.These templates can easily be customized
for the look you want.

You can use Publisher to create:

 Brochures
 Labels
 Greeting Cards
 Certificates
 Flyers
 Invitations
 Photo Albums
 And more

You can create advertisements for your business, event announcements, awards, and the list goes on.
You can even create bookmarks and stickers using Publisher. The primary difference between Publisher
and other desktop publishing software programs is that Publisher makes the tasks easier for you to
complete.That means you don't have to be a graphics design professional to be successful using this
program. All that's required is knowledge of the program and a little creativity, and you're on your way to
creating stunning publications.
Introduction to Layout and Design

Since MS Publisher is a desktop publishing software program, it's just as important to learn more about
layout and design as well as to learn about Publisher. That said, before we delve into the technical
aspects of Publisher itself and teach you how to use it, let's learn some basic principles of good design.
You'll find that this information will help you use Publisher to create more professional and beautiful
publications and designs.

Here are the aspects of good design and layout:

 Alignment. Alignment refers to the placement of text and graphics so they line up on a page. It
helps create attractive pages. You can use alignment to group items, create order, or organize the
page elements. Alignment can be horizontal, vertical, or you can line up text and objects along
their top, bottom, left, or right edges.
 Balance. Balance is achieved by making sure elements are evenly distributed on a page. You
don't want to have one section with dozens of pictures, the next with none – or everything lined
up on side of the page and nothing on the other.
 White Space. White space is the space in your layout and design that has nothing in it. It's just
blank space – or white space. It's important to have enough white space so the page is easy to
look at and to read. You don't want to cram in pictures and text. It looks like a traffic jam for the
eyes.
 Proximity. When you place objects close together on a page, you group them together and
suggest a relationship. If you place objects far apart, it suggests lack of a relationship. This is
important to remember in design. Group objects that are related close together. For example,
you can group pictures and text together. Put the picture near related text, not in some other
section where it's out of place.
 Contrast. If you put all square shapes in your design, not one part of your design would stand
out, would it? Use big and small elements, different shapes, and even different colors of text to
achieve contrast. It makes for a more attractive design.
 Unity. All the different objects and pieces in your design should tie together and become a
whole.
 Consistency and Repetition. Repeating design styles, font types, and design elements helps
someone to more easily navigate your design and find what they need. This is especially
important if you are designing monthly newsletters or brochures.