Word and Publisher 2007 problems

[Hackenberg]

I have recently begun using Word and Publisher 2007. I've created templates in both for use in creating reports for our company and have found them to be less than compatible. Currently, the problem I'm having is finding a way to import/insert/paste the Word document into Publisher. When I do a simple copy and paste it treats one of my headings as an object instead of text and adds an additional line. When I insert file, it changes how bullets are formatted. When I import the document it creates a new Publisher document and I cannot apply the template I created to that file and the default margins, etc are way off.

I took the time when I made the two templates to make the styles and margins the same in both. I've triple checked the bullet styles and they are identical in both formats yet when I use insert file it changes them. Again, the heading styles are identical in both Word and Publisher but when I do a simple cut and paste it treats this one style as an object and adds a line.

So, my question is this. How can I write the report in Word and import the documents into Publisher? Can it even be done? Keep in mind that these reports can run anywhere from 100 to 800 pages, depending on the scope of the project. It's not really feasible to to have to go through 100s of pages to make sure that the headings are all fixed or the bullets redone.

We have been using Word and PageMaker to produce the reports but were interested in finding new publishing software since Adobe no longer supports PM. It seemed like Publisher and Word, both in the same MS Office suite would be likely candidates, but at this rate, I'm thinking it's not going to work.

Any suggestions would be welcome, even if it's just to tell me to look elsewhere. Thanks.

 

[Lilliabeth]

That sounds like an awful lot to ask of Publisher. It really is a little product that will quickly make postcards and such and mail merge them, but I think I would not attempt to use it for 100s of pages. I presume you have discovered that Publisher is all about textboxes.

What is the ultimate goal?

Can you use pdf?

--Lilliabeth

 

[JPaules]

Have you tried using the Edit Story in Word function? I will tell you that Word is MUCH better for long documents. What are you doing in Publisher that you can't/don't do in Word?

--
JP

 

[Hackenberg]

Thanks for the replies, Lilliabeth and JP.

The ultimate goal is to produce press ready copy of our reports that contain not only text but tables and figures generated from Excel. I've looked at using just Word and with the need for press ready copy, I'm unsure that it is up to the task.

We have been using PageMaker and I hoped that Publisher would have a similar feel and create something similar. I haven't used the Edit Story function yet because my goal was to emulate the PageMaker experience whenever possible. I'm working on new templates that will be used by many different employees with varying skill levels. Making the generation of these documents as technically simple as possible is a must.

It's been a truly frustrating experience working with Office 2007 - Publisher, Word and Excel - and seeing how these programs all put out by MS and sold in a single suite handle basic things like colors, measurements and styles so differently. They are not truly compatible and it's typical Microsoft sloppy code that's to blame.

At this point, I'm about ready to give up on Publisher. If I can't get it to take the text written in Word and insert it into the file without having to go through each page to make adjustments to style or sizing, then it's just not worth the effort.

If there is a way to do this that I'm not aware of, I would love to hear about it. That's really what I'm looking for here. How do I get a Word document into Publisher that maintains styles and margins correctly?

 

[Lilliabeth]

What specifically is bothering you about the Microsoft products?

Publisher is mostly favored by child care providers and scrapbookers. I have no idea why you continue to insist on using it. When you want to make cutesy greeting cards, you will be ready to go.

I still do not understand why you aren't using Word and then printing to pdf.



--Lilliabeth

 

[Hackenberg]

We will be looking elsewhere for a desktop publishing resource. Your comments were helpful in making this decision.

Thank you.

 

[JPaules]

I disagree with Lillibeth's comment about daycare providers and scrapbookers. I am neither and have been a Publisher user for over 10 years. I've used it for creating newsletters, programs, and brochures for a non-profit group.

I suspect your task would be best handled with Word. Why were you trying to use Publisher?

--
JP

 

[Lilliabeth]

JPaules, I am sorry if I offended you. I use Publisher too, but not for tasks anything at all like this. I just was out of ideas to communicate that.

--Lilliabeth

 

[JPaules]

Neither of us use Publisher for a task like this and I suspect that's because of the same reason. It's not the right tool for that job.

--
JP