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https://github.com/rmellis/open-publisher

A free desktop publishing tool that makes it easy to create documents, flyers, brochures, and fun designs. Use it entirely in your browser, or download the dedicated client apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux!
https://github.com/rmellis/open-publisher

desktop-publisher desktoppublisher easy edit export import microsoftpublisheralternative mspubalt publisher pwa simple webapp

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A free desktop publishing tool that makes it easy to create documents, flyers, brochures, and fun designs. Use it entirely in your browser, or download the dedicated client apps for Mac, Windows, and Linux!

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README 

          
# 📘 Open Publisher – User Guide (v4)



Welcome to **Open Publisher**! This is a lightweight desktop publishing tool that allows you to create documents, flyers, brochures, and fun designs. Originally built for the web, version 4.0.0 brings Open Publisher directly to your desktop as a native application for Windows, macOS, and Linux. We are constantly tweaking and improving the app based on your feedback to make the workflow as smooth as possible.



## 📑 Table of Contents

1. [The Native Desktop Experience (New)](#1-the-native-desktop-experience-new)

2. [The Interface Overview](#2-the-interface-overview)

3. [File Management & Importing](#3-file-management--importing)

4. [Core Editing & Workflows](#4-core-editing--workflows)

5. [Working with Text](#5-working-with-text)

6. [Working with Images & Graphics](#6-working-with-images--graphics)

7. [Page Design & Layout](#7-page-design--layout)

8. [Multi-Page Documents & Printing](#8-multi-page-documents--printing)

9. [Templates](#9-templates)

10. [Ribbon Reference (Detailed Tab Breakdown)](#10-ribbon-reference-detailed-tab-breakdown)

11. [Keyboard Shortcuts](#11-keyboard-shortcuts)



---



## 1. The Native Desktop Experience (New)



With version 4, we focused on making Open Publisher feel at home on your computer, no matter what operating system you use. 

Screenshot of the app running as a desktop window on Windows/Mac/Linux



  

    

      Screenshot of the Windows Installer or Windows Start Menu icon

    

    

      
    

            
  • 

    Windows: Available as a standard .exe installer that handles Start Menu shortcuts and file associations, or as a portable .zip that runs completely isolated without needing administrator privileges.
    • 

          


    

  



* **macOS:** Enjoy a true Mac experience with tools mapped directly to the native macOS menu bar at the top of your screen. It includes a custom splash screen and safe exit warnings so you don't lose unsaved changes.

Screenshot of the native macOS Menu Bar showing Insert tab



* **Linux:** Deep system integration available via `.deb`, `.rpm`, and standalone `AppImage`. File associations and taskbar icons work right out of the box.



---



## 2. The Interface Overview



If you’ve spent any time on a computer over the past 20 years, this layout will feel instantly familiar—it’s inspired by Microsoft's Office, back when it looked its best.



Open Publisher's Main Window



* **Title Bar:** Displays the document name (click to rename), Undo/Redo controls, and mouse coordinates.

* **Ribbon Menu:** The tabbed area at the top containing all tools. *Note: Contextual tabs will automatically appear here when you select specific items like images or tables.*

* **Sidebar (Left):** Shows thumbnails of your pages. Use this to add, delete, or switch pages.

* **Canvas & Rulers (Center):** Your workspace. The rulers are hardware-accelerated, measure in true Centimeters/Millimeters (matching MS Publisher), and dynamically track your page's exact physical dimensions.

* **Zoom Controls (Bottom Right):** Quick toggles for zooming (60% - 150%). The ruler and canvas will gracefully scale without blurring or losing lines.



---



## 3. File Management & Importing



Everything related to opening, saving, and exporting your work is located in the **File Tab**. If you are using the desktop version, clicking Save or Open will safely bring up your operating system's native file dialogs.



File Tab



### Saving Your Work

* **Save Document:** Click Save to save your project as an `.opub` file (our new native format). **This is your "Master File."** Keep this to edit your text or move objects later.

* **Save as PDF:** Renders your pages as a high-quality PDF document.



### Opening & Importing Documents

You can click **Open** or simply **Drag and Drop** files directly onto the canvas. On Windows, macOS, and Linux, you can also just **double-click an `.opub` file** to launch the app and open your document instantly. We currently support:

* **Open Publisher Saves (`.opub`, `.json`):** Restores your previous working sessions.

* **Images (`.png`, `.jpg`, etc.):** Drops the image directly onto your page.

* **Publisher Files (`.pub`, `.pubx`):** Experimental import for legacy Publisher files.

* **Word Documents (`.doc`, `.docx`):** Because Word layouts can be tricky, dropping a Word file opens an import menu with two choices:

  1. **Editable Text Mode:** The engine will extract the text, fonts, and colors, turning them into editable boxes. 

  2. **Flattened Image Mode (Safe Mode):** Best for strict forms or highly complex medical tables. It renders the document as a high-res, uneditable background image to guarantee 100% layout accuracy.



---



## 4. Core Editing & Workflows

Home Tab



* **Selection & Marquee:** Click once on any object to select it. Click and drag on the blank paper to draw a **Marquee Selection Box** and select multiple items at once.

* **Grouping:** Once multiple items are selected, right-click and choose **Group** to lock them together.

* **Movement & Resize:** Drag an object to move it, or drag the white square handles to resize. Dragging a handle past the opposite edge will "flip" (mirror) the object.

* **Contextual Ribbons:** When you select an image, shape, or table, keep an eye on the top ribbon. A special highlighted tab (e.g., "Picture Tools") will appear with specific tools for that object.

* **Right-Click Context Menu:** Right-click anywhere on the canvas or on an object to quickly access layer arrangements, background formatting, cropping, grouping, and more.



---



## 5. Working with Text



### Inserting & Formatting

Go to the **Insert Tab** and click **Text Box**. You can format text using the Ribbon, or by using the **Floating Toolbar** that appears next to your selection. 



insert tab

text box



* **Text Fit:** Right-click a text box and select **Text Fit: Best Fit** to automatically scale your font to perfectly fill the box.

* **Drop Cap:** Right-click and select **Drop Cap** to stylize the first letter of a paragraph.



### WordArt

For headlines, go to **Insert > WordArt** to access a gallery of 200 pre-styled graphical text effects. You can stretch, resize, and swap WordArt styles on the fly without breaking the layout.

WordArt Gallery



---



## 6. Working with Images & Graphics



Go to the **Insert Tab** to upload pictures or utilize our built-in vector Clipart, Shapes, and Ad Stickers.



When an image is selected, the **Picture Tools** tab appears:

picture tools



* **Crop & Shape Crop:** Click Crop to trim the image, or right-click the image and select **Crop to Shape** to instantly cut your photo into a circle, star, or triangle.

* **Recolor & Filters:** Apply grayscale, sepia, color tints, or drop-shadows.



---



## 7. Page Design & Layout



Use the **Page Design Tab** to change the look of the paper itself.

Page Design tab



* **Size & Orientation:** Switch between A4/Letter and Portrait/Landscape.

* **Page Borders:** Apply standard lines or **Fancy Borders** (Art Deco, Floral, Certificate) to the page edge.

* **Themes & Backgrounds:** Click a color swatch in the ribbon, or right-click the blank paper and select **Format Background** to pick a custom hex color.



---



## 8. Multi-Page Documents & Printing



### Managing Pages:



  

    

      Sidebar

    

    

      
    

            
  • 

    Sidebar Navigation: Click a thumbnail to switch pages.
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  • 

    Add Page: Click + Add Page to create a blank sheet.
    • 

            
  • 

    Delete Page: Hover over a thumbnail and click the Red X.
    • 

            
  • 

    Headers & Footers: Every page has a dedicated Header and Footer area. Text typed here is specific to that page.

              
      

                   
    • Toggle visibility via Page Design > H/F Toggle.
      • 

                
    

            
    • 

          


    

  



### Perfect Printing

We have completely overhauled the print spooler to ensure a seamless physical printing experience. 

* Click **Print** in the File tab.

* **Zero Spillage:** We use a special mathematical "zoom box" to ensure your document never triggers an extra blank page at the end.

* **Color Accuracy:** Background colors, forms, and text-halos are forced to render exactly as they appear on screen.



---



## 9. Templates



Need inspiration? Go to **File > Templates**. Browse categories like Resumes, Flyers, Menus, and Certificates.

Templates Gallery



> 📝 **Note:** Loading a template will replace the content of your **currently selected** page.



---



## 10. Ribbon Reference (Detailed Tab Breakdown)



### 🏠 Home Tab

* **Common:** Shortcuts for PDF Export and Saving.

* **Clipboard:** Paste, Copy, Cut.

* **Font:** Font Family, Size, Bold, Italic, Underline, and Color Picker.

* **Editing:** Select All.

* **Arrange:** Bring to Front, Send to Back, Delete.



### ➕ Insert Tab

* **Illustrations:** Text Box, Picture (Upload), Clipart (Gallery).

* **Graphics:** Shapes (Solid & Outlines), WordArt.

* **Marketing:** Ad templates and stickers.

* **Tables:** Grid picker to insert editable tables.



### 🎨 Page Design Tab

* **Page Setup:** Margins Toggle, Orientation, Size.

* **Layout:** Borders (Basic & Fancy), Header/Footer Toggle.

* **Themes:** Background color/pattern selector.



### 👁️ View Tab

* **Zoom:** Presets (60%, 75%, 100%, 150%).

* **Show:**

    * **Margins:** Visual print guides.

    * **Rulers:** Hardware-accelerated measurement rulers (CM/MM).

    * **Grid:** Graph paper overlay.

    * **Baselines:** Notebook line overlay.



### 🔎 Review Tab

* **Proofing:**

    * **Spelling:** Turn on the red squiggly lines for spellcheck.

    * **Thesaurus:** Opens external reference.



---



## 11. Keyboard Shortcuts



| Shortcut | Function |

| :--- | :--- |

| **Ctrl + Z** | Undo |

| **Ctrl + Y** | Redo |

| **Ctrl + C** | Copy |

| **Ctrl + V** | Paste |

| **Delete** | Delete selected element(s) |

| **Ctrl + Wheel** | Zoom In / Out |

| **Esc** | Deselect all |

| **Ctrl + A** | Select All |

| **Ctrl + 0** | Reset Zoom |