What Is the Apple Version for Microsoft Publisher?

When Microsoft released Office 2011 for the Mac, the suite did not include Publisher, its desktop publishing program, which isn't programmed to work on Mac computers. The basic desktop publishing application from Apple is Pages. This combination word processor and desktop layout program is used on a Mac in much the same way Microsoft Publisher is used on the PC for casual desktop publishing uses. Pages is part of the iWork's productivity suite of programs, which includes Keynote and Numbers.

When you open Pages, you see the Template Chooser, which offers the user a number of templates for word processing or for page layout designs. In the page layouts, you can drag and drop elements on your page as you would in Publisher. When you open a page layout template, you have a tool bar running across the top so you can create your layout design. As in Publisher, you find standard buttons to add text boxes, images, shapes and charts. Your document sits on a canvas. The canvas area allows you to move elements on and off your page so you can adjust items on your screen to attain the layout you want.

The Template Chooser has page layout templates for basic desktop publishing tasks such as newsletters, brochures, posters and flyers. You can also pick a blank canvas for page layout. In the template view, you can zoom in on the template to see which styles each one uses and to get a closer view of how the pages are laid out so you are not guessing what the template looks like before you select it. You can create your own templates as well as purchasing additional templates from online retailers.

After you select a layout template, you have placeholder images for text and graphics, which you change by double-clicking in the placeholder. You change your screen elements such as a text box or image by clicking the box so handles appear. Using handles, you stretch or shrink the box to the size you want. You can also link text boxes to more precisely flow document text. Use the Document Inspector to set precise metrics for your elements while you make font changes via the Font Inspector. As in Publisher, you can drag guides in from the ruler bars to help you place elements on the screen.

You can drag images into the page layout by clicking and dragging them from your desktop or by using the Media button. When you insert an image, the tool bar changes so you can make adjustments to the graphic. As with text boxes, you can change the image size by moving the handles of the box. You can add picture frames and add drop shadows to graphics without opening an image editor.