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Key new features in Microsoft Publisher 2002

Deeper integration with Microsoft Office

Microsoft Publisher 2002 makes it easier to work with other Microsoft Office XP programs, especially Microsoft Word. As with all Office XP programs, the new task pane provides a single location where users can create new files, open existing files, and design their publications. You can use all of the OfficeArt tools, including transparency and 3-D effects. You can also customize toolbars and menus just as you can other Microsoft Office XP programs.

Font Schemes, Styles and formatting

Microsoft Publisher offers two shortcuts to customize and polish your publication.

• The Font Schemes task pane display professionally designed font sets.
• The Styles and Formatting task pane simplifies adding and editing text. Create, view, apply, and even clear formatting from text.

More commercial printing capabilities

• Publisher 2002 supports up to five additional spot colors, as well as a spot color plus process color mix.

• Publisher now separates bitmap images.

Easier publication design and access

The New Publication pane makes it easy to browse wizards, start from scratch, or return to an existing publication.

Speech and handwriting recognition

• Use speech recognition to dictate text, and select menu, toolbar, and dialog box items. Select options by clicking buttons on the Language bar (1).

• Use handwriting recognition to enter text into a document. You can write by using a handwriting input device — such as a graphics tablet or a tablet-PC — or you can write by using your mouse. You can have your natural handwriting converted to typed characters or leave text in handwritten form.

Visual Basic for Applications

With support for VBA in Publisher, you can connect to a Web site and add additional Publisher functionality, such as  one-button publishing tools.

More new features in Publisher

Everyday tasks

Task panes for applying publication formatting   The New Publication and Publication Options task panes organize design templates, color schemes, font schemes, and other layout tools  in a visual gallery that displays alongside your publications. When you choose an item from the task pane, your publications are updated immediately.

Office Clipboard task pane   Copy or cut content from Microsoft Office applications and quickly paste them into Web pages that you're creating with Microsoft Publisher 2002. Office Clipboard now stores those documents visually in a convenient and accessible work pane, and can archive up to 24 different documents from across applications.

More and new designs   There are now over 30 design sets available for you to use in your publications. Many of them are new.

Print preview   You can now preview your publication before you print.

Simplified mail merge   Microsoft Publisher takes advantage of the task pane to deliver a brand new way to connect to your data source and create form letters, mailing labels, and envelopes. The Mail Merge Wizard is easy to use, but still offers rich, advanced functionality.

Diagramming   You can add a variety of diagrams by using the diagramming tools on the Drawing toolbar.

Thesaurus   Refine the text in your publication by using Microsoft Publisher's new Thesaurus.

Graphics   Publisher now has native support for popular graphic file formats.

Font substitution   Easily replace fonts in your publication that are missing from your system.

Web sites and Web integration

Native HTML format support   Now you can save, open, and edit HTML files from within Publisher.

Simplified hyperlinks   The new Insert Hyperlink dialog is easier to use and is consistent with other Office applications.

Send a publication as e-mail   The Send as E-mail command enables you to create vivid publications that you can send via e-mail as either an attachment or as HTML.