Graphics

All major formats can be imported.

Extensive resizing and text wrapping controls.

A number of math/science symbols are available, but for equations, a 3rd party application (such as MathType) [will be easier to use].

Equations can be imported as an eps file.

Changing size, position or orientation of a graphics frame is aided with the Reference Point feature.

Most major formats can be imported.

Imported graphics are automatically (and proportionately) resized to the size of the picture frame.

Text wrap controls similar to those of a word processor.

Equations can be imported from a 3rd party application such as MathType.

Most major formats, except the wmf format can be imported.

Limited resizing and text wrapping controls.

Cannot directly text wrap the svg format.

A number of math/science symbols are available, but for equations, a third party application (such as MathType) [will be easier to use].

Equations can be imported as an eps file.

Changing size, position or orientation of a graphics frame is aided with the Basepoint feature.

Cannot import the png and svg formats.

It doesn't import EPS files correctly, only preview images, and only the preview image will be exported, so that the EPS import is quite useless.

Text wrap controls similar to those of a word processor.

Equations can be imported from a 3rd party application such as MathType.

Long Document Features

Both the Table of Contents and Index features have extensive options.

Figure captions require a separate text frame and an appropriately defined style.

The Table of Contents feature can be used to automatically create a Table of Figures. When used for a Table of Figures, it is necessary to manually cut/paste entries to get list in correct order.

Can import all styles from a word processing document.

There are a number of options for preserving formatting of imported text.

Adding text frames is a "story" not a document feature, and can be added manually, "semi-automatically," or automatically.

Very basic [and hard to use] Table of Contents feature.

No Index feature.

No Footnote feature.

A Table of Figures must generated manually.

Formatting from an external document (such as a word processing document) can be preserved or overridden only if copy/paste is used. If Insert/Text file is used, source document formatting is used.

If imported text exceeds available space, Publisher can create additional text frames.

Table of Contents feature available, but no Index feature.

No Footnote feature.

A Table of Figures must generated manually.

Can import only paragraph styles from a word processing document.

[Options for preserving formatting of imported text are not intuitive.]

[Automatic page numbering feature not intuitive.]

Automatic text frames are a document feature.

No Table of Contents feature, no Index feature and no Footnote feature.

A Table of Figures must generated manually.

If Insert/Text file is used, source document formatting is used.

No automatic text frame feature.

Color

Extensive color and color management features.

Pantone® licensed.

Pantone® licensed.

Some (untested) color management features are available in the Windows XP and Vista operating systems.

Additional software provides color management for the Linux OS.

MAC computers include color management with the ColorSync capability.

Not Pantone® licensed.

It can't export spot colors to PDF/PS files. They are always converted to CMYK.

Not Pantone® licensed.

No color management available, although some (untested) color management features are available in the Windows XP and Vista operating systems.