diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 60edfa7f..93899b52 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -7,13 +7,24 @@
 [![CRAN RStudio mirror downloads](https://cranlogs.r-pkg.org/badges/openxlsx)](https://cran.r-project.org/package=openxlsx)
 [![R-CMD-check](https://github.com/ycphs/openxlsx/actions/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml/badge.svg?branch=master)](https://github.com/ycphs/openxlsx/actions/workflows/R-CMD-check.yaml)
 
+This [R](https://www.R-project.org/) package simplifies the creation of `.xlsx`
+files by providing a high level interface to writing, styling and editing
+worksheets. Through the use of [`Rcpp`](https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=Rcpp),
+read/write times are comparable to the [`xlsx`](https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=xlsx)
+and [`XLConnect`](https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=XLConnect) packages with
+the added benefit of removing the dependency on Java.
+
+**Note:** `openxlsx` is no longer under active development. The package is
+maintained, and CRAN warnings will be fixed, but non-critical issues will not be
+addressed unless accompanied by a pull request. Packages that depend on
+`openxlsx` do not need to take any action, but for new developments, users are
+encouraged to use alternatives like `readxl`, `writexl`, or `openxlsx2`. The
+first two packages provide support for reading and writing `.xlsx` files. The
+latter package is a modern reinterpretation of `openxlsx` and provides similar
+functions to modify worksheets. However, it is not a drop-in replacement, so you
+may want to consult resources like the
+[update vignette](https://janmarvin.github.io/openxlsx2/articles/Update-from-openxlsx.html).
 
- 
- 
-This [R](https://www.R-project.org/) package simplifies the creation of `.xlsx` files by providing 
-a high level interface to writing, styling and editing worksheets. Through the use of [`Rcpp`](https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=Rcpp), read/write times are comparable to the [`xlsx`](https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=xlsx) and
-[`XLConnect`](https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=XLConnect) packages with the added benefit of removing the dependency on
-Java. 
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -31,12 +42,29 @@ install.packages(c("Rcpp", "remotes"), dependencies = TRUE)
 remotes::install_github("ycphs/openxlsx")
 ```
 
+## Example
+
+Explore the package with a simple example:
+
+```R
+library(openxlsx)
+
+# Create a new workbook and add a sheet
+wb <- createWorkbook()
+addWorksheet(wb, "Sheet 1")
+
+# Write data to the sheet
+writeData(wb, "Sheet 1", mtcars)
+
+# Save the workbook
+saveWorkbook(wb, "my_mtcars.xlsx", overwrite = TRUE)
+```
+
 ## Bug/feature request
-Please let me know which version of openxlsx you are using when posting bug reports.
+Please let us know which version of `openxlsx` you are using when posting bug reports.
 ```R
 packageVersion("openxlsx")
 ```
 
 ## News
-[Here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ycphs/openxlsx/master/NEWS.md). 
-
+You can find the NEWS file [here](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ycphs/openxlsx/master/NEWS.md).