How to Change Ruler Unit in Word, Excel, PowerPoint

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Whether you need inches or centimeters, changing ruler units in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is a breeze. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the quick and easy steps.

Why Change Ruler Units?

The default ruler measurement units in Microsoft Office applications are usually set to inches. However, you may prefer to use centimeters or other units instead.

Here are some common reasons for changing the units:

  • You are more comfortable visualizing and working in centimeters or millimeters rather than inches
  • You need to create a document for an international audience that uses the metric system
  • You imported a document with objects sized in another unit and want the rulers to match
  • You simply want consistency across all Office applications

Whatever the reason, it only takes a minute to update the units in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Change Ruler Units in Microsoft Word

Changing the ruler units in Word will also update the units used for margins, indents, tab stops, and more throughout the application.

Here is how to do it:

  1. Open Word and select the “File” tab
  2. Click “Options” to open the Word Options dialog box
  3. Select “Advanced” in the left sidebar
  4. In the right pane, scroll down to the Display section
  5. Open the dropdown next to “Show measurements in units of” and choose your desired units
  6. Click “OK” to save the changes

The rulers in Word will now display the new units. Any new documents you create will also default to these units.

Update Ruler Units in Microsoft Excel

Modifying the ruler units in Excel changes the units used for column widths, row heights, and more.

Follow these simple steps:

  1. Select the “File” tab in Excel
  2. Click “Options” to open the Excel Options dialog box
  3. Choose “Advanced” in the left sidebar
  4. Scroll down to the Display section
  5. Open the dropdown next to “Ruler units” and pick your preferred units
  6. Click “OK” to apply the changes

The horizontal and vertical rulers in Excel will immediately display the new units.

Change PowerPoint Ruler Units

Follow this quick 3-step process to update the ruler units in PowerPoint:

  1. Select the “File” tab
  2. Click “Options” to open the PowerPoint Options dialog box
  3. Choose “Advanced” in the left sidebar
  4. Scroll to the Display section
  5. Open the dropdown next to “Show measurements in units of” and select your desired units
  6. Click “OK” to save the changes

The rulers in PowerPoint will now showcase the newly updated units.

And that’s all there is to it! With just a few clicks, you can seamlessly change ruler units across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to your preferred measurement system.

Display Rulers in Microsoft Office

If you don’t see rulers displayed along the top and left edges of your document, spreadsheet, or presentation, you’ll need to enable them first before changing the units.

Here’s how to show rulers:

Word: Select the “View” tab > Tick the “Ruler” checkbox

Excel: Click the “View” tab > “Page Layout” > Rulers will appear

PowerPoint: Choose the “View” tab > Tick the “Ruler” checkbox

Now you can follow the steps above to change the ruler units.

Tips for Changing Ruler Units

Here are some handy tips when working with rulers:

  • Changing units in one Office program does not automatically change them in other programs. Be sure to update each one individually.
  • You can toggle between various units at any time by repeating the steps.
  • The new ruler units apply to all new and existing documents.
  • Try experimenting with different units to find your ideal working preference.

Key Takeaways

Changing the ruler display units in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint only takes seconds. Follow the quick steps outlined above based on the Office program you are using.

Customizing ruler units to your favorite measurement system boosts productivity by optimizing your working environment. It also ensures consistency when collaborating internationally or with documents sized using metric or other units.

So don’t settle for the default inches if they don’t meet your needs. Take control and create a customized experience with your preferred ruler units instead!

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