Switching the ruler in Excel from inches to centimeters is a simple process. First, click on the ‘File’ tab, then select ‘Options.’ In the Excel Options dialog box that appears, navigate to ‘Advanced.’ Scroll down to the ‘Display’ section, and you will find ‘Ruler Units.’ From the drop-down menu, select ‘Centimeters,’ and click ‘OK.’ Voila! Your ruler is now set to centimeters.
After completing this action, any measurements within Excel—including row height, column width, and page layout—will display in centimeters. This can be particularly useful for users who work with international standards or prefer metric measurements.
Introduction
Excel is a powerful tool used by millions worldwide, from business analysts to students. One of its many features is the ability to measure space and layout in a document, typically with a ruler. Now, if you’re based in the United States, you’re probably comfortable with inches as a unit of measurement. But what if you’re not? The rest of the world primarily uses the metric system, which means centimeters are the go-to unit of measure.
Making the switch in Excel from inches to centimeters can be vital for various reasons. Perhaps you’re working on a project that requires standard metric measurements, or maybe you’re sharing your document with colleagues overseas. Or you could just prefer the metric system. Whatever the reason, changing the ruler to centimeters in Excel is a useful skill that can make your work more internationally compatible and precise. It’s a simple tweak that can save you a lot of hassle and conversion headaches in the long run.
Step by Step Tutorial: Changing Ruler Units in Excel
This section will guide you through the necessary steps to switch your Excel ruler from inches to centimeters.
Step 1: Open Excel Options
Click on the ‘File’ tab in the top-left corner of Excel, then select ‘Options’ at the bottom of the sidebar.
This will open the Excel Options dialog box. This is where you can adjust a multitude of Excel’s default settings to better suit your personal preferences.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Advanced’ Options
In the Excel Options dialog box, click on ‘Advanced’ from the sidebar on the left.
The Advanced options contain a range of settings that you can tweak to change how Excel behaves. You’ll find options for editing, displaying, and handling formulas here.
Step 3: Scroll down to ‘Display’ Section
Within the Advanced options, scroll down until you see the ‘Display’ section.
The Display section contains settings that affect how things appear within your Excel workbook. This includes things like the appearance of gridlines, the color of worksheet tabs, and, crucially, the units of your ruler.
Step 4: Change ‘Ruler Units’ to Centimeters
Find ‘Ruler Units’ within the Display section and click on the drop-down menu. Select ‘Centimeters’ from the list.
By default, Excel may have this set to inches, especially if you’re in the United States. Changing it to centimeters will apply this setting to all documents you open in Excel from now on.
Step 5: Click ‘OK’
After selecting ‘Centimeters,’ click ‘OK’ at the bottom of the Excel Options dialog box.
Clicking ‘OK’ will close the Excel Options dialog box and save your changes. Your Excel ruler will now display measurements in centimeters for your current and future Excel sessions.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| International Standards | Using centimeters aligns with international measurement standards, making it easier to share documents globally without conversion. |
| Precision | Centimeters allow for more precise measurements due to smaller units, which can be crucial in detailed work. |
| Personal Preference | For users who are more comfortable with metric measurements, this change can make Excel more user-friendly. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| US Standardization | For users in the United States, inches are the norm, so there may be an adjustment period or confusion when collaborating domestically. |
| Template Adjustment | Some templates may be designed with inch measurements in mind, which could alter the layout when switched to centimeters. |
| Default Settings | Changing default settings can be overlooked, leading to measurement errors if not noticed. |
Additional Information
Changing the ruler from inches to centimeters in Excel is a quick process, but there are a few additional tips worth noting. For instance, if you frequently switch between measurement systems, it might be worth learning the keyboard shortcuts for accessing Excel Options quickly. Also, be aware that changing the ruler to centimeters will also affect the page layout view and print previews. This means your page margins, headers, and footers will also be in centimeters, providing a consistent measurement system throughout your document.
Another point to remember is that this change is application-wide, affecting all Excel workbooks on your device. If you’re collaborating with others who use different settings, it’s a good idea to communicate about measurement preferences before starting a project.
Lastly, consider the default settings on other Microsoft Office applications. For example, Word and PowerPoint also have ruler settings that can be adjusted in a similar way, ensuring consistency across all your documents and presentations.
Summary
- Open Excel Options from the File tab.
- Select ‘Advanced’ from the Excel Options sidebar.
- Scroll to the ‘Display’ section.
- Change ‘Ruler Units’ to centimeters.
- Click ‘OK’ to save changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this change affect existing documents?
No, this change will not alter existing documents unless you adjust the measurements within the document after the change.
Can I switch back to inches easily?
Yes, simply return to Excel Options and select inches from the ‘Ruler Units’ drop-down menu.
Does changing the ruler unit affect formulas?
No, formulas are not affected by the ruler unit change. The formulas in Excel operate independently of the ruler settings.
Will this setting sync across devices?
No, the ruler unit setting is specific to the device you adjust it on. You’ll need to change it manually on other devices.
Can I set different units for different documents?
No, the ruler unit setting is an application-wide setting; it cannot be set individually for each document.
Conclusion
Changing the ruler from inches to centimeters in Excel is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your productivity, especially when working on international projects or if you prefer the metric system. By following the simple steps outlined in this tutorial, you can tailor Excel to meet your measurement needs. Remember to consider the pros and cons of making this switch, as it can influence how you interact with the program and collaborate with others.
This small but significant adjustment can save you time and ensure that your documents meet the required standards, wherever they are being used. So go ahead, make the change, and take one more step towards Excel mastery.
Matthew Burleigh has been a freelance writer since the early 2000s. You can find his writing all over the Web, where his content has collectively been read millions of times.
Matthew received his Master’s degree in Computer Science, then spent over a decade as an IT consultant for small businesses before focusing on writing and website creation.
The topics he covers for MasterYourTech.com include iPhones, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps.
You can read his full bio here.