Change the ruler units from inches to centimeters

You don't have to use the measurement units PowerPoint came with. A few clicks in Windows Control Panel changes PowerPoint measurements, for example, from inches to centimeters.

Note:  PowerPoint displays the measurement system your computer uses, so to change from inches to metric (or vice versa), make the change in Control Panel in Windows. You can't change the measurement units directly in PowerPoint.

1. Close PowerPoint.

2. Go to Control Panel.

   • In Windows 10, click Start and type Control Panel.

   • In Windows 8, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.) Enter Control Panel in the search box, tap or click Apps, and then tap or click Control Panel.

3. Click Clock, Language, and Region, Region and Language, Regional Options, or Regional and Language Options, depending on what version of Windows you're using. The options that appear are different for various versions of Windows:

   • If you're using Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7, in the Region or Region and Language dialog box, click the Formats tab, and then click Additional settings. Select Metric from the Measurement system list, and click OK.

   • If you're using Windows Vista or Windows XP, click the Regional Options tab, and then click Customize. On the Numbers tab, in the Measurement system list, click Metric. Apply the changes.

   • If you're using another version of Windows, look for a Numbers option that includes a Measurements setting, and then change the value to Metric. Apply the changes.

4. Start PowerPoint.

The rulers will now display measurements in the system you chose.

Tip: To change back from centimeters to inches, repeat the steps above and select U.S. instead of Metric.