Office Settings & Configuration

How to Stop Microsoft Publisher from Using Metric Units by Default

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to stop Microsoft Publisher from defaulting to metric units (centimeters) and set inches as the permanent default to avoid changing it manually for every new document.

How to Change Default Measurement Units in Microsoft Publisher

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Creating or editing layouts in Microsoft Publisher where the ruler and layout guides default to metric measurements instead of the user's preferred units.
Observed behavior: Publisher repeatedly opens new documents using metric units, ignoring previous document-level measurement adjustments and requiring manual fixes every time.

Before you start

Ensure you save your current work and close any active Microsoft Publisher documents so that the new default settings can be properly applied to all future files.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Default Units via Publisher Advanced Options

The most reliable and direct way to permanently change the default measurement unit for all future Publisher documents is through the application's built-in advanced settings.

This method updates the core application settings rather than just the current document, ensuring that every new file you create will use your selected measurement unit automatically.

Open Publisher Options

Launch Microsoft Publisher, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the screen, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Navigate to Advanced Settings

In the Publisher Options dialog box, click on 'Advanced' in the left pane.

Change Measurement Units

Scroll down to the 'Display' section. Locate the dropdown menu next to 'Show measurement in units of' and select 'Inches' (or your preferred unit).

Apply and Restart

Click 'OK' to save your changes. Restart Microsoft Publisher to ensure the new default measurement unit takes effect across the entire application.

Change Default Units via Publisher Advanced Options

Global Setting Applied: This setting remains saved globally. You will no longer need to adjust the ruler or document units every time you start a new project.

Solution 2

Adjust Windows Regional Settings

If changing Publisher's internal settings does not resolve the issue, your Windows system regional settings might be forcing metric units globally.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Document Editing with WPS Office

If formatting struggles and configuration issues in Microsoft Office applications are slowing you down, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, making it incredibly simple to set your preferred measurement units without digging through complex menus.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to set up the software.
3. Set Your Preferences: Open WPS Writer, navigate to the settings menu, and easily choose your default measurement units for all future documents.

Easily configure your preferred measurement units in an intuitive settings panel.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF file formats.Lightweight architecture ensures fast performance on any Windows PC or Mac.A complete, free office suite that requires zero complex deployment processes.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printed Publisher output look different from the print preview?

This usually happens when there is a mismatch between the document's page size and the printer's actual paper size. Verify your document page setup, ensure the correct printer paper size and orientation are selected, and check that no unwanted print scaling is applied in the print dialog.

Can I temporarily use metric units in a single Publisher document without changing the default?

Yes. You can follow the same steps (File > Options > Advanced > Display) to temporarily change the unit to metric while working on a specific project. This will apply to your current session, but you will need to switch it back to inches later if you want inches as your global default.

How do I make the measurement ruler visible in Microsoft Publisher?

To display the ruler, navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon menu. In the 'Show' group, check the box labeled 'Rulers'. The rulers will now appear at the top and left sides of your workspace, reflecting your chosen default measurement units.

Office App Problems