To show the ruler in Excel, switch to Page Layout view: go to the View tab and select Page Layout. The horizontal and vertical rulers appear along the top and left side of the sheet. Excel only shows rulers in Page Layout view, not in Normal view.
The steps and ruler units come from Microsoft’s Use measurement rulers on a worksheet article, and the grayed-out fix is confirmed by a Microsoft moderator on Microsoft Q&A. Microsoft’s article applies to Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2024 and Excel 2021.
How to Show the Ruler in Excel
- Select the View tab.
- In the Workbook Views group, select Page Layout.
- If the rulers still don’t appear, check the Ruler box in the Show group on the same tab.
Result: a ruler appears above the column headings and another to the left of the row numbers. Microsoft says you can use them to measure column width, row height, and the width and height of pages.
Shortcut: the status bar button
You can also switch to Page Layout view with the middle of the three view buttons in the bottom-right corner of the window, next to the zoom slider. It is the icon that looks like a page.
Things to know about the ruler
- It’s per sheet. The ruler shows for the active sheet, so switching to another worksheet may mean turning on Page Layout view there too.
- Selections are highlighted. When you select a cell or range, the ruler highlights the matching area, which shows the size of your selection.
Why Is the Ruler Option Grayed Out?
The Ruler box is only available in Page Layout view. A Microsoft moderator confirms that if you are in Normal view or another view, the option is grayed out. Select View > Page Layout first, then check Ruler.
How to Change the Ruler Units
Microsoft says the rulers use your operating system’s measurement units by default, but you can switch to inches, centimeters or millimeters:
- Select File > Options.
- Select Advanced.
- Scroll to Display.
- In the Ruler units box, choose Inches, Centimeters or Millimeters.
- Select OK.
Result: the rulers and Page Layout measurements use the new unit. The setting applies across Excel, not just the current workbook.
What the Ruler Is Good For
- Measuring: check column widths, row heights and page sizes before you print. To place a small table in the middle of the paper, center the worksheet horizontally and vertically.
- Adjusting margins: In Page Layout view, you can point at the edge of the ruler where the worksheet area starts until the cursor becomes a double arrow, then drag to change the page margin.
- Planning a printout: Page Layout view shows the sheet as printed pages, so you can see how it will look on paper.
How to Hide the Ruler or Go Back to Normal View
To hide just the ruler, clear the Ruler box on the View tab. To leave Page Layout view, go to View > Normal. The rulers hide again, but your changes stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I show the ruler in Normal view?
No. Excel only shows rulers in Page Layout view. Normal view is for working with data, and Page Layout view is for seeing how the sheet will print.
Why does my ruler show centimeters instead of inches?
Microsoft says the rulers use the measurement units set in your computer’s operating system by default. Change it in File > Options > Advanced > Ruler units.
For more Excel help, see our Excel guides.
Related Guides
- How to return worksheets to Normal view
- How to AutoFit columns and rows in Excel
- How to put column A on the right side (or back on the left)
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