DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsSlow PC?RecommendedPC slow today? Run a repair scan before it gets worseResolve common Windows issues and optimize system performance.Scan Now×
Skip to content
Cupertino desk2 min

How to Show the Ruler in Excel (Windows and Mac)

Switch Excel to Page Layout view to display its horizontal and vertical rulers. Here are the Windows and Mac steps, plus how to change ruler units.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To show the ruler in Excel, switch the worksheet to Page Layout view. On Windows, choose View > Workbook Views > Page Layout. On Mac, choose View > Page Layout; if you don’t see the rulers on your sheet, choose View > Ruler. The ruler is part of Page Layout view, not an object you insert.

Show the ruler in Excel for Windows

  1. Open the worksheet and select the View tab.
  2. In Workbook Views, select Page Layout.

Excel displays horizontal and vertical rulers in this view. Microsoft documents these steps for Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2024, and Excel 2021. Microsoft Support: Use measurement rulers on a worksheet

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Show the ruler in Excel for Mac

  1. Open the worksheet and select View from the menu bar.
  2. Select Page Layout.
  3. If the rulers are not visible, open the View menu again and select Ruler.

Microsoft documents these instructions for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Excel 2024 for Mac, and Excel 2021 for Mac. Microsoft Support: Change the unit of measurement for cells

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Change the ruler’s measurement units

Excel lets you choose the physical units shown by the ruler. The navigation differs by platform:

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Microsoft Excel Laminated Two-Sided Keyboard Shortcut Guide - Windows Edition
  • Over 215 Microsoft Windows Excel Shortcuts
  • Two-Sided Durable Laminiated Sheet
  • Designed for Excel on a Windows Computer
Platform Path Available units
Windows File > Options > Advanced; under Display, choose Ruler units. Inches, centimeters, or millimeters
Mac Excel > Preferences > Authoring > View; choose Ruler units. Inches, centimeters, or millimeters

On Windows, Microsoft describes Ruler units as the units displayed on the ruler in Layout view. Microsoft Support: Advanced options

Use the ruler to size rows and columns

Page Layout view uses physical measurements for sizing rows and columns, which can help when a worksheet needs to fit a page or match a printed layout. The ruler also helps measure page width and height. Microsoft Support: Use measurement rulers on a worksheet

Rank #2
Sale
Microsoft Surface Pro Keyboard with Pen Storage, Compatible with Copilot+ (11th Edition), Surface 9 and 8, Alcantara Material, Black
  • Instant Copilot. Unlock new possibilities with the dedicated Copilot key, which gives you instant access to experiences that can enhance your productivity¹.
  • Enhance your experience With the new microphone mute key and snipping key
  • Full keyboard experience. Features a full mechanical keyset, backlit keys, and a large trackpad for precise navigation and control. Optimal key spacing allows fast, fluid typing.
  • Slim and compact Performs like a traditional, full-size keyboard.
  • Clicks in place instantly Use in combination with the Surface Pro (11th Edition), Pro 9 and Pro 8* kickstand for a perfect laptop experience anywhere.

Normal view uses different units: row height is measured in points, while column width uses a character-based measurement. Microsoft Support: Change the column width and row height

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

If the ruler still isn’t visible

  • On Mac: Confirm the worksheet is in Page Layout view, then check View > Ruler.
  • On Windows: Confirm that View > Workbook Views > Page Layout is selected.
  • Check what you mean by “ruler”: Gridlines are the faint lines separating worksheet cells; they are a separate display feature and do not turn on the measurement ruler.

The cited instructions cover the listed desktop editions. They do not establish that the same ruler controls are available in Excel for the web, mobile apps, or older releases.

Best Value
SYNERLOGIC Microsoft Word/Excel (for Windows) Reference Guide Keyboard Shortcut Sticker, Laminated, No-Residue Vinyl (White/Small)
  • 💻 ✔️ EVERY ESSENTIAL SHORTCUT - With the SYNERLOGIC Reference Keyboard Shortcut Sticker, you have the most important shortcuts conveniently placed right in front of you. Easily learn new shortcuts and always be able to quickly lookup commands without the need to “Google” it.
  • 💻✔️ Work FASTER and SMARTER - Quick tips at your fingertips! This tool makes it easy to learn how to use your computer much faster and makes your workflow increase exponentially. It’s perfect for any age or skill level, students or seniors, at home, or in the office.
  • 💻 ✔️ New adhesive – stronger hold. It may leave a light residue when removed, but this wipes off easily with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Fewer air bubbles – for the smoothest finish, don’t peel off the entire backing at once. Instead, fold back a small section, line it up, and press gradually as you peel more. The “peel-and-stick-all-at-once” method only works for thin decals, not for stickers like ours.
  • 💻 ✔️ Compatible and fits any brand laptop or desktop running Windows 10 or 11 Operating System.
  • 💻 ✔️ Original Design and Production by Synerlogic Electronics, San Diego, CA, Boca Raton, FL and Bay City, MI, United States 2020. All rights reserved, any commercial reproduction without permission is punishable by all applicable laws.
Rank #4
Sale
Incase Wired Keyboard 600 – Designed by Microsoft – Spill Resistant, Quiet Touch Keys, Plug and Play, 4 Hotkeys, Windows Start Key – Black
  • Efficient Media Controls: The Wired Keyboard 600, designed by Microsoft, features a Media Center with four hot keys for easy control of play/pause, volume up, volume down, and mute functions.
  • Quiet and Responsive Keys: Enjoy a comfortable typing experience with quiet, thin-profile keys that are both responsive and efficient.
  • Convenient Shortcuts: Quickly access common tasks with dedicated shortcut keys, including a calculator hot key and a Windows start screen key.
  • Spill-Resistant Design: Work confidently with a spill-resistant design that protects your keyboard from accidental messes.
  • Plug-and-Play Simplicity: No software needed—just connect the keyboard to your PC and start using it right away, with a full number pad for efficient data entry.
Rank #3
Pixiecube Excel Cheat Sheet Desk Pad | Excel Shortcut Keys Mouse Pad | Extended Large XL Gaming Mousepad | PC Office Spreadsheet Keyboard Mat | Non-Slip Stitched Edge
  • EXCEL SHORTCUTS. ZERO SEARCHING. – Our bestselling reference mat puts an extensive collection of commonly used commands, formulas and helpful tricks directly beneath your fingertips so you can find answers fast, work smarter and stay in the flow.
  • YOUR DESK. SMARTER. – Clearly organized sections for navigation, selection, formatting, data and functions make it easy to find the right Excel command exactly when you need it.
  • LEARN, WORK & RESET – Built-in desk-exercise diagrams give you 10 quick ways to stretch, recharge and return to work feeling sharper.
  • ROOM TO WORK & CREATE – The extended 31.5 x 11.8-inch Pixiecube desk mat fits a laptop or keyboard and mouse, while the soft 2 mm surface adds comfort and protects your desktop.
  • BUILT FOR REAL-WORLD WORKDAYS – A rugged stitched edge helps prevent fraying, and the water-resistant, stain-resistant surface protects against scratches, spills and everyday wear—because smarter desks should work harder.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.