Change PowerPoint units from inches to centimeters and vice versa

PowerPoint 2016
PowerPoint uses local Windows settings to show grid spacing, figure sizes, etc. This can be an issue if you prepare the presentation for different or multiple locales. Fortunately, you can temporarily change the measurement units if you have strict style guide requirements.

When you work with PowerPoint rulers or gridlines, you can see different units:

Grid and Guides inches in PowerPoint 365    or   Grid and Guides centimeters in PowerPoint 365

Or when you format any picture, shape, etc.:

Size group inches in PowerPoint 365    or   Size group centimeters in PowerPoint 365

If you need to change measurement units, you need to make changes in Control Panel in your Windows system. See how to change measurement settings from inches to centimeters and vice versa.

Note: PowerPoint should be restarted to use new measurement settings.

See also this tip in French: Comment changer les unités PowerPoint de pouces en centimètres et vice versa.

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Change PowerPoint units from inches to centimeters and vice versa

Change PowerPoint units from inches to centimeters and vice versa

PowerPoint uses local Windows settings to show grid spacing, figure sizes, etc. This can be an issue if you prepare the presentation for different or multiple locales. Fortunately, you can temporarily change the measurement units if you have strict style guide requirements.
Change PowerPoint units from inches to centimeters and vice versa

Change PowerPoint units from inches to centimeters and vice versa

PowerPoint is using local Windows settings to show grid spacing, figure sizes, etc. This can be an issue if you prepare the presentation for different or multiple locales. Fortunately, you can temporarily change the measurement units if you have strict style guide requirements.
Optional design tools in PowerPoint presentation

Optional design tools in PowerPoint presentation

PowerPoint offers useful optional screen tools that help position and align slide elements. You can display rulers, gridlines, and guides on the Slide pane and change the magnification of the current slide.