Column width in inches?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bob Newman
  • Start date Start date
B

Bob Newman

I want to use Excel to make some forms. Is it possible to set it so the
column width is displayed in inches? That way I will know how the width
will look in the printed form? Right now I have been using the trial &
error method. Estimating, printing, editing, printing again, etc. I am
going through about 25 pages on each form. There must be an easier way.

Thanks in advance... Bob
 
Bob

The width unit of measurement is the number of characters of a standard
font. It is not mm or cm or inches. As far as I am aware it can't be. I
think you'll have to continue with you trial and error approach.

Andy.
 
If it makes any difference the size of the font is not relevant. I just
want to make a column 2 inches wide of instance.

Bob
 
Bob

The only thing I can suggest is that you set it up once and make a note of
the number of pixels that equals the width you want.

Andy.
 
Hi Bob,
If you place your mouse cursor between 2 columns you get the resize arrows
cursor.
Right click and you get a tooltip that show the column width in chars &
pixels.
Pixels per inch for your display can be viewed in control panel>display,
settings tab. Click advanced.
96 pixels per inch is the normal default.

My machine is set to 96 pixels/inch. With the standard column width of 8.43
chars @ 63 pixels that works out to 63/96=.656 inches wide.

Hope this helps.
 
I don't know if you saw this but Harald Staff posted this response to a
different question by mistake. I think it was intended for you:

Here's a variation of the metric code at
http://www.erlandsendata.no/english/index.php?d=envbawssetrowcolumnmm

Sub SetWidth()
Dim W As Double, C As Long
C = ActiveCell.Column
On Error Resume Next
W = CDbl(InputBox("Width for column number " & _
C & ":", "Enter inches:"))
If W > 0 Then Call SetColumnWidthInches(C, W)
End Sub

Sub SetColumnWidthInches(ColNo As Long, inchW As Double)
Dim W As Double
If ColNo < 1 Or ColNo > 255 Then Exit Sub
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
W = Application.InchesToPoints(inchW)
While Columns(ColNo + 1).Left - Columns(ColNo).Left - 0.1 > W
Columns(ColNo).ColumnWidth = Columns(ColNo).ColumnWidth - 0.1
Wend
While Columns(ColNo + 1).Left - Columns(ColNo).Left + 0.1 < W
Columns(ColNo).ColumnWidth = Columns(ColNo).ColumnWidth + 0.1
Wend
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub
 
see if you can cut-n-paste your form to MS word. It'll show it in inches.

----- Bob Newman wrote: -----

I want to use Excel to make some forms. Is it possible to set it so the
column width is displayed in inches? That way I will know how the width
will look in the printed form? Right now I have been using the trial &
error method. Estimating, printing, editing, printing again, etc. I am
going through about 25 pages on each form. There must be an easier way.

Thanks in advance... Bob
 
jaf said:
Hi Bob,
If you place your mouse cursor between 2 columns you get the resize arrows
cursor.
Right click and you get a tooltip that show the column width in chars &
pixels.
Pixels per inch for your display can be viewed in control panel>display,
settings tab. Click advanced.
96 pixels per inch is the normal default.
My machine is set to 96 pixels/inch. With the standard column width of 8.43
chars @ 63 pixels that works out to 63/96=.656 inches wide.
Click to expand...

Given the above, it works out to about 14 pixels per inch with my Excel2003.
Be curious if that works for anyone else.
 
In excel 2007
Click View > Page Layout
Then click View
Under 'show hide' area on the ribbon pick 'ruler'
in the row number area click and hold on the border between rows, then the tool tip shows inches and pixels.

Same for columns.

Thanks!
Dan
 
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