Ruler - Measument - Metric?

[Eric G]

Hi,

In Word 2003 I use metric measurements (the system wide settings are also
metric) and I have set units in under Tools > Options > General to
Centimeters. My default tab stops are set to 1 cm, and other tab stop
positions to any position, by manually entering the tab positions via the
menu Format > Tabs > Tabs.

However, when I want to set tab stops by mouse clicking on the ruler, the
tabs are set according to imperial measurements in predefined 1/4 inch steps
(0.63, 1.24, 1.9 and 2.54 cm, and so on). Why is this so, and how can this
problem be overcome? If I remeber correctly I did not have this problem in
Word 97.

Regards


Eric G
Sweden

 

[Klaus Linke]

Hi Eric,

The positions where the tabs "snap in" depend on the settings of the
drawing grid.

Display the drawing toolbar if you don't see it, and then open "Draw >
Grid", the drawing grid menu.

If "Snap objects to grid" is not checked, Word will use some sensible
values, depending on the measurement units.
If you often change measurement units, that's a sensible setting.

If you do check "Snap objects to grid", you can set the steps for the tab
stops ("Grid settings > Horizontal spacing") to your liking.

BTW, if you hold down the Alt-key, you can drag the tab stops without any
grid.
If you double-click on a tab stop in the ruler, you can set its position
exactly in the dialog.

Regards,
Klaus

 

[Eric G]

Klaus,

Many thanks for you quick, clean and consise reply. Problem solved!

Also thanks for the suggestions about the "Grid settings > Horizontal
spacing", it may very well come in handy. I very seldom use the Draw feature
of Word, but have noticed the Draw Toolbar popping up when I insert a Text
Box.

By the way, and since we are on the subject, is there a way to avoid getting
the "canvas" for "Insert Your Drawing Here" popping up each time I want to
insert a Text Box?
I often insert a Text Box for adding illustrations/pictures to my documents
and each time I use the insert Text Box command a "canvas" pops up, and I
click outside it, whereafter the ordinary text box appears and I insert my
picture.

Best regards,


Eric Green
Sweden

 

[Klaus Linke]

By the way, and since we are on the subject, is there a way to avoid

getting the "canvas" for "Insert Your Drawing Here" popping up each
time I want to insert a Text Box?

You should be able to turn that off in "Tools > Options > General".

Regards
Klaus

 

[Eric G]

So right, so right ...

Klaus, many thanks for this time.

Regards,

Eric

 

[Klaus Linke]

[Tools > Options > General > Automatically insert drawing canvas when
creating AutoShapes]

That one I googled, I admit...
Didn't remember where that setting was, and googling the newsgroups is
usually faster than checking all the option settings or trying to find it
in the help.

;-) Klaus