Skip to content
Free Forever Ruler

How to Show the Ruler in PowerPoint Online (and What to Use Instead)

Updated

Short answer: the web version has no ruler

According to Microsoft's documentation, rulers and gridlines are only available in desktop PowerPoint. PowerPoint for the web relies on smart guides, the dashed alignment lines that pop up while you drag an object.

Precise alignment in PowerPoint for the web

  • Smart guides: drag slowly and watch for the dashed lines that snap to edges and centers.
  • Align: select several objects, then use Arrange › Align to line up edges or centers, or distribute them evenly.
  • Exact size: type height and width in the Shape Format or Picture tab instead of dragging.

Turn on the ruler in desktop PowerPoint

  1. Select Edit in Desktop App (or open the file in PowerPoint).
  2. Go to View and check Ruler in the Show group. If it's grayed out, switch to Normal view.
  3. For the vertical ruler on Windows: File › Options › Advanced › Display › Show vertical ruler.

Need to measure something real?

Slide rulers show layout units, not physical size. To measure a printed card, photo or object, use the calibrated online ruler.

Measure it now with the free actual-size ruler.

Open the ruler

More guides