How to Use Rulers in Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft Publisher is the go-to Microsoft program when creating publications on a small scale. The rulers within the program help with your layout, placement of objects or pictures as well as help maintain balance on the publication.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Publisher, and choose a document style to create a new document or open an existing project. Microsoft Publisher has document examples for everything including website design and business cards. You can also start with a blank publication and create your own layout.

2. View the rulers in your document. The rulers are, by default, running horizontally across the top of your document and vertically along the left side of your document. If you do not automatically see the rulers, choose "Rulers" from the "View" drop-down menu along the top of your screen. Toggle the "Ruler" options to show and hide rulers within the document.

3. Hide the rulers quickly by right-clicking on ruler and de-selecting the "Ruler" option from the pop-up menu.

4. Customize the rulers using "Options" from the "Tools" drop-down menu. Make sure the "General" tab is active by clicking on it, and change the measurement shown on the rulers using the drop-down menu. Pixels, points and centimeters can be very useful when designing a publication.

5. Move your rulers using the "Master Page" option from the "View" menu. Within the "Master Page," position your mouse pointer over the edge of the ruler you want to move until you see the adjust pointer, which looks like two lines with opposite facings arrows on either side. Drag the guide to where you want on your publication. Make sure "Boundaries and Guides" and "Baseline Guides" are checked on the "View" menu.

6. Snap to the ruler guides by making sure "Ruler Guides" is checked under the "Snap" option of the "Arrange" menu.

7. Add a ruler guide quickly by selecting "Ruler Guides" from the "Arrange" menu and then adding either horizontal or vertical guides. Notice the ruler guides correspond to the ruler so if you need to place an object 1 inch from the top of the publication you can add a ruler guide to your publication at that distance. You can also clear the ruler guides by choosing "Clear All Ruler Guides" under the same drop-down menu.