Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Converting Inches to Points.

Converting Inches to Points

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 24, 2018)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003


A point is a typographical measurement that is quite small. Points are used to specify many typographical elements, such as font size and line spacing. This means that when writing macros, it may be helpful to convert from a familiar measurement (such as inches) to the equivalent measurement in points.

There are approximately 72 points per inch. This means that you could simply multiply a measurement in inches by 72 in order to derive a result. However, VBA also provides a method that does the conversion for you. Simply use the InchesToPoints method, as follows:

Selection.ParagraphFormat.SpaceAfter = InchesToPoints(0.1)

This example sets the space after a paragraph equal to one-tenth of an inch. VBA takes care of the necessary conversion from inches to points.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the WordTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1448) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Converting Inches to Points.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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