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Excel 2016 - My pixels are smaller than your pixels?

Anonymous
2017-10-28T23:18:28+00:00

Hello,

This will seem quite odd, but when I set my columns to a specific pixel number, the corresponding decimal number is different than others.

Let me explain:

I am taking an Excel class.  A step in one of the tests tells me to set a specific column to a specific pixel number (180pixels).  After completing the test and submitting it for grading, the grader shows that I did that step incorrectly.  It states that column Z was not set to 21.71.  The test calls out pixels, but the grader calls out the decimal number (I apologize that I do not know if the number is inches, centimeters, or millimeters.  The option is set to "default").  I open up my Excel and set a column size of 180 pixels.  The corresponding decimal number is 15.73.

My view is set to 100%.  I am working on a new computer and I just installed Office 2016, so I have not had time to mess with either of them.  The display is set to 1920 x 1080 (the recommended setting).

Just for fun, I opened Excel 2016 on my old laptop, and 180 pixels equaled 25.00.  That would suggest that the Excel pixel count is not an internally referenced unit of measure, but it actually references the display settings on each device.  However, that seems incredibly dumb.  Why use a unit of measure dependent on any other factors?

I hope that I have not overlooked anything obvious.

I appreciate any thoughts or ideas about this dilemma.

Chris Coursey

P.S. If it matters, the OS is Windows 10.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-10-31T02:40:41+00:00

    Hi,

    1.  Yes, both displays are set to the same resolution.
    2.  Yes, the font size settings on both machines are identical.
    3.  Set the Microsoft XPS Document Writer as the default printer.
    4.  Changed the the fonts.

    There are so many ways to adjust what you see, it almost seems impossible to remember them all.

    I really wish that I could tell you that everything is as it should be, but there has been no change.  Well, I take that back.  Things did change, but they changed equally on both machines, and the numbers still do not match the reference document.

    Oh, well.  I really do appreciate all of the help and I understand if this issue dies here.  The grader claims that I am the only student that has ever mentioned this in however many years the current program has been in use.  It is just another odd occurance in a life of odd occurances for me.  I used to think it was the world that was wrong, but now I know it is me.

    Chris

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  2. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2017-10-30T05:10:50+00:00
    1. I am assuming that display resolution is same in both the computers. - Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Display\Screen Resolution
    2. Also check whether the font size on both the computers are same or not - Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Display
    3. For a moment, let's change the default printer to XPS on both the computers (revert back after the experimentation)

    Having said this, Calibri as default font is being reported to cause varying pixel reporting issue. KB3197954, rolled out on 27-Oct-16, is reported to have fixed this.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/400175...

    Source - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/fo...

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  3. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2017-10-29T04:47:32+00:00

    Pixel count (in Normal view) depends upon a number of factors -

    1. Display's resolution
    2. Zoom
    3. Print scaling

    Hence, you will see different pixels on different devices in Normal view.

    Page Layout view (in view tab) is the right place to show ruler measurements. You just hold the boundary of a column, it will show you width in inches and pixels. (If you want to change this inches, then file > options > advanced > Under display section, you can change ruler settings). Pixels will always show when drag or hold a column boundary.

    This Page Layout pixels will be constant across devices and this is what Pixels and other measurements really are.

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  4. DaveM121 880.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2017-10-29T08:40:18+00:00

    Vijay is correct, the error lies solely with the grader. He should know that the only consistent view across all PC's is in page layout view and that is where he should be judging your work !!

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  5. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2017-10-29T00:34:07+00:00

    Can you go into View > Page Layout tab and let us know whether it shows right values in both devices or not?

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