Hi,

Have you seen the help topic titled "Change the default unit of measure"?

You can set the default unit of measure (for example, inches or points
(point: Unit of measure referring to the height of a printed character. A
point equals 1/72 of an inch, or approximately 1/28 of a centimeter.)) that
Microsoft Word uses for measurements you enter in dialog boxes and for the
Word rulers.

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the General tab.
2. In the Measurement units box, click the option you want.

HTH,
Dave

In Word, click on Tools | Options | General | Measurement units:
<choose your preferred unit of measure> | OK.  If Word won't let
you change the setting there, then see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299339 "You cannot change
ruler measurement unit from character units after upgrade to
Office XP" or http://www.gmayor.com/Character_Units.htm .