Default column pixel width in Excel

[AIKatz]

Hi. I know that the default column width in Excel comes to 8.11 characters, and 64 pixels - but our 8.11 measure yields 80 pixels. How can one explain the discrepancy? Thanks!

 

[GlennUK]

Because Excel tries to have widths in distance ( inches originally ), and pixels per inch can be different.

Cheers, Glenn.

Did you hear about the literalist show-jumper? He broke his nose jumping against the clock.

 

[AIKatz]

Thanks much for your reply - but aren't pixels fixed units? How can I regain the original default?

Abbott

 

[byundt]

AIKatz,
Pixels do not have a fixed relationship to length. Points, which are commonly used in the printing industry, do have a fixed relationship (72/inch).

Strictly speaking, pixels are the little dots of light on the screen of your monitor. The original standard was approximately 70 pixels per inch on the Macintosh. But then CRT manufacturers began to compete on the basis of smaller dot pitch (more pixels per inch), even though that made the text smaller and harder to read. Despite this issue, Windows adopted a standard around 90 pixels/inch--and then chose the number of pixels per standard character so it was the same size as on the Macintosh.

For more discussion, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixels_per_inch

Since more pixels per inch gives a sharper image (all other factors being equal), why would you want to change your existing setting for lower resolution? Nevertheless, if you insist on changing it back, you do that using the Display control panel. Go to the Settings tab, and change to "Less" screen resolution.

Brad

 

[AIKatz]

Thanks for your reply - I suspected screen resolution was involved.

Abbott