How to modify the units in Viso dimensioning.

Moore Caitlin 0 Reputation points
2026-08-17T00:44:52.6433333+00:00

When using Viso for dimensioning, the default is millimeters.

In "Page Settings," under "Page Properties," I changed the unit of measurement to "meters".

However, when dimensioning, millimeters are still displayed.

May I ask, where do I need to modify the attribute value so that every dimension is in meters?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Visio | For business | Windows
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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-17T00:45:03.87+00:00

    Change the units on the dimension shape itself, not only in Page Setup.

    For Visio dimensioning shapes, page measurement units and dimension-shape display units can be different. That is why changing Page Properties to meters does not automatically make existing dimension labels show meters.

    Use this method:

    1. Right-click the dimension shape in the diagram.
    2. Select Precision & Units.
    3. In Units, choose Meters.
    4. In Units Display, choose whether the unit text should be shown.
    5. Click OK.

    To make all Controller Dimension shapes on the page use meters by default:

    1. Configure one Controller Dimension shape with Precision & Units.
    2. Right-click that same shape.
    3. Select Set As Page Default.

    Important detail:

    • Controller Dimension and Architectural Dimensioning shapes can use a unit of measure that differs from the page default.
    • Some stencils/shapes keep their own default measurement units. In Visio, shapes from a stencil that uses metric units are measured in millimeters, and shapes from a stencil that uses US units are measured in feet and inches. After resizing a shape, the Size & Position values change to match the drawing’s measurement settings.

    If the goal is to show dimensions on the page, Visio Professional also supports changing a dimension shape’s measurement units by right-clicking the dimension shape and selecting Precision & Units.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Jade Ng 15,480 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-08-17T01:48:37.89+00:00

    Dear Moore Caitlin,

    If you have Visio Standard, you can display a shape’s dimensions by using fields linked to the shape’s height and width properties. For more information about using fields, see Use fields to keep displayed information current.

    If you have Visio Professional, you can use dimension shapes to show sizes. Dimension shapes show the size of the shape they’re glued to and are updated automatically when you resize the original shape.

    Please follow these steps below:

    • In the Shapes window, click More Shapes.
    • Point to Visio Extras, and then click Dimensioning-Architectural or Dimensioning-Engineering.
    • Drag a dimension shape to the shape you want to measure and glue the ends of the dimension shape to the points you want to measure.
    • Select one of the dimension shapes in your drawing.
    • Right-click the dimension shape and choose Precision & Units.

    Untitled

    • Under Units, select Meters.
    • Adjust Units Display and Precision as needed, then select OK.
    • If you want all new dimension shapes on the page to use meters, right-click the configured dimension shape and choose Set As Page Default.

    Untitled

    For more reference:

    I hope these steps are helpful. Please try them and let me know how it goes. If the issue continues, please reach out again and let me know and we can work together to get this resolved.

    Thank you for your patience and understanding and I look forward to continuing the conversation.

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