In Word, click on Tools | Options | General | Measurement units:
Inches | OK. If that doesn't work, 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 .

GrapeTV wrote:

For some reason, my horizontal ruler measurement has changed from inches (")
to pt (pt). This is also the case in the page set up. I have not been able
to figure out how to get my margin measurement to default back to inches (").
Help!