Obliquely evaporated Ni films were studied by spectrophotometry, SQUID magnetometry, and de electrical measurements. The results could be qualitatively understood from the presence of an inclined columnar microstructure with shape anisotropy governing the depolarization and demagnetization of the electric and magnetic fields. The anisotropy became marked for off-normal vapour incidence angles exceeding 50 to 60 degrees.