If you need a clear, practical guide to using the activityinsightsclose command in AutoCAD, this article explains what the command does, how to run it step‑by‑step, common reasons it may fail and reliable alternatives and fixes. Examples, tips and a FAQ are included to help beginners and intermediate users.
What is the activityinsightsclose command?
The ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE command in AutoCAD closes the Activity Insights palette, the interface element that shows recent events, collaboration updates, and activity related to the current drawing. Use this command when you want to remove the palette from the screen to regain drawing area or to hide activity notifications.
Explanation of the Activity Insights palette
- The Activity Insights palette is a dockable pane that displays a timeline or list of events for the current drawing (for example, saved versions, collaborator activity, cloud sync messages or other drawing-related events depending on your AutoCAD edition and setup).
- It can be docked, floating, or auto-hidden. Closing it removes it from view; you can re-open it later if needed.
- The availability and exact behavior of the palette depend on your AutoCAD version, installed modules, and workspace configuration.
How to use activityinsightsclose (step by step)
- Open the drawing in AutoCAD where the palette is visible.
- Make sure the Command Line is visible (press F2 or Ctrl+9 if needed).
- Type ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE (you can type the first few letters and press Tab to autocomplete) and press Enter.
- Example: type ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE and press Enter.
- The Activity Insights palette should close immediately. If the palette was docked, it will disappear from the docking area and your drawing space will expand.
Shortcut tips:
- Use Tab for command autocomplete.
- Use Esc to cancel typed commands.
- You can create an alias for faster access (see the Tips section).
Alternative ways to close the Activity Insights palette
- Close via the palette window:
- Click the X in the palette title bar or right‑click the palette title and choose Close.
- Use the ribbon or menu (varies by version):
- Look under the View tab → Palettes or a similarly named panel and toggle Activity Insights off.
- If the palette is hidden or auto–hidden, hover to show it and click the X to close.
- Reset or change workspace:
- Switching to a different workspace (e.g., from Drafting & Annotation to 3D Basics) may hide the palette.
- Create a custom alias or script:
- Add a shorter alias through the CUI editor that calls the ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE command.
Why activityinsightsclose might not work (errors and fixes)
Common reason: Command not recognized
- Symptom: AutoCAD returns “Unknown command” or similar.
- Fixes:
- Check for typos; use Tab to autocomplete.
- Verify your AutoCAD version supports the Activity Insights feature — some versions or vertical products may not include it.
- If the command belongs to an add‑on or a plug‑in, ensure that add‑on is installed and loaded.
Common reason: Palette already closed or hidden
- Symptom: Running the command appears to do nothing.
- Fixes:
- Confirm the palette is visible first. If it’s already closed or set to auto‑hide, there’s nothing to close.
- Check for a floating palette off-screen (use Window → Cascade or reset workspaces).
Common reason: Command conflicts or customizations
- Symptom: Typing the command calls a different routine or nothing happens.
- Fixes:
- Open CUI (Customize User Interface) and search for ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE to confirm the command is mapped correctly.
- Reassign or re-create the command in CUI if needed.
- If you added custom aliases, ensure none collide with system commands.
Common reason: Workspace or UI corruption
- Symptom: Palettes behave strangely or cannot be closed.
- Fixes:
- Reset the workspace to default via the workspace menu.
- Run REGEN, save and restart AutoCAD.
- If problems persist, run Repair from the AutoCAD installer or reinstall.
Permissions or cloud sync issues
- Symptom: Palette shows syncing errors, or activity list doesn’t update; closing fails due to UI lock.
- Fixes:
- Check that your network / cloud connection is stable.
- Sign out and sign back in to your Autodesk account in AutoCAD.
- Update AutoCAD to the latest patch.
Practical examples (before and after)
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Before: The Activity Insights palette is docked on the right, showing multiple events and taking up workspace.
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Action: Run ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE at the command line and press Enter.
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After: The palette disappears, giving you a larger drawing area and fewer notifications on screen.
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Alternative: Right‑click the palette title and select Close — same result as running the command.
Tips and best practices
- Use Tab to autocomplete long command names like ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE.
- Create a short alias (via CUI → Keyboard Shortcuts → Aliases) such as AICLOSE that runs “._ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE” for faster access.
- If you frequently switch between showing and hiding palettes, create a small script or toolbar button to toggle the palette visibility.
- Keep AutoCAD updated to ensure palette features and related commands work correctly.
- If multiple users share the same workspace, document workspace customizations (including palette visibility) to keep UI consistent.
- Use workspaces to save preferred layouts (palettes open/closed) for different workflows.
How do I reopen the Activity Insights palette after closing it?
To reopen, search your ribbon under View → Palettes (or similar) and enable Activity Insights, or type the command used to open it (often ACTIVITYINSIGHTS or a similar open command depending on your AutoCAD version). If unsure, use the workspace or UI menus to locate the palette.
What if AutoCAD says “Unknown command” when I type ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE?
This typically means the command isn’t available in your current AutoCAD installation or you mistyped it. Verify spelling, use Tab to autocomplete, check your AutoCAD version and installed modules, and look in the CUI editor to confirm the command exists.
Can I create a keyboard shortcut or alias for this command?
Yes. Open CUI (Customize User Interface), add a new alias under Keyboard Shortcuts → Aliases, and point it to “._ACTIVITYINSIGHTSCLOSE” (or the exact internal command name on your system). Save and test the alias.
Why does the Activity Insights palette reappear after I close it?
Some workspaces, add‑ons, or start‑up scripts may reopen certain palettes. Check your workspace settings, startup routines (LISP, scripts), and docked tool palettes. Save a workspace with the palette closed to preserve your preferred layout.
Is Activity Insights available in all AutoCAD versions?
Not necessarily. The Activity Insights feature and its related commands may vary by AutoCAD release and product (e.g., AutoCAD LT or specialized toolsets). If you can’t find it, consult Autodesk release notes or product documentation for your specific version.