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AutoCAD Ctrl+[ Shortcut: Cancel current command (or ctrl+)

If you need a clear, beginner-friendly guide to using the Ctrl+[ shortcut in AutoCAD — how it works, how to use it step by step, why it sometimes fails and what alternatives exist — this article explains everything with practical tips and troubleshooting.

What is the Ctrl+[ shortcut in AutoCAD?

The Ctrl+[ shortcut in AutoCAD is a keyboard shortcut that cancels the current command, effectively acting like the Esc key. When you press Ctrl+[, AutoCAD aborts the active command and returns you to the default cursor state so you can continue drawing or start a new command.

  • Key idea: Ctrl+[ = Cancel current command (same effect as Esc).
  • Use case: Stop a command mid-action (for example, cancel a partially drawn line, a selection, or a command that you started by mistake).

How to use the Ctrl+[ shortcut — Step by step

Basic usage

  1. Start any command (for example, type LINE and click to begin drawing).
  2. While the command is active (AutoCAD is waiting for points or input), press Ctrl+[ once.
  3. The command will be cancelled. Check the command line — it should show a message like “Command: Canceled“ or simply return to the ready prompt.

Examples

  • Drawing a line: Start LINE → click first point → decide not to continue → press Ctrl+[ → the LINE command is cancelled and no extra segments are created.
  • Starting Hatch: Start HATCH → pick area or pattern → change your mind → press Ctrl+[ → HATCH dialog/command stops.
  • During selection or grip editing: If a selection or edit operation is active, Ctrl+[ cancels the selection/edit and returns you to normal cursor mode.

Notes on behavior

  • If you are typing a command name and have not yet pressed Enter, Ctrl+[ cancels that entry as well.
  • If focus is inside an editor (for example, the multi-line text editor), keyboard handling may be different — see troubleshooting.

Alternative methods to cancel a command

If Ctrl+[ isn’t convenient or available, you can cancel commands with:

  • Esc key — the most common alternative (identical effect).
  • Right-click — in many contexts right-click shows a context menu with Cancel or Exit options.
  • Clicking the Cancel or Close button in a dialog or dynamic input box (when present).
  • Using the command line: press Esc and type nothing, or press Enter to finish a command (note: Enter sometimes repeats the last command rather than canceling).
  • Remap a custom keyboard shortcut using the CUI (Customize User Interface) if you prefer a different key combination.

Why the Ctrl+[ shortcut may not work (common causes) — and fixes

Here are common reasons AutoCAD users find Ctrl+[ unresponsive, with practical fixes:

  • Focus is not on AutoCAD

    • Symptom: Pressing keys does nothing or affects the OS/browser.
    • Fix: Click inside the drawing area or command line to restore focus.

  • Keyboard shortcut overridden or removed in CUI

    • Symptom: Ctrl+[ has no effect, or a different action occurs.
    • Fix: Open CUI, search for keyboard shortcuts, and reassign Ctrl+[ to the CANCEL command or restore the default workspace.

  • Third-party software intercepting hotkeys (AutoHotkey, global utilities, remote desktop clients)

    • Symptom: Key behaves differently system-wide or only in AutoCAD.
    • Fix: Temporarily disable third-party hotkey tools or reconfigure them to exclude AutoCAD.

  • Running a text editor or a modal dialog (MTEXT editor, dialog boxes)

    • Symptom: Ctrl+[ performs editor-specific actions or is ignored while a dialog is open.
    • Fix: Close or accept the dialog/editor, or use the dialog’s own Cancel button.

  • Faulty keyboard or regional keyboard layout

    • Symptom: Certain key combinations fail.
    • Fix: Test another keyboard, check Windows keyboard layout settings, try external USB keyboard.

  • Corrupt user profile or customized CUI file

    • Symptom: Multiple shortcuts misbehave.
    • Fix: Reset AutoCAD profile to defaults or import a known-good CUI/profile. Use the AutoCAD “Reset Settings to Default” option if needed.

  • Remote desktop or virtual environment mapping differences

    • Symptom: Shortcut works locally but not over RDP.
    • Fix: Adjust RDP keyboard mapping settings or use the remote client’s key passthrough settings.

How to remap or restore Ctrl+[ in AutoCAD (quick guide)

  1. Type CUI and press Enter to open the Customize User Interface dialog.
  2. In the Command List or Keyboard Shortcuts section, locate or create a shortcut.
  3. Assign the Ctrl+[ key combination to the CANCEL or equivalent key-in.
  4. Save and Apply changes, then test in the drawing area.

If in doubt, restore the default workspace or import the default CUI to recover standard shortcuts.

Practical tips and best practices

  • Learn both Esc and Ctrl+[ — using either is fine; Esc is more universal and commonly used.
  • If you frequently cancel nested or multi-step commands, consider adding a visible Cancel button to your workspace or creating a toolbar macro for quick access.
  • Keep your CUI organized and back up custom shortcut configurations so you can restore them if a profile becomes corrupted.
  • Test shortcuts after installing new utilities (AutoHotkey scripts, keyboard managers) to avoid conflicts.
  • Use the command line to confirm cancellation (look for “Command: Canceled“).

Examples — before and after using Ctrl+[

Example 1 — LINE command

  • Before: You have clicked the first point and AutoCAD prompts: “Specify next point or [Undo]:”
  • Action: Press Ctrl+[
  • After: LINE command ends; the last segment is not created and the command line shows the ready prompt.

Example 2 — Hatch command

  • Before: HATCH is active with pattern dialog or preview open.
  • Action: Press Ctrl+[ (or Esc)
  • After: HATCH stops, preview closes, and you return to the drawing cursor.

These simple before/after flows illustrate how Ctrl+[ provides a fast way to abort any unwanted action.

FAQ

Is Ctrl+[ exactly the same as the Esc key in AutoCAD?

Yes — in most cases Ctrl+[ functions the same as Esc and will cancel the current command. Use whichever is more comfortable.

Can I remap Ctrl+[ to another action?

Yes. Use the CUI (Customize User Interface) to assign Ctrl+[ to a different key-in or to restore it to CANCEL if it was changed.

Why does Ctrl+[ sometimes type characters instead of canceling?

If the drawing area has lost focus or you are inside a text editor/dialog, keystrokes may be routed to the editor or the operating system. Click in the drawing area or close the dialog to restore normal behavior.

Does Ctrl+[ work in AutoCAD LT and other AutoCAD versions?

Yes. Ctrl+[ is a standard Windows-style keyboard shortcut in AutoCAD and most flavor versions (including AutoCAD LT). If it doesn’t work, check profile/customization differences or software conflicts.

What should I do if third-party software is intercepting Ctrl+[?

Temporarily disable that third-party tool (e.g., AutoHotkey or a keyboard utility) or configure it to exclude AutoCAD so the shortcut is handled by AutoCAD instead.

Will pressing Enter cancel a command like Ctrl+[?

No. Enter typically confirms or repeats a command (it’s often used to accept input or repeat the last command). Use Esc or Ctrl+[ to cancel.

How can I verify that Ctrl+[ is currently mapped to cancel in my AutoCAD?

Open CUI, search for keyboard shortcuts or the CANCEL command, and confirm that the Ctrl+[ key combination is linked to that command.

If resetting AutoCAD settings doesn’t restore Ctrl+[, what else can I try?

Try testing with a different keyboard, check for OS-level hotkey conflicts, remove third-party utilities, or reinstall/repair AutoCAD if the behavior persists across profiles and machines.

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