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AutoCAD Ctrl+9 Shortcut :Command Line.

If you need a clear, beginner-friendly guide to the Ctrl+9 shortcut in AutoCAD, this article explains what the shortcut does, how to use it step by step, alternative ways to show the Command Line, common reasons it may not work and how to fix them, practical tips, and a helpful FAQ.

What is the Ctrl+9 shortcut?

The Ctrl+9 keyboard shortcut in AutoCAD toggles the Command Line on and off. The Command Line is the interface that displays prompts, accepts typed commands, and shows command history and auto-complete suggestions. For many users it is the fastest way to interact with AutoCAD.

Key points:

  • Ctrl+9 = show/hide the Command Line.
  • The Command Line shows prompts, options, and autocomplete suggestions.
  • Toggling the Command Line does not delete commands or settings — it only hides or shows the UI.

How to use Ctrl+9 (Step by step)

  1. Make sure AutoCAD is the active window and you are not typing in another program.
  2. Press Ctrl+9 once.
    • If the Command Line is hidden, it will appear (usually docked at the bottom).
    • If the Command Line is visible, it will be hidden.
  3. If you want the Command Line to remain visible and docked:
    • Drag it to the desired edge until it snaps (typically the bottom) or use the docking button on the palette.
  4. If the Command Line does not appear, try one of the alternatives below.

Quick tip: press Ctrl+9 again to re-hide the Command Line.

Alternative ways to show the Command Line

If Ctrl+9 does not work or you prefer a menu/ribbon method, try any of these:

  • Type the command COMMANDLINE in the current input area (if you can) and press Enter. This toggles the Command Line.
  • Ribbon: go to View tab → Palettes panel → click Command Line.
  • Press F2 to open the Text Window (command history) for a larger history view. (F2 shows history but does not dock the command line.)
  • Use the Workspace/Interface menu: switch to a workspace that shows the Command Line or reset the workspace to default.
  • Reset AutoCAD UI: use the application menu or Start Menu shortcut Reset Settings to Default if the UI is badly corrupted.

Common reasons Ctrl+9 doesn’t work and how to fix them

  1. AutoCAD is not the active application

    • Fix: Click inside the AutoCAD window or press Alt+Tab to focus AutoCAD, then press Ctrl+9.

  2. Full-screen / Clean Screen mode is enabled (hides UI)

    • Fix: Press Ctrl+0 to toggle Clean Screen off, then press Ctrl+9.

  3. The Command Line is off-screen or detached

    • Fix: Type COMMANDLINE or use the Ribbon to bring it back. You may also undock other palettes or reset the workspace.

  4. The keyboard shortcut was removed or remapped in CUI

    • Fix: Open the CUI editor (type CUI), go to Keyboard Shortcuts > Shortcut Keys, and verify or reassign Ctrl+9 to the COMMANDLINE command.

  5. Corrupted profile or UI files

    • Fix: Reset AutoCAD settings to default via the Start Menu > AutoCAD > Reset Settings to Default or restore a saved profile.

  6. Third-party utility or OS-level shortcut intercepts Ctrl+9

    • Fix: Close utilities that might capture shortcuts, or change the conflicting shortcut in that program.

  7. Command Line appearance is transparent or minimized

    • Fix: Hover at screen bottom to reveal it or right-click the status bar > Command Line options and set visibility/docking.

If none of the above works, restarting AutoCAD or the computer often resolves transient UI issues.

Examples — before and after

Example 1 — Hidden Command Line (before)

  • Symptoms: no prompt visible, you must rely on Dynamic Input or ribbon for command options; typing commands feels blind.
  • Effect: slower command entry, no visible history.

Example 1 — Command Line visible (after pressing Ctrl+9)

  • Result: prompt appears at bottom, autocomplete suggestions show as you type, command history is visible and scrollable — faster and clearer workflow.

Example 2 — Command Line detached and off-screen (before)

  • Symptoms: pressing Ctrl+9 seems to do nothing because the palette is docked off-screen.
  • Fix: use COMMANDLINE or reset workspace to bring the palette back into view (afterwards dock to bottom).

Tips and best practices

  • Keep the Command Line docked at the bottom for the fastest workflow.
  • Use F2 when you need a larger command history to copy commands or options.
  • Enable AutoComplete and Command Suggestions in Options → User Preferences to speed typing.
  • Pin the Command Line (right-click title bar) to prevent accidental hiding.
  • If you often change workspaces, save a workspace that includes your docked Command Line layout.
  • Learn other shortcuts: Ctrl+0 (full-screen), F1 (help), and F2 (text window) can help when troubleshooting UI visibility.
  • If you customize keyboard shortcuts, document your changes so you can restore the default mapping if needed.

FAQ

How is Ctrl+9 different from F2?

Answer: Ctrl+9 toggles the visible Command Line palette. F2 opens a separate Text Window that displays the full command history in a larger, scrollable dialog. F2 is for reading or copying history; Ctrl+9 controls the main input area.

Can I reassign the Ctrl+9 shortcut to another key or restore it if removed?

Answer: Yes. Open the CUI editor (type CUI), go to Keyboard Shortcuts > Shortcut Keys, and add or edit a shortcut. To restore defaults, you can reset the AutoCAD profile or restore default CUI files.

Why can I still type commands even when the Command Line is hidden?

Answer: AutoCAD accepts typed commands even if the Command Line is hidden; however you won’t see prompts, options, or auto-complete suggestions until the Command Line or Dynamic Input is visible.

How do I recover the Command Line if it’s off-screen after changing monitors or resolution?

Answer: Use COMMANDLINE or switch workspaces to force it back. You can also reset the workspace or drag the palette back into view by temporarily lowering the resolution or using Windows’ window movement shortcuts (Alt+Space → Move).

Does Ctrl+9 work in AutoCAD LT and other AutoCAD-based products?

Answer: Yes. Ctrl+9 is a standard shortcut in most AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based products on Windows, including AutoCAD LT. If it doesn’t work, check workspace settings and the CUI.

How can I make the Command Line bigger or change font size?

Answer: Click the options icon on the Command Line (three horizontal lines or right-click) and choose Options or use Options dialog → Display and User Preferences to change font and size. You can also resize the docked palette by dragging its edges.

My Ctrl+9 toggles other behavior — what could cause that?

Answer: A third-party program or a custom CUI may have remapped Ctrl+9. Check the CUI for conflicting assignments, and verify whether other utilities are intercepting the shortcut at the OS level.

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