AutoCAD F2 Shortcut :Toggle text screen

If you want a clear, beginner-friendly guide to the F2 shortcut in AutoCAD — what it does, how to use it step by step, why it may sometimes fail, alternate methods, practical tips and quick fixes — this guide covers everything.

What is the F2 shortcut?

The F2 key in AutoCAD toggles the expanded command history window (often called the Text Screen or text window). When you press F2, AutoCAD opens a larger, scrollable window that contains the full list of recent commands, prompts, and output. Press F2 again to close the window.

• Purpose: view, scroll, select and copy long command history or multi-line messages that are hard to read in the small command line.
• Typical use cases: reviewing long sequences of commands, troubleshooting scripts or LISP routines, copying command output into another document.

How to use F2 — Step by step

1. Make sure your drawing is active and AutoCAD has focus.
2. Press the F2 key on your keyboard.
   • The Text Window (expanded command history) appears as a separate, scrollable overlay.
3. Review the text: you can scroll with the mouse wheel or the scrollbar to see older entries.
4. To copy text: click inside the Text Window, use your mouse to highlight the text, then press Ctrl+C (or right-click and choose Copy).
5. Paste the text where needed (e.g., Notepad, an email, a bug report) with Ctrl+V.
6. Press F2 again (or click the close icon) to hide the Text Window and return to the normal command line.

Notes:

• If you need to review only the immediate command line, use the regular command line at the bottom of the screen. The F2 Text Window is for the expanded history.

Examples — before and after using F2

• Before F2: you see only a short, single-line command prompt at the bottom. Long messages wrap and older entries are not visible.
• After F2: a large text area appears showing the full sequence of commands, prompts and returned values; you can copy a block of text (for example, a long error message or the output of a script) and paste it to a text editor.

Why F2 might not work — common causes and fixes

1. Keyboard Function (Fn) lock or laptop Fn behavior

   • Cause: Many laptops require holding Fn or have an Fn-lock so F-keys send media functions instead of F1–F12.
   • Fix: Press the keyboard’s Fn Lock key (often labeled Fn+Esc), or hold Fn while pressing F2. Change the BIOS/UEFI setting to swap function key behavior if available.

2. Operating system or manufacturer hotkeys intercepting F2

   • Cause: OEM utilities (e.g., keyboard utilities from HP, Dell, Lenovo) or OS hotkeys can capture F2 before AutoCAD receives it.
   • Fix: Disable or reconfigure the manufacturer hotkeys, or close the utility while using AutoCAD.

3. F2 remapped in AutoCAD (custom CUI or LISP)

   • Cause: A custom profile, LISP or CUI customization may have reassigned or disabled F2.
   • Fix: Open the CUI editor (type CUI), check keyboard shortcuts > Shortcut Keys, and restore or reassign F2 to the command that opens the expanded command history.

4. Remote desktop or virtualization intercepting function keys

   • Cause: Remote access tools or virtual machine settings may capture F-keys.
   • Fix: Enable “bring function keys to remote session” in the remote desktop client, or press the appropriate host-key combo.

5. Command line hidden or docked in unusual UI state

   • Cause: Command line panel is hidden, minimized, or placed on a separate monitor.
   • Fix: Press Ctrl+9 to toggle the command line. If the command line is undocked, drag it back or type COMMANDLINE to restore it.

6. Corrupted profile or interface settings

   • Cause: User profile issues can affect shortcuts.
   • Fix: Reset AutoCAD to default settings (use the “Reset Settings to Default” shortcut in the Windows Start menu for your AutoCAD version) or create a new profile.

Alternative ways to view or manage the command line and history

• Press Ctrl+9 — toggles the standard Command Line on/off. Useful if the small command bar is hidden.
• Type COMMANDLINE at the prompt and press Enter — opens or anchors the command line.
• Right‑click on the command line (when visible) — some AutoCAD versions provide options to access Command History or open the text window from the context menu.
• Use the Command Window palette or dock the command line as a separate panel for continuous visibility.
• Copy commands directly from the command line (in many versions you can select and copy short content without opening F2).

Tips and best practices

• Use F2 when you need to copy multiple lines of output (errors, coordinates, script logs).
• If you frequently inspect long command history, consider docking the command line or increasing its height for easier reading.
• On laptops, enable a permanent Fn-lock if you rely on function keys in CAD workflows.
• If you capture command output to report a bug or share with colleagues, paste into a plain-text editor (Notepad) first to strip formatting.
• Create a custom shortcut in CUI if you prefer a different key or macro to open the Text Window.

FAQ

How do I copy only part of the command history using F2?

Open the Text Window with F2, click and drag to select the lines you want, then press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste into a text editor.

Can I reassign F2 to another function in AutoCAD?

Yes. Open the CUI editor (type CUI), go to Keyboard Shortcuts > Shortcut Keys, add or edit a shortcut and assign a different key or macro. Be careful to avoid conflicts with essential function keys.

Does F2 affect multi-line text editing (MTEXT) in AutoCAD?

No. F2 controls the command history Text Window. To edit MTEXT, use MTEDIT or the multi-line text editor (double-click an MTEXT object or use DDEDIT / ED depending on version).

Why does pressing F2 open my laptop’s brightness/media control instead of the Text Window?

Many laptops use F-keys for hardware controls by default. Toggle the Fn Lock, hold Fn while pressing F2, or change the keyboard function behavior in your BIOS/UEFI or manufacturer utility.

Is there a way to automatically keep the command history visible without pressing F2?

You can dock the Command Line as a larger panel or use a floating command window to keep more history visible. Some users configure the command line height and undock it for persistent visibility.

My F2 opens nothing even though the command line is visible — what should I check?

Check for custom CUI mappings or LISP routines that may have disabled or reassigned F2. Also verify that no external software is intercepting F2. Try resetting AutoCAD settings to default if other fixes fail.