How to Bring Back a Missing Command Line in AutoCAD

Problem: The command line (the text input bar) in AutoCAD has suddenly disappeared. Many new AutoCAD users panic when this happens, but don’t worry. This issue is actually common and usually caused by an accidental interface toggle or the command window getting lost off-screen (especially on multi-monitor setups). In fact, one of the most frequent culprits is inadvertently pressing the Ctrl+9 key combination, which hides the command line. The good news is that the fix is simple and quick, and we’ll walk you through it step by step.

Why Did My Command Line Disappear?

Before diving into the solution, it helps to understand why the command line might go missing in the first place:

• Accidental Toggle: AutoCAD has a keyboard shortcut that shows or hides the command line. If you (perhaps unknowingly) pressed Ctrl + 9, it will toggle the command line off or on. This is likely what happened – a single keystroke can make the command bar vanish.

• Off-Screen or Undocked: If you use multiple monitors or had the command window floating, it might have been dragged off the visible screen area. This makes it appear “missing” even though it’s still technically open. An undocked command line can get lost off the edge of your display.

• Dynamic Input Disabled: AutoCAD’s Dynamic Input feature (which shows command prompts near your cursor) might be off. In that case, if the command line is hidden, you won’t see any feedback at all when typing commands, which can be confusing. (Dynamic Input is toggled with the F12 key by default.)

Understanding these causes can reassure you that nothing is “broken” with AutoCAD – the command line is either hidden or not visible in your current view. Next, we’ll cover how to bring it back.

Quick Fix: Toggle the Command Line Back On

The fastest way to restore the missing command line is to use AutoCAD’s built-in toggle:

• Press Ctrl + 9 on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut turns the command line display on or off. In most cases, hitting Ctrl+9 once will bring the command line window back immediately. (On AutoCAD for Mac, the equivalent shortcut is Cmd + 3 to show/hide the command bar.)

If you still don’t see the command line after pressing Ctrl+9, try pressing it twice in a row. The first keypress may have turned it off (if it was somehow still on but off-screen), and the second press will toggle it on again. AutoCAD experts note that pressing Ctrl+9 a second time usually forces the command window to reappear within the application window. Once it pops back, you can drag it and dock it where you like.

• Type the COMMANDLINE command: As an alternative, you can simply type the word COMMANDLINE (even if you can’t see where you’re typing) and press Enter. This does the same thing – it toggles the command line on. AutoCAD will bring the command line window back when you run the COMMANDLINE command. Don’t worry if you can’t see the text as you type; AutoCAD is still accepting your input in the background. (Tip: Even with the command window hidden, you can enter commands — the software will register them. For example, typing CUI or COMMANDLINE and hitting Enter will work, even though you can’t see the command line.)

• Check Dynamic Input: If you pressed Ctrl+9 and still feel like nothing happened, check whether Dynamic Input is enabled. Look at the status bar for the Dynamic Input button (often an icon of a crosshair with text, or use F12). If it’s off, turn it on. Dynamic Input will show a small command prompt near your cursor, which lets you see what you’re typing if the main command line is hidden. Many users who have both the command line and dynamic input turned off will see no feedback when entering commands, which can be alarming. Enabling one or the other will let you know that AutoCAD is responding to your keystrokes.

In the vast majority of cases, pressing Ctrl+9 is the “magic” fix to bring back your missing command line. Countless forum posts from beginners have been resolved simply by this toggle. As one AutoCAD user put it, “Quick Fix = CTRL + 9” when the command line disappears.

Advanced Fix: Restore the Command Line via CUI (Customise User Interface)

If the simple toggle doesn’t solve the issue (for example, if the command line window is stuck off-screen or its position got corrupted), you can use AutoCAD’s Customise User Interface (CUI) editor to retrieve it. This method is a bit more involved but still straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Open the CUI Editor: Type CUI and press Enter. (You can do this even without the command line visible – just type the letters and hit Enter; the command will run regardless.) This opens the Customise User Interface dialog. It may take a moment to appear.

2. Select Your Workspace: In the CUI dialog, find the Workspaces section in the upper-left panel. Click the plus (+) to expand Workspaces, and select the workspace that is marked as current (your active workspace). This ensures you are editing the correct workspace settings.

3. Locate the Command Line in Palettes: Still in the CUI dialog, look at the upper-right panel. Expand the Palettes category (these are UI elements like toolbars, ribbon, command line, etc.) and scroll down until you see “Command Line” in the list. Click on Command Line to select it.

4. Change the Command Line Properties: With “Command Line” selected, look at the lower-right panel which shows its properties. Find the property for Orientation (this controls where the command line is located/docked). Change the Orientation setting to Bottom (dock to bottom of the screen). This is the default and typically where the command line should be. You may also ensure the Show property is set to “Yes” (if such an option exists).

5. Apply and OK: Click the Apply button, then OK to close the CUI editor. After applying the bottom orientation, the command line should reappear, docked at the bottom of your AutoCAD window (just above the status bar, as expected). If it was off-screen, it will be pulled back into view.

   • Note: Occasionally, you might have to try a slightly different tweak in CUI (for example, set the orientation to “Top” then back to “Bottom” and hit Apply) to force AutoCAD to reset the window’s position. But in most cases, simply setting it to Bottom and applying works.

Using the CUI method essentially resets where the command line lives in your workspace. Once you see the command line again, you can move or resize it as needed. Be sure to drag it by the dotted grip bar and dock it at the bottom of the screen so it’s locked in place. After doing this, we strongly recommend saving your workspace (use the WSAVE command or the workspace menu) so that your interface layout is preserved. That way, if anything ever disappears again, you can quickly switch to your saved workspace to restore it.

Pro Tip: Preventing the Command Line from Vanishing

After you get the command line back, you can take a couple of steps to prevent this scare in the future:

• Dock the Command Line: Always keep the command line docked at the bottom of the AutoCAD window (instead of floating). A docked command line is much harder to lose. If it’s floating and you happen to move it off-screen or close it, it disappears from view. AutoCAD documentation recommends docking it because an undocked command line can easily “float off screen or otherwise get lost”. Docking anchors it in place.

• Lock the UI (Optional): AutoCAD has a system variable called LOCKUI that can lock the positions of toolbars and windows. If you tend to accidentally drag or close UI elements, setting LOCKUI to 1 (or another value that locks docked panels) can help. This isn’t necessary for everyone, but it’s good to know the option exists. When active, it will prevent you from accidentally closing the command line with a stray click or keystroke.

• Save Your Workspace: As mentioned, save your workspace configuration after you have things set up properly. Give it a name (e.g., “My Workspace”). If the command line or other interface elements go missing later, you can simply reapply your saved workspace from the View > Workspaces menu or with the WSCURRENT command. This can instantly bring back missing panels or windows to the saved positions.

By following these tips, you minimise the chance of the command window disappearing again. And even if it does, you’ll now know exactly how to bring it back in seconds.

Conclusion: Don’t Panic – It’s an Easy Fix

The AutoCAD command line is a crucial tool, especially for beginners learning to type commands. When it goes missing, it can be frustrating – but as we’ve shown, the solution is usually just a keypress away. Whether it was a stray Ctrl+9 press or a workspace quirk, you can confidently restore your command bar using the steps above. This quick fix not only solves your immediate problem but also demonstrates a bit of AutoCAD’s flexibility in customising the interface.

By promptly fixing a common issue like this, you’ve taken a step toward becoming a more self-sufficient AutoCAD user. And remember, the more you learn about the software’s ins and outs, the more productive and comfortable you’ll become.

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