AUTOCAD Line Command

The AutoCAD Command Line

• Keyboard Commands
• Embedded Prompts
• Moving & Docking the Command Line
  • Moving the Command Line
  • Docking & Undocking the Command Line
• Closing and Opening the Command Line
  • Closing the Command Line
  • Opening the Command Line
• Expanding & Shrinking the Command Line
• Customizing the Command Line
  • Input Settings
  • Input Search Options
    • AutoComplete Options
    • Search System Variables / Suggestion List Delay Time Options
    • Search Content Options
  • The Options Dialog Box

 

The AutoCAD Command line is like a combined control panel and index of all AutoCAD commands you run – and have run – on your drawing. When you type a keyboard command, you're using the Command line. It's also the source of prompts that are embedded into AutoCAD commands.

 

In a default install of AutoCAD, the Command line is located in the bottom left corner of the CAD interface. Here's what it looks like:

 

 

On this page, we'll show you a few basic pointers on using the Command line.

Keyboard Commands

The basic function of the Command line is the ability to type keyboard commands. To type a command, place your cursor in the Command line and type that command.

 

 

For example, if you want to draw a line, begin typing the word "Line" in the Command line. As you type more letters, a menu will appear above the command line listing suggested commands that begin with those letters.

 

 

Thus, when you type "Li," you'll see the menu shown below. You can continue typing your command or select it from the menu. In this case, we can select Line.

 

 

 

You can also type your entire command and press Enter or the space bar to run it. 

Newer versions of AutoCAD offer a de facto Command line throughout the entire CAD interface. Simply begin typing with CAD active, and you'll see your command, along with the menu shown above, in the location of your cursor. Once you run the command, you'll see any embedded commands in the actual Command line. (See below.)

Embedded Prompts

Many AutoCAD and Land F/X commands have embedded prompts that call for additional actions on your part once you've run the command.

 

 

For example, when you run the Line command, you'll see a prompt to Specify first point.

 

 

In this case, you can either type coordinates for a starting point for your line, or simply begin drawing the line.

 

 

 

Pay attention to the Command line when you use any command or tool. In most cases, you'll continue to see embedded commands that you can then follow to proceed with the command.

Moving & Docking the Command Line

In your default installation, the Command line is undocked, allowing you to move it freely throughout your CAD interface. You can also choose to dock it into place, which we recommend.

 

Moving the Command Line

 

To move the Command line, grab it at the two rows of dots in the top left corner.

 

 

You can then move it wherever you see fit.

 

 

 

Docking & Undocking the Command Line

We recommend docking the Command line, which affixes it to the bottom or top of your CAD interface. An undocked Command line can float off screen or otherwise get lost.

 

To dock the Command line, grab it by the two rows of dots (as shown above), and drag it all the way to the bottom or top of your CAD interface. A docked Command line will look like this:

 

Command line docked at the bottom of the screen

Command line docked at the top of the screen

 

 

 

To undock the Command line, click the two rows of dots, or simply within the dark gray area surrounding them, as pictured to the left.

Closing and Opening the Command Line

Closing the Command Line

 

To close the Command line, click the X on its left end.

 

 

 

You'll now see the dialog box pictured to the left.

 

 

Click Yes to close the Command line.

 

 

 

Opening the Command Line

To open the Command line, type Command Line anywhere in your CAD interface. Then press Enter. The Command line will reappear.

 

You can also open the Command line by holding down the CTRL + 9 keys.

Expanding & Shrinking the Command Line

You can control the height of the Command line by grabbing the top line and moving it up or down.

 

 

 

To change the height of the Command line, hover your mouse on its top border.

 

 

 

The cursor will turn into a set of up and down arrows. Grab the line and drag it upward to expand it and show more of your past commands. Drag it downward to shrink it and show fewer commands.