Have you ever encountered the frustrating situation where a window in AutoCAD is completely off your screen, making it impossible to access or move? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
This issue can be quite common, especially if you work with multiple monitors or frequently switch between different display configurations. In this tutorial, we’ll explore some simple steps to easily move a window that is off-screen in AutoCAD.
Using the Taskbar
If you have accidentally moved a window off your screen, the first thing you should try is using the taskbar. Follow these steps:
- Step 1: Locate the AutoCAD icon on your Windows taskbar. This may be pinned to the taskbar or hidden within the “More” section.
- Step 2: Right-click on the AutoCAD icon and select “Move” from the context menu.
- Step 3: Use your arrow keys to move the window back onto your visible screen.
You can press any arrow key once and then use your mouse to bring back the window. Alternatively, you can use only your arrow keys to carefully move the window.
- Step 4: Once the window is visible again, press Enter on your keyboard to finalize its new position.
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If using the taskbar doesn’t work or if you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, there’s another option available:
- Step 1: Ensure that the off-screen window is selected (click on its title bar if necessary).
- Step 2: Press Alt + Space simultaneously on your keyboard. This will open the window’s system menu.
- Step 3: Select “Move” from the system menu by pressing M on your keyboard or using the arrow keys to navigate to the “Move” option and then pressing Enter.
- Step 4: Use your arrow keys to bring back the window onto your visible screen. You can also use your mouse in combination with arrow keys if needed.
- Step 5: Once the window is back, press Enter to finalize its new position.
Using Cascade or Tile Windows
If both the taskbar and keyboard shortcuts fail, you can try using AutoCAD’s built-in cascade or tile windows feature:
- Step 1: Make sure AutoCAD is active and not minimized. If it’s minimized, click on its icon on the taskbar to restore it.
- Step 2: Right-click on any empty space within AutoCAD’s application window.
- Step 3: From the context menu that appears, select either “Cascade Windows” or “Tile Vertically/Tile Horizontally” depending on your preference.
Cascade Windows
If you choose cascade windows, AutoCAD will arrange all open windows in a cascading manner, with each subsequent window shifted slightly downward and to the right from the previous one. You can then locate and move the off-screen window as needed.
Tile Vertically/Tile Horizontally
If you choose tile vertically or tile horizontally, AutoCAD will resize and arrange all open windows side by side either vertically or horizontally, respectively. This can help bring the off-screen window back into view.
Regardless of which option you choose, once the off-screen window is visible, you can move it by clicking and dragging its title bar to the desired position. Don’t forget to save your changes or adjust the window size if necessary!
Using these methods, you should now be able to easily move a window that is off-screen in AutoCAD. Remember to be mindful of your display configuration and always double-check your window positions before closing or minimizing them. Happy designing!