AutoCAD FAQ

The AutoCAD help files have many different names, depending on your AutoCAD version. It is however always a .chm file and is always located in the AutoCAD help folder.

• The folder can be found under C:\Program Files\AutoCAD [SPECIFIC VERSION]\help\
• There are probably more than one .chm files in that folder, the one in question is called acad [a number].chm (for example, acad167.chm).
• After the file is found, take a note of the actual filename and its path.
• Then go into AutoCAD and go to the menu ToolsOptions. Select the Files tab and go to Help and Miscellaneous File Names, and expand it.
• Expand Help File, click behind the arrow underneath Help File and press the Browse button, then go and find the .chm file, and press the OK button.
• Press the Apply and OK buttons and leave the Options dialogue window.

Now AutoCAD help should be back.

Some of the AutoDesk Products may have more than one Help file. For example: AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 has Acad171.chm and map2008.chm as help files.

Acad171.chm is specific to AutoCAD 2008.
map2008.chm is specific to AutoCAD Map 3D 2008.

Using map2008.chm as the designated help file will give help for AutoCAD 2008, but the documentation “contents” will mainly be for AutoCAD Map 3D 2008.

Use the method described above to switch between the help files.