The prompt line (just below the menu bar) displays feedback and error messages, and prompts you through the steps of using the current tool.

The prompt line displays:

• brief instructions for using the current tool.
• numeric feedback when you are dragging the mouse.
• any information you type on the keyboard.
• alert messages when a tool or menu item could not complete a task.

Sometimes another message may replace an alert message on the prompt line before you can read it. In this case, open the prompt line history window to see a list of all the prompt line messages displayed so far.