@item mode-line-inactive
Like @code{mode-line}, but used for mode lines of the windows other
than the selected one (if @code{mode-line-in-non-selected-windows} is
-non-@code{nil}).
+non-@code{nil}). This face inherits from @code{mode-line}, so changes
+in that face affect mode lines in all windows.
@item header-line
Similar to @code{mode-line} for a window's header line. Most modes
don't use the header line, but the Info mode does.
@end example
@cindex non-selected windows, mode line appearance
-@vindex mode-line-in-non-selected-windows
- By default, the mode line of non-selected windows is displayed in a
+ By default, the mode line of nonselected windows is displayed in a
different face, called @code{mode-line-inactive}. Only the selected
-window is displayed in the @code{mode-line} face. When you type at
-the minibuffer prompt, the window in @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}
-is considered to be the selected window. You can disable this
-behavior by setting the value of the variable
+window is displayed in the @code{mode-line} face. This helps show
+which window is selected. When the minibuffer is selected, since
+it has no mode line, the window from which you activated the minibuffer
+has its mode line displayed using @code{mode-line}; as a result,
+ordinary entry to the minibuffer does not change any mode lines.
+
+@vindex mode-line-in-non-selected-windows
+ You can disable use of @code{mode-line-inactive} by setting variable
@code{mode-line-in-non-selected-windows} to @code{nil}; then all mode
lines are displayed in the @code{mode-line} face.