Computer Mouse Tricks: Mastering Basic Functions

Who needs keyboard shortcuts?

Your computer mouse might be a deceptively simple object, just a plastic shell with a few illuminated buttons. But this quiet little device hides a trove of movements and clicks that can dramatically increase your productivity and efficiency. Because search engines don’t see these movements, even the most casual mouse user might discover new tricks here. From the left click, to the nearly-forgotten middle click, it all matters. Do you know, for instance, how the right click differs from the right click and drag?

The mouse as an army of versatile soldiers

The mouse is one of the most common input devices for computers, lets users interact with graphical user interfaces. But this device is much more than an icon clicker: for most computer users, the mouse is an army of versatile soldiers, ready to perform a myriad of tasks. At the core of a computer mouse, there are three essential buttons: left, right, and scroll. The scroll wheel is not a button, but an integral part of the trio. These buttons are standard on a typical mouse, whether it’s wired or wireless. The actions these buttons perform can have different names and distinct usage. Typically, the left button selects an object and opens a file on a GUI. By itself, a right click shows a shortcut menu with options. Here’s how it usually works: the left button functions as a primary button to select, move, or open objects or the scroll wheel functions to move a document page up or down. The middle button (or right-click-and drag) opens a link in a new tab. The right button (right click) calls up a menu or list of options, and the scroll functions to move through a document.

The mouse: a traditional but transformative device

The mouse is far from being a modern novelty. Its roots trace back to the 1940s, converging with the rise of personal computers in the 1980s. While the keyboard has evolved, the mouse has become an entrenched companion to the keyboard. Many users have upgraded to click-drag-drop computer mice from more than a decade ago, but they’re not efficient. The real utility of the mouse comes from utilizing its functions beyond the simple click-and-drag movements.

The prompts: actions, clicks, and functions

The left click selects - a handful of tiny clicks with enormous range

A left click establishes a familiar action — clicking the left button to select and interact with objects. One click activates the object; another sequence of clicks, like double clicking, opens a file, or runs a program.

The power of the right click

The right click follows a similar process, but it’s more than just selecting. Right-clicking reveals a context menu or shortcut menu. Located at the rear or top, the button is an access point to power user shortcuts. With a right-click, menus appear and automate tasks. For instance, right-clicking a file triggers a pop-up with options like cutting, copying, deleting, and renaming. In applications, this click opens menus for formatting, organizing, and sharing.

The ease of the middle click

You seldom encounter the middle click — the few who do always confess that this function improves the ease of web browsing. The middle click isn’t found on traditional two-button mices, but three-button mices have it. The middle click opens a link in a new tab, provides a smoother navigation experience, and permits multi-tasking.

The scroll wheel’s range of movements

The scroll wheel, which turns vertically to scroll content, sits between left and right buttons. But the scroll wheel does more. With Ctrl and manual rotation, the scroll wheel doubles as a zoom function. Scrolling up or down using the scroll wheel can zoom in or zoom out.

Hovering

Hovering is a helpful feature that lets mouse users view more about something without physically clicking or touching it. When hovering the pointer over a link, the title appears under the pointer. Hovering also reveals tooltips and other informative text.

Mouse over Taskbar

Another feature is the mouse-over Taskbar. Windows users: with a hotkey, open a window peeking forward on the Taskbar.

Side buttons

The scroll or side buttons make it easier to navigate through a browser. You can move forward and backward by clicking the scroll buttons.

The right click and drag

In some programs, right-clicking and dragging the mouse pointer lets you pan or scroll. The movement brings more content into view for the user. If this is used on a map, the content will move with the pointer, giving the user the ability to navigate through the map. So with right-clicking and dragging, you can move through large documents and large images. Right clicking and dragging is even used in the map in Google Chrome.

Seizing the handles on your mouse

Although the mouse might not seem like a vital device, it is used constantly. To move data between a folder or desktop, a user drags a mouse pointer over to the desired destination, and the mouse will carry the files. To open a browser, or a program, click the icon with the mouse. It's simple enough to open a file, or folder, and click a program to run, but the mouse does much more. You may use several times every day, and it never seems to be enough. However, there might be potential to increase your efficiency. It’s time to see how much you leverage your mouse. So if you have a computer mouse, why not use it to the fullest? For better performance, keep a volume of a small amount of swipeable scrolling and a small scroll wheel. Look forward to searching the internet or traveling around a map.