The mouse

Most people soon get used to using a mouse to:

click on menus and action buttons
click on links in websites
select text
move text and graphic objects in a document or other type of file.

but it will do so much more!

Let's start with the basics of using a mouse, see next tab.

Using a mouse

To move around the Internet, you need to know how to use a mouse, see the three steps below.

If you are new to using computers, click this link to the Absolute Beginners' Guide (from BBC Web Wise)*.


	1. How it moves To move the pointer on the screen: hold the mouse gently slide it flat on the desk see the pointer move the same way.
	2. Find a link To find a link to a new web page: move the mouse go to an underlined word watch the pointer change to a hand.
	3. Click on a link To click on a link: hold the mouse still press gently on the left button wait for the page to change.

1. How it moves

To move the pointer on the screen:

hold the mouse gently
slide it flat on the desk
see the pointer move the same way.

2. Find a link

To find a link to a new web page:

move the mouse
go to an underlined word
watch the pointer change to a hand.

3. Click on a link

To click on a link:

hold the mouse still
press gently on the left button
wait for the page to change.

Print off the mouse skills quick reference guide to remind you of the basics.

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

The pointer

Here are the most common mouse pointers (or cursors) that you will see when using the mouse:


	Normal Select - the most common pointer, it allows you to select files, click on buttons and menus etc
	Select Line or Paragraph - cursor points to the right when you move to the left margin to select text
	Egg Timer - when Windows is carrying out a task and you have to wait for it to finish
	I Bar - shows you can select, add, move, copy, paste or delete text at this point
	Hand Cursor - when you hover over a link on a web page, shows the link can be clicked for action
	Unavailable - if you are trying to move an object to an unavailable location
	Resize Arrows - where you can resize an object or window in any direction
	Move - an object that has been selected can be moved
	Move Table Width - move the width of a column in a table
	Move Text - selected text can be moved (drag and drop)
	Move Copy of Text - copy of selected text can be moved (drag and copy)

How to change the "double-click" speed

Double clicking has to be fairly fast...if you are new to using a mouse and find this difficult you can alter the double click speed.

Click once on the start button on the task bar (bottom left corner of your screen), go to Programs > Settings > Mouse and follow the instructions.

Left Click

Even just using the left button on your mouse, there are a number of options.

Do you know them all...

Single 'click' will

Insert your cursor in part of your screen.
'Press' a button on a toolbar or open a menu.
Select an item from a menu or list.
Follow a hyperlink on a webpage.

Double 'click' will

Open a program from your desktop.
Select a full word in text (e.g. in Word or most programs).

Click and drag will

Move an object (click and drag to new location).
Move text, whole paragraphs, images, information in tables etc.

Control + 'click' will

'Drag' a copy of selected text or object to a new location.
The same as 'click and drag' but it copies the object, leaving the original.

Treble 'click' will

Select a complete paragraph in many programs.

'Click' + hold down Shift, then 'click' again

Select the text between two points in a document.

Right Click

Try a 'right-click' in most applications to:

display a shortcut menu for that application
quickly access some of the most useful features for that section
see a wider range of options that you may have not seen before.

Scroll Mouse

In between the normal mouse buttons there is a 'scroll wheel'

The wheel mouse combines the power of scrolling and zooming so you can accomplish more with less work.

Universal Scroll - scroll up/down a document or other window fast - no need to use the scroll bar.
AutoScroll - scroll up/down 'automatically' without having to push the mouse wheel continuously.

Power Zoom

One useful feature using the scroll mouse is the ability to "power zoom" to change the text size in most applications (e.g. using the Internet, Word, Excel etc).

To do this:

hold down the control key and
scroll at the same time

Tip: If you have problems seeing the screen or know someone with accessibility needs or just failing eyesight with advancing age, suggest "Power Zooming" to reset the text size.

Try it now!

Mouse Practise

Find out more about using the mouse and have a go yourself, using the BBC Web Wise pages*

Click anywhere on the keyboard to begin.

Closing BBC Web Wise pages

When you reach stage 2 of the BBC Web Wise pages you can close the pages by clicking on the close button to return to Learn.IT.

Quick Reference Guide

Print off the mouse skills quick reference guide to remind you of the basics, useful shortcuts and tips.

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.