How to use a computer mouse

For many people, the mouse is used more than the keyboard or any other device on the computer. Most commands on a computer are done through icons or Menu menus, so you need to know how to use the mouse proficiently.

How to use a computer mouse Picture 1 How to use a computer mouse

Computer mouse buttons

How to use a computer mouse Picture 2 Computer mouse buttons

first

Left Button - Left Button

The left mouse button is located on the left side when holding the mouse, this is the main button that is often used when performing a selection operation or performing a certain command.

2

Right Button

The right mouse button is on the right side when holding the mouse, usually to open a menu - Menu commands and these commands will change depending on the cursor position or the application program.

3

Scroll Button

The scroll button of the mouse is usually located between the left and right buttons, it has the effect of scrolling the screen up or down. In some application programs this button has a Zoom function - which helps to enlarge or reduce an object.

The scroll button when pressed down has another function and this function also depends on the specified program. In some application programs this button has the Pan function - which moves an object. 

4

Other buttons

How to use a computer mouse Picture 3 Mouse has 2 buttons on the side

Some mice will have 2 additional buttons next to them, these two buttons usually have the effect of moving the page forward -  Next / Forward or backward - Back .

In addition, dedicated mice will have other buttons and the use of these buttons will be determined by the application programs. However you can also change by setting in each application program.

How to hold a computer mouse

How to use a computer mouse Picture 4 How to hold a computer mouse

The way to hold the mouse depends on the habits of each person, but the common way to hold the mouse is to hold the mouse in the right palm, the index finger on the left button, the middle finger on the right button. Thumbs and other fingers hold tight around the mouse body. When you need to use the scroll button, use the middle finger.

1. If you often use the scroll button to scroll the page when surfing the Web, for faster page scrolling, you can use the index finger to place on the left button, the middle finger on the scroll button and the ring finger on the right button. . 
2. If the mouse has an extra button next to it, use your thumb to press it.

The shape of the mouse pointer on the computer screen

The mouse is usually displayed on the screen as an icon - Icon, called the mouse pointer. The shape of the mouse pointer may change depending on the application program, the position of the cursor or the operating state of the program, etc.

How to use a computer mouse Picture 5 Mouse pointer shapes on a computer screen

1. The mouse pointer in the normal state will have an arrow - Cursor is used to point, select. click on an object to select it.
2. The mouse pointer is in the shape of a hand, usually appearing when pointing to buttons - Button or links - Link, URL, . meaning this can be clicked. When clicked, it will execute a certain command.
3. The mouse pointer with a letter-like shape I is called a text cursor - Test Cursor, often appearing in word processing programs or areas where text characters are allowed - Text. When the mouse pointer is clicked in the text area, the mouse pointer will turn into an apostrophe and the character will appear at the position of the apostrophe when typed from the keyboard.
4. Point the mouse in a disabled state to indicate that the mouse operation being performed is invalid or the area is not allowed to use the mouse.
5. The mouse pointer indicates that the system is in a state of processing a task and tells you to wait.
6. A two-way arrow indicates that you can click the left mouse button there and drag the mouse to zoom in, out, or stretch the object in the direction of the arrow.
7. The 4-way arrow pointer indicates that you can press the left mouse button on that place and drag the mouse to move - Move the object from one position to another.

Note there are some programs that allow changing the shape of the mouse pointer differently.

Operations using a computer mouse

first

How to position the mouse pointer - Pointing

Hold the mouse and move the mouse on the plane in all directions, look at the screen to position the mouse pointer to the right objects to be pointed at on the screen.

2

How to use the mouse button

Mouse buttons can be used in the following ways:

1. Left Click - Click the left mouse button - Quickly click the left mouse button once and then release it immediately.
2. Double Click - Double click or double click - Quickly press the left mouse button 1 time then release it immediately and continue to click the left mouse button 1 more time then release immediately.
3. Click and Hold - Press and hold - Click the left mouse button once and hold it without releasing it.
4. Click and Drag - Click and drag - Click the left mouse button once and hold it and do not release then drag the mouse to move to another location.
5. Right Click - Click the right mouse button - Quickly click the right mouse button once and then release it immediately.

Because the left mouse button is used more often, when saying click , it means clicking the left mouse button . When it is necessary to click the right mouse button, it will be said to click the right mouse button. 

3

How to select - Select an object

1. Point the mouse pointer to an object on the screen and click the left mouse button once to select.
2. Click and hold the left mouse button, and then drag a contour around to select one or more objects within that contour.

4

How to open - Open a file or run - Run a program

1. Point the mouse pointer to the file's icon or the application's icon, then double-click the left mouse button to open the file or run the application.
2. Point the mouse pointer to the file's icon or the application's icon then right-click to open a menu, select Open to open the file or run the application.

5

Drag and Drop - Drag and Drop an object

Press and hold the left mouse button on an object on the screen, then move the mouse to move this object to another location and release the left mouse button. This operation is called move - Move.

6

How to select a piece of text - Text Select

Put the mouse pointer at the beginning of the text you want to select, the cursor will turn into a text cursor - Text Cursor like the shape of the 3rd mouse pointer above. Click and hold the left mouse button, then drag the mouse pointer to the end of the text you want to select and then release the mouse button. The selected base paragraph will usually be black or a color that contrasts with the background color.

7

Scrolling - Scroll

1. Place the mouse pointer in the area where you want to scroll the page and use the scroll button of the mouse to move the page up or down. This operation is somewhat similar to when using keys Page Upand Page Downon the keyboard.
2. Put the mouse pointer in the area you want to scroll the page and click the scroll button once and release, the mouse pointer will change to an arrow in a circle, now when you move the mouse in any direction, the screen will scroll. That direction.

1. In the Windows operating system, it is possible to swap functions between the left and right buttons of the mouse to suit left-handed people. 
2. In addition, you can combine the mouse button with the combination keys on the keyboard to perform the functions specified in different programs.
3. If at any time you feel disoriented and do not know how to use or exit the program, click the right mouse button - Right Click, you will find the solution.

See instructions How to use the computer keyboard

Lesley Montoya

Update 08 May 2023