The mouse is one area of the computer that we tend to take for granted, and it’s for this reason why we never truly get to learn its full functionality. In this article, I intend to outline a number of tips that you can use to maximise your use of the computer mouse.

Shift and Mouse Click

In word processing applications such as Microsoft Word and Notepad, it’s possible for you to highlight a portion of text by using both the Shift Key and the Left Mouse Button. Simply position the curser at the beginning of a word or paragraph and then hold down the Shift Key, then using your mouse, Left Click at the end of the word or paragraph, to make the selection.

Use Right Mouse Button

Try and maximise your usage of the right mouse button whenever you highlight a piece of text or you want to select the properties of a file or program.

For example, if you use the right mouse button to highlight a piece of text, once you let go of the mouse button, you’re given the immediate option to copy or move the selected text. This saves you the time of having to right click on the text after you’ve highlighted using the left click.

Customise Your Mouse

If you own a mouse that has more than two buttons, you should be able to customise the other buttons using the software that came with it. For example, if you have a third wheel button, you could make the wheel button a double click, which would conserve time when it comes to executing applications.

Use the Scroll Button

The vast majority, if not all mice today come with a scroll wheel button, which is positioned between the left and right buttons. This button allows you to scroll up and down a page. However, it is possible for you to use this mouse for other purposes.

• The wheel mouse can be configured to act as a third button. Pressing down on it (as previously mentioned), you can configure it to act as a double click. You can also configure it to open a new tab in your internet browser window.
• Combining both the Shift Key and Scroll Button, it’s possible for you to use it to quickly navigate through web pages. Scrolling down goes back, while scrolling up, will take you forward.
• You can also use it to zoom in and out of a document or web page, by simply combining it with the Ctrl Key.
• Some wheel mouses have an additional feature, allowing you to push them from side to side, a function you can configure to navigate through web pages.

Use Mouse Side Buttons

Many of the latest mice come with additional side buttons, which are usually positioned next to the left and right mouse buttons. These buttons can be configured to do almost anything, but by default, they are configured to enhance your web browsing experience. Consider configuring them for something more convenient for you.

Use Snap to Feature

Another feature that many computers are unaware of is the Snap to feature, which allows you to automatically move your mouse pointer to an action in a dialog box, such as the X to close an application or _ to minimise one.

For example, if you attempted to close a window, and a confirmation box appeared, asking you whether or not you were sure you wanted to close the window, the mouse pointer (with this feature enabled) would automatically move to the OK button, so that you could quickly agree to your initial request.

To enable this feature, simply access your mouse options in Control Panel.

Hold Your Mouse Properly

Holding down the mouse too tightly is not always the best way to control it. Mice are very sensitive, which means you do not need to apply much pressure to them. Additionally, you also want to think about the health of your wrists. If you’re someone who is always on the computer, then that’s something you’ll need to think about, you want to ensure you adopt the best possible posture when using the mouse, as the wrong posture can cause future pains.

Use Double and Triple Clicks

Using the double click, it’s possible for you to highlight a word. However, if you use a triple click, then you can highlight an entire paragraph. A feature not many people are aware of, but can save you a lot of time.

AUTHOR INFO

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website where he writes extensively on computer related issues and topics.