When pixel precision is required, the trackpad or the USB mouse aren't that efficient. That's not because of the technical limitation, is it our hand that cannot do pixel precision movement correctly. This level of accuracy is required especially when you are designing something on your Mac. If you find yourself in such a situation, let me tell you that you can move and control the mouse pointer using the Mac Keyboard.
Mouse Keys is an accessibility feature included in macOS that allows you to do everything with the keyboard that you ideally do with the trackpad or the mouse. In this detailed guide, we will show you how to use it correctly and get the most out of it. Stay tuned.
- The ultimate solution to the disappearing cursor problem is learning to use your Mac without a mouse. You can start by learning the essential keyboard shortcuts for your Mac, and then move onto specific ones like shortcuts for taking screenshots, or keyboard shortcuts that can help you unfreeze your computer.
- Nov 30, 2006 Generally, you might need this in Windows because the menubar is part of a window, so it's a lot more difficult to hit correctly with the mouse, whereas on the Mac, it's simply much easier to go through the menus with your mouse. This all is also historically grown. Windows was a shell for computers generally more focused on keyboard use.
As an example, when you press your Mac's power button the Shut Down option is normally highlighted in blue as the default which cannot be changed unless you use the mouse or trackpad to choose another option such as Restart. When Full Keyboard Access is on, the Tab key moves between each option and Spacebar selects it. Mar 10, 2017 You might think the only way to use this icons is with your mouse, but you're wrong: you can trigger your menu bar icons by pressing Fn+Control+F8 on your keyboard. The left-most menu bar icon will be highlighted. Use the down arrow to browse that menu, or use the right and left arrow to switch between icons. See full list on wikihow.com.
How to Move and Control Mouse Pointer with Mac Keyboard
List of mac keyboard commands. Step #1. Head over to System Preferences → Accessibility → Mouse & Trackpad.
Step #2. In here, check the box beside 'Enable Mouse Keys.'
This will enable the Mouse Key feature on your Mac. But you will need to customize it a little to suit your requirement. To do so, follow the steps given below.
Step #3. In the same window, click on 'Options…'
Here you can customize the following things:
- Press the Option key five times to toggle Mouse Keys
- Ignore built-in trackpad when Mouse keys are on
- Initial delay
- Maximum speed
Now that you have customized the preferences as per your requirement let's see how you can actually use it.
How to Use Mouse Keys on Mac Keyboard
Once the Mouse Keys option is enabled, you can use it everywhere. The cursor controls are as given below:
- If you have a numeric keypad, you can use 2,4,8, and 6 number keys to move the cursor down, left, up, and right respectively. While the 1,7,9 and 3 number keys will allow you to move the cursor diagonally
- On a Mac keyboard without a numeric keypad, K, U, 8, and O keys will move the cursor down, left, up, and right respectively. While the J,7,9, and L keys will move the cursor diagonally
How to Move and Control Mouse Pointer with Mac Keyboard
List of mac keyboard commands. Step #1. Head over to System Preferences → Accessibility → Mouse & Trackpad.
Step #2. In here, check the box beside 'Enable Mouse Keys.'
This will enable the Mouse Key feature on your Mac. But you will need to customize it a little to suit your requirement. To do so, follow the steps given below.
Step #3. In the same window, click on 'Options…'
Here you can customize the following things:
- Press the Option key five times to toggle Mouse Keys
- Ignore built-in trackpad when Mouse keys are on
- Initial delay
- Maximum speed
Now that you have customized the preferences as per your requirement let's see how you can actually use it.
How to Use Mouse Keys on Mac Keyboard
Once the Mouse Keys option is enabled, you can use it everywhere. The cursor controls are as given below:
- If you have a numeric keypad, you can use 2,4,8, and 6 number keys to move the cursor down, left, up, and right respectively. While the 1,7,9 and 3 number keys will allow you to move the cursor diagonally
- On a Mac keyboard without a numeric keypad, K, U, 8, and O keys will move the cursor down, left, up, and right respectively. While the J,7,9, and L keys will move the cursor diagonally
Wireless Mouse Mac Not Working
- To click anything, press 5 on the numeric keypad. On the standard keyboard, you need to press 'I'.
- In order to hold the mouse button, press '0' key on the numeric keypad and press '.' (period) to release it. On the keyboard, you need to press the 'M' key to hold the mouse button and '.' (period) to release
That's a lot of keys to remember, but with overtime and regular practice you'll master it and appreciate the precision it can achieve.
Signing off…
Mouse Keys feature is not for an average user that do regular work on the Mac. It is mainly for artists and designers who need extreme perfection. Besides that, this can come in handy if your trackpad isn't working and also you don't have a mouse; that's more of a patchwork rather than a permanent solution.
Whatever is the reason, you only need to follow the guide above to get started.
You may also like to refer to:
How likely are you to use Mouse Keys? Do you like it already? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com who has a keen eye for news, rumors and all the unusual stuff that happens around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting contents on social media.
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You can use an external display or projector with a Mac notebook while its built-in display is closed. This is known as closed-clamshell or closed-display mode.
Check requirements
To use closed-display mode with your Mac notebook, here's what you need:
- An AC power adapter or an external display that provides power over USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).
- An external keyboard and mouse or trackpad, either USB or wireless.
- A USB-C to USB adapter or cable if you're using a USB mouse or keyboard with a Mac that has USB-C ports.
- An external display or projector.
Enable closed-display mode
- Connect your USB keyboard or mouse to your Mac or external display, or pair your Bluetooth keyboard or mouse with your Mac. If you use a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, click Bluetooth, then verify Bluetooth is on.
- Connect your Mac to power with the AC power adapter. Some external displays, like the LG UltraFine 5K, also charge your Mac.
- Connect your external display or projector to the appropriate port on your Mac. Use an Apple video adapter if necessary. Some external displays have a USB cable that needs to be connected to your Mac.
- After your Mac notebook's desktop appears on the external display, close your computer's lid. You might have to press a key or click your mouse to wake the external display.
If your external display or projector doesn't turn on after you connect it to your Mac, connect your display while your Mac is asleep or off, then wake or turn on your Mac.
Disconnect your display or projector
How To Use Your Mac (without A Mouse) | By Yoichi Nagano | Medium
Before you disconnect your display or projector, put your Mac to sleep.
Using Keyboard Without Mouse
Choose Apple () menu > Sleep, then disconnect your display or projector.