Using the Mouse & Keyboard
Master the tools under your fingers - clicking, scrolling, and keyboard shortcuts that will save you hours.
Can You Guess?
What's the difference between a single-click and a double-click?
The mouse (or trackpad)
The basics
| Action | How to Do It | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Point | Move the mouse/finger on trackpad | Moves the arrow (cursor) on screen |
| Single-click | Press left button once | Selects something |
| Double-click | Press left button twice, quickly | Opens something |
| Right-click | Press right button once | Opens a menu of options |
| Scroll | Roll the wheel / two-finger swipe | Moves the page up or down |
Can You Guess?
You want to copy some text. Where would you find the "Copy" option?
Mouse Practice
Donât worry if the double-click feels tricky at first. The trick is to click twice quickly without moving the mouse between clicks.
Keyboard shortcuts: Your new best friends
Hereâs where things get fun. These shortcuts work in almost every program and will save you so much time.
Can You Guess?
Ctrl + C is the shortcut for copying. What do you think Ctrl + V does?
The essential three
| Shortcut | What It Does | Memory Trick |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy | C for Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut | X looks like scissors |
| Ctrl + V | Paste | V is next to C and X |
(On Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl)
More time-savers
| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Z | Undo - the magic âoopsâ button! |
| Ctrl + S | Save your work |
| Ctrl + A | Select all (everything on the page) |
| Ctrl + F | Find - search for words on a page |
| Ctrl + P |
Shortcut Practice
Letâs practice in a text document:
Congratulations! You just used five keyboard shortcuts in one minute.
The special keys
These keys do specific things and are handy to know:
| Key | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Enter | Confirms actions, creates new lines in text |
| Backspace | Deletes characters to the LEFT of cursor |
| Delete | Deletes characters to the RIGHT of cursor |
| Tab | Moves to next field in forms, indents text |
| Caps Lock | MAKES EVERYTHING UPPERCASE (press again to turn off) |
| Shift | Hold for ONE capital letter, or to type symbols above numbers |
| Esc | Cancel or close something (the ânever mindâ button) |
Can You Guess?
You're filling out a form online. How do you move to the next field without using the mouse?
Typing tips for non-typists
No judgment here - many people hunt-and-peck with two fingers, and thatâs completely fine. But here are some tricks:
- Look at the keyboard while you type - speed comes with practice
- The F and J keys have small bumps - these help your fingers find home position
- Use both hands for shortcuts - one hand holds Ctrl, the other presses the letter
Quick reference card
Must-know shortcuts
| Windows | Mac | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Cmd + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + V | Cmd + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + X | Cmd + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + Z | Cmd + Z | Undo |
| Ctrl + S | Cmd + S | Save |
| Ctrl + A | Cmd + A | Select All |
| Ctrl + F | Cmd + F | Find |
Key Takeaways
- â Right-click for options, double-click to open
- â Ctrl + Z is your best friend - it undoes almost anything!
- â Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) will save you hours
- â Tab moves between form fields
- â Practice makes these shortcuts feel natural
Next up: Organizing your files and folders
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Lesson: Using the Mouse & Keyboard