Keyboard vocabulary

Keyboard vocabulary Insert Key. No longer found on some keyboards. It’s a toggle key for either inserting text as you type (the default), or overwriting existing text.

Tab Key. Within a text document, the Tab key will move the cursor to the next “tab stop.” In forms, it is used to move from field to field or from one table cell to the next. Pressing Tab and Shift simultaneously will usually “tab” you back to the previous field. Delete. Pressing this key will remove the character to the right of the cursor when pressed.

Print Screen. The Print Screen button will send a copy of your monitor’s screen to the “clipboard” ready to be pasted into another program.

Input devices

Input devices A mouse is a small handheld device. With the mouse, you control movement of a small symbol on the screen, called the pointer, and you make selections from the screen.

Mouse vocabulary

Mouse vocabulary Pointer/Cursor– When you move the mouse around, you will see a symbol that moves around on the computer’s monitor screen that changes depending on what you’re pointing to. You’ll see an arrow or hand when there’s a choice to be made, an “I” beam when you’re in an area where text can be inserted, a cross of arrows when you can move something, and more.

Mouse vocabulary

Mouse vocabulary Left-Click– (Select/Highlight) This is the standard click when you’re choosing or selecting something. It’s done with your pointer-finger on the left button (think about how it’s like you’re pointing at something you want!).

Double-Click– (Open/Start) By pointing to something and then double-clicking (double-clicks are ALWAYS with the left mouse button), you are telling the thing you’re clicking on to open or to start. In text areas, however, double-clicking can select a whole word. (Try triple-clicking in text to select a whole paragraph!)

Mouse vocabulary

Mouse vocabulary Right-Click– (Menu) If you remember only one thing, remember that a right-click ALWAYS means MENU. By right-clicking on an item or in a certain area, you’ll get context menus, special menus specifically about whatever you’re pointing to, letting you know what your options are. It’s the secret weapon of expert computer users!

Mouse vocabulary

Mouse vocabulary

Drag– You can also use the mouse to drag items (like pictures, files, etc.) from one place to another or to resize windows or boxes. Practice pointing to a shortcut icon (little picture) on the computer desktop screen, holding down the left mouse button, and then moving the mouse to drag the icon to another place—then let go! Also, if you move your mouse arrow over an object and see a cross with arrows pointing each direction, you’ve found the “move” symbol, meaning you can move the object by holding down the left button when you see the symbol and then dragging. You’ll often see the “move” symbol in programs with pictures and graphics.

Mouse vocabulary

Mouse vocabulary Scroll Bars– In open windows you’ll sometimes see scroll bars along the right side or along the bottom of the window. They’re usually grey-colored bars with elevator-type boxes in them that can be dragged up and down or sideways (at the bottom) to help you see more of a screen or document. If you don’t see a scrollbar, you know there is nothing more to see!

Close Button– This “X” on a field of red is found in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. One-click on the “X” closes out what ever happens to be open on your screen.