Mouse keys
This article is a stub. You can help Deskthority by expanding it.
Mouse keys are keyboard key-combinations that control the mouse.
Open-source firmwares TMK/QMK has support for mouse keys, which can be mapped to any key on any layer.
Microsoft Windows
"Mouse Keys" can be enabled in the Ease of Access settings. There is also a shortcut enabled by default: Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock.
When enabled, the arrows on the numeric keypad move the mouse pointer around, with 5 pressing the active button. Which button is active is indicated by a mouse icon in the task bar's system tray. The active button is changed by pressing ÷ for left or - for right.
Pressing + double-clicks. For drag-and-drop, 0 holds and . releases.
There is also an option in the settings for having mouse keys enabled while Num Lock is on, which would allow mouse keys also on embedded numeric keypads.
macOS
"Mouse Keys" are enabled in the Accessibility Shortcuts panel, or by ⌘ Command + ⌥ Option + F5. On Macs that have it, it can also be activated by pressing the fingerprint scanner three times quickly. In older MacOS, it was toggled by pressing the Option key five times.
When enabled, the numeric keypad and the keys corresponding to the embedded numeric keypad are used to move the pointer around similar to on Windows. In this mode, the keyboard is unusable for normal input. 5 (and I) presses the mouse button.
For drag-and-drop, 0 (and M) holds and . (on keypad or keyboard) releases. Right click, double-click and triple-click can be configured.
Vintage platforms
In the Commodore Amiga's operating system, the Amiga keys acts as a modifier to enable the cursor keys to move the mouse pointer. The pointer moves faster while holding Shift. Left Amiga + Left Alt activates the left mouse button. Right Amiga + Right Alt activates the right mouse button.
On the Atari ST, the Alternate key acts as modifier: The cursor keys move the mouse pointer. The Insert and Clr/Home keys (to the left and right) act as left and right mouse button. The pointer moves only one pixel at a time while holding Shift.
Note
"Mouse key" is also sometimes used to mean mouse button, i.e. a button on the mouse and not the keyboard.
External links
- Apple Support—Control the pointer using Mouse Keys on Mac
