Appendix C. Mouse Techniques

This appendix contains tables that list mouse operations and their button bindings.

Mouse Model and Buttons

On a 1-, 2-, or 3-button mouse, the mouse buttons are assigned to various functions, which are defined in tables later in this appendix. Often a 2-button mouse can use chording as a way to simulate a 3-button mouse, where MB1+MB2 (chorded) would be equal to MB3. Motif supports two different mouse models:

  • Separate selection and transfer operations, where:

    • MB1 is used only for selection and activation

    • MB2 is used only for data transfer and direct manipulation

  • Integrated select and transfer operations, where MB1 is used both for selection and activation and for data transfer and direct manipulation

The actual way that the mouse buttons are assigned depends on the number of mouse buttons available, as well as whether or not selection and transfer operations are integrated or separate. Regardless of the way that the buttons are actually assigned, a number of “virtual” mouse buttons are defined as follows:

SELECT 

A virtual mouse button used for selection and activation. SELECT is always MB1 (the leftmost mouse button for a right-handed person).

ADJUST 

A virtual mouse button used for adjusting a selection. ADJUST is always Shift MB1. In addition, on a 3-button mouse, with integrated selection and transfer, ADJUST may optionally be assigned to MB2.

TRANSFER 

A virtual mouse button that may be used for data transfer and manipulation operations. With separate selection and transfer, TRANSFER is always assigned to MB2. With integrated selection and transfer, TRANSFER is MB1 (integrated with SELECT), and on a 3-button mouse may also optionally be assigned to MB2.

MENU 

A virtual mouse button used to select pop-up menus:

  • On a 3-button mouse, MENU is always assigned to MB3.

  • On a 2-button mouse with integrated selection and transfer, MENU is assigned to MB2.

  • If neither of the previous applies, MENU is assigned to Alt MB1.

Table C-1 lists the virtual mouse buttons assigned to a 2- or 3-button mouse with separated selection and transfer.

Table C-1. Assignments for 2– or 3–Button Mouse with Separated Selection and Transfer

Operation NameBinding
SELECTMB1
ADJUSTShift MB1
TRANSFERMB2
MENUMB3 on a 3-button mouse, or Alt MB1 on a 2-button mouse.

Table C-2 lists the virtual mouse buttons assigned to a 1-, 2-, or 3-button mouse with integrated selection and transfer.

Table C-2. Assignments for 1–, 2–, or 3–Button Mouse with Integrated Selection and Transfer

Operation NameBinding
SELECTMB1 (integrated with TRANSFER)
ADJUSTShift MB1. This may also optionally be MB2 on a 3-button mouse.
TRANSFERMB1 (integrated with SELECT). This may also optionally be MB2 on a 3-button mouse.
MENU

This may be one of the following:

  • MB3 on a 3-button mouse

  • MB2 on a 2-button mouse

  • Alt MB1 on a 1-button mouse


Note: On a 3-button mouse with integrated selection and transfer, if neither ADJUST nor TRANSFER are assigned to MB2, MB2 may be used for application-defined purposes.

Table C-3 lists the mouse operations and the functions they actually perform.

Table C-3. Mouse Operations and Functions

Operation NameFunction
ActivateActivates a control that does not have selections.
Default ActivateSelects and performs a default action on an item.
OpenOpens a view that corresponds to an icon.
ManipulateManipulates nonselectable aspects of the interface (such as scroll).
Focus-Only NavigationMoves the cursor to a component or element.
Point SelectSelects an item if the pointer is on one, deselecting other items.
Browse SelectShows which items can be selected, selecting the one on which the pointer is released.
Group Click SelectSelects a group of elements.
Group Swipe SelectSelects a group of elements.
Point ToggleToggles the selection state of an item.
Group Click ToggleToggles the selection state of a group of elements.
Group Swipe ToggleToggles the selection state of a group of elements.
Adjust ClickAdjusts the current selection region.
Adjust SwipeAdjusts the current selection region.
Select WordSelects a word in text.
Range Click Select WordSelects a range of words.
Range Swipe Select WordSelects a range of words.
Toggle WordToggles the selection of a word.
Range Click Toggle WordToggles a range of words.
Range Swipe Toggle WordToggles a range of words.
Adjust Click WordAdjusts the selection to a word boundary.
Adjust Swipe WordAdjusts the selection in word increments.
Primary CopyCopies a primary selection to the pointer location.
Primary MoveMoves a primary selection to the pointer location.
Primary LinkLinks a primary selection to the pointer lacation.
Quick CopyMakes and copies a secondary selection to a destination.
Quick MoveMakes and moves a secondary selection to a destination.
Quick LinkMakes and links a secondary selection to a destination.
Drag TransferTransfers dragged item(s) to the pointer location (usually a move).
Drag CopyCopies dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Drag MoveMoves dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Drag LinkLinks dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Click Drag TransferTransfers dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Click Drag CopyCopies dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Click Drag MoveMoves dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Click Drag LinkLinks dragged item(s) to the pointer location.
Pop-Up Menu DisplayDisplays a pop-up menu.
Pop-Up Menu Choose SwipeDisplays and makes choices in a pop-up menu.
Pop-Up Menu Choose ClickDisplays and then chooses from a pop-up menu.
Cascaded Menu DisplayDisplays a cascaded menu.
Cascaded Menu Choose SwipeDisplays and makes a choice in a cascaded menu.
Cascaded Menu Choose ClickDisplays and then chooses from a cascaded menu.
Cascaded List DisplayDisplays a cascaded list.
Cascaded List Choose SwipeDisplays and makes a choice in a cascaded list.
Cascaded List Choose ClickDisplays and then chooses from a cascaded list.

Table C-4 lists the mouse operations for the SELECT and ADJUST button bindings.

Table C-4. SELECT and ADJUST Bindings

Operation NameKey Bindings
ActivateClick SELECT
Default ActivateDouble-click SELECT
OpenDouble-click SELECT
ManipulatePress SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Focus-Only NavigationClick Ctrl SELECT
Point SelectClick SELECT
Browse SelectPress SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Group Click SelectClick SELECT, move mouse, click ADJUST
Group Swipe SelectPress SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Point Toggle[In select mode] Click Ctrl SELECT
Group Click Toggle[In select mode] Click Ctrl SELECT, move mouse, click ADJUST
Group Swipe Toggle[In select mode] Press Ctrl SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Point Toggle[In toggle mode] Click SELECT
Group Click Toggle[In toggle mode] Click SELECT, move mouse, click ADJUST
Group Swipe Toggle[In toggle mode] Press SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Adjust ClickClick ADJUST (or Ctrl ADJUST)
Adjust SwipePress ADJUST (or Ctrl ADJUST), move mouse, release ADJUST
Select WordDouble-click SELECT
Range Click Select WordDouble click SELECT, move mouse, click ADJUST
Range Swipe Select WordDouble-press SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Toggle WordDouble-click Ctrl SELECT
Range Click Toggle WordDouble-click Ctrl SELECT, move mouse, click ADJUST
Range Swipe Toggle WordDouble-press Ctrl SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Adjust Click WordDouble-click ADJUST (or Ctrl ADJUST)
Adjust Swipe WordDouble-press ADJUST (or Ctrl ADJUST), move mouse, release ADJUST
Cascaded Menu DisplayClick SELECT
Cascaded Menu Choose SwipePress SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Cascaded Menu Choose ClickClick SELECT, move mouse, click SELECT
Cascaded List DisplayClick SELECT
Cascaded List Choose SwipePress SELECT, move mouse, release SELECT
Cascaded List Choose ClickClick SELECT, move mouse, click SELECT

Table C-5 lists the TRANSFER button bindings. The TRANSFER button is the virtual mouse button that may be used for data transfer and manipulation operations.

Table C-5. TRANSFER Bindings

Operation NameKey Bindings
The following set of bindings are defined only when TRANSFER is assigned to MB2:
ManipulatePress TRANSFER, move mouse, release TRANSFER
Primary CopyClick TRANSFER (or Ctrl TRANSFER)
Primary MoveClick Shift TRANSFER
Primary LinkClick CtrlShift TRANSFER
Quick CopyPress Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, release TRANSFER
Quick CopyPress Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, press Ctrl and release TRANSFER
Quick MovePress Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, press Shift and release TRANSFER
Quick LinkPress Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, press CtrlShift and release TRANSFER
The following set of bindings are always defined. When selection and transfer are integrated, the bindings are used for transfer versus selection:
Drag TransferPress TRANSFER, move mouse, release TRANSFER
Drag CopyPress TRANSFER, move mouse, press Ctrl and release TRANSFER
Drag MovePress TRANSFER, move mouse, press Shift and release TRANSFER
Drag LinkPress TRANSFER, move mouse, press CtrlShift and release TRANSFER
The following set of bindings are not available on a 1-button mouse:
Click Drag TransferClick Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, click TRANSFER
Click Drag CopyClick Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, click Ctrl TRANSFER
Click Drag MoveClick Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, click Shift TRANSFER
Click Drag LinkClick Alt TRANSFER, move mouse, click ShiftCtrl TRANSFER

Table C-6 lists the mouse operations and the MENU button bindings. The MENU button is the virtual mouse button used to display pop-up menus.

Table C-6. MENU Bindings

Operation NameKey Bindings
Pop-Up Menu DisplayClick MENU
Pop-Up Menu Choose SwipePress MENU, move mouse, release MENU
Pop-Up Menu Choose ClickClick MENU, move mouse, click MENU (or SELECT)
Cascaded Menu DisplayClick MENU
Cascaded Menu Choose SwipePress MENU, move mouse, release menu
Cascaded Menu Choose ClickClick MENU, move mouse, click MENU (or SELECT)