Right click using keyboard (no trackpad)

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Right click using keyboard (no trackpad)

I am new to Mac and I starting to love it but I haven't been able to find a "single (or multiple) keyboard key" that will allow me to simulate right click. Windows had a right click that was awesome. The closest I could get on Mac is either use Command + click or two fingers tap but I still have to use mouse to come to the place where I want to right click. What I am looking for is be able to use use my keyboard from example in mail application to move up and down and without having to use mouse can right click and take appropriate action.

Thanks a lot in advance

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Jul 3, 2009 7:04 AM

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Answer 1

Ajay Goel Author

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Jul 6, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Tuttle

I do like different options given by Mac (I am already addicted to single and double tap instead of single and double click) but I am so disappointed that I can't get the right click to work using keyboard only. I guess there aren't many crazy people like me out there 🙂

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Answer 2

Ajay Goel Author

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Jul 6, 2009 6:43 AM in response to Tuttle

Thanks Tuttle! I am going to stop researching this as it seems like we really do not have a simple right click key. The work around you suggested disables one or the other key for me 😟 Windows right click also has another cool thing that you don't have to have your mouse cursor where you want to right click, it applies to the context where your focus is.

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Answer 3

Ajay Goel Author

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Jul 3, 2009 1:27 PM in response to sdschramm

I guess I could not make my question clear. I do not want to use the mouse (track pad). I know command click works but if I am willing to do click I can also two do fingers click as well. I would like to do it using only the keypad. I have been looking in various groups and seems so simple i.e. what is the Mac equivalent KEY for windows right click (between alt and ctrl keys)

Thanks

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Answer 4

Tuttle

Level 7

29,565 points

Jul 3, 2009 1:53 PM in response to Ajay Goel

Theoretically, you should be able to turn on Mouse Keys in the Universal Access pane in System Preferences and be able to use the keyboard to achieve a control-click (right click) by pressing fn-control-5.

Mouse Key shortcuts are here: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61472

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Answer 5

Tuttle

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Jul 5, 2009 12:06 AM in response to Tuttle

control-click (right click) by pressing fn-control-5

Sorry, it's fn-control-M. Other Mouse Keys shortcuts are in the Help files.

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Answer 6

Ajay Goel Author

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Jul 5, 2009 7:02 AM in response to Tuttle

Thanks a lot, it does work! I was thinking there would be a lot of people wanting this functionality and would be a straight forward thing but...
Tuttle, When I turn the mouse keys on there are other things that stops working. For example command + W closes a window when mouse keys is off but when I turn it on this stops working. Also even though I have UN-CHECKED "Ignore trackpad when Mouse keys is on", once I set the mouse keys on, my trackpad stops working.
What am I missing? I am using Mac OS X 10.5.7
Thanks

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Answer 7

Tuttle

Level 7

29,565 points

Jul 5, 2009 8:17 AM in response to Ajay Goel

My trackpad works when Mouse Keys is enabled, so I'm not sure why you're having a problem there. Try checking the 'Enable access for assistive devices' box at the bottom of the Universal Access pane to see if that helps you.

Note that Mouse Keys mainly exists to assist in moving the pointer in lieu of using a mouse. Enabling Mouse Keys disables certain keyboard functions, so for key commands like command-W to work, you need to disable Mouse Keys (by pressing the Option key five times if you have that option enabled), before you use those commands.

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Answer 8

Tuttle

Level 7

29,565 points

Jul 6, 2009 9:33 AM in response to Ajay Goel

Hi, Ajay - You really should look in the Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts pane in System Preferences to familiarize yourself with ways to use the keyboard to move focus to various elements on the screen in order to select/click those elements with the return/enter key. There are quite a few built in work-arounds to help you navigate the desktop.

Also, application preferences (like Safari's) allow you to use the tab key to move focus to various elements in their windows.

Good luck!

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Answer 9

sdschramm

Level 3

525 points

Jul 3, 2009 8:54 AM in response to Ajay Goel

It is Control + Click.

Also, if you have one of the new MacBook or MacBook Pros with the large glass multitouch track pad, you can enable (in system preferences) to do a right click by pushing the bottom right of the track pad (just like a PC!)

Hope this helps!

-Scott

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Answer 10

sdschramm

Level 3

525 points

Jul 4, 2009 1:58 PM in response to Tuttle

Ahhh.... I think you are looking for this key:

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