Middle-click: is there a keyboard key combination?

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Level 2

258 points

Middle-click: is there a keyboard key combination?

I have a Logitech trackball that allows you to assign a number of functions to extra buttons. I would like to assign a "middle click", but I cannot figure out what Mac's keyboard combination for this is...

Anyone know?

BLACK MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 12, 2006 11:38 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Kyle Nilson

Level 1

10 points

Jun 12, 2006 3:22 PM in response to Duane

Middle click is known by Mac OS X as "Button 3." It is, for the most part, analogous to a Command-Click. Likewise, right click is known in System Preferences as "Button 2" (or Control-Click) and left click is "Button 1."

If you want to access the functionality of a middle click, try using a plain Command-Click. If you are using an advanced program that requires a dedicated button, you might need a dedicated mouse.

Mac, even without drivers, will detect a push down on the scrollball of most mice as Button 3.

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

85,308 points

Jun 13, 2006 6:11 AM in response to Argelius

As Kyle says, you just need to use Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse to give Mouse button 3 an assignment. It can also be assigned something in Dashboard & Exposé

If neither gives you the function you want, and Logitech's latest software won't either, I suggest trying http://www.usboverdrive.com/

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

85,308 points

Jun 12, 2006 11:57 AM in response to Argelius

You can use http://www.usboverdrive.com/ to assign functions to extra buttons.

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Answer 4

Wade Peeler

Level 6

10,906 points

Jun 12, 2006 3:27 PM in response to Duane

Since Windows only has the 2 clicks I'm not what you
mean by 'middle click'.

Many UNIX/Linux programs require a third mouse button. Companies like Sun who produce UNIX workstations also ship three-button mice.

I used plenty of programs in school on Solaris that required three mouse buttons. We could usually get the functionality of the third button on Windows by clicking both left and right buttons simultaneously.

I'm not in front of my Mac right now, but won't the Logitech Control Panel allow you to designate a button as the third mouse button?

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Answer 5

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Jun 12, 2006 2:20 PM in response to Argelius

Historically the Mac OS has only had 'click' which was analogous to 'left-click' on Windows OS.

'ctrl-click' will get you a pop-up menu and also mimics the Windows OS 'right-click'.

Since Windows only has the 2 clicks I'm not what you mean by 'middle click'.

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Answer 6

Argelius Author

Level 2

258 points

Jun 13, 2006 3:24 AM in response to Wade Peeler

I'm not in front of my Mac right now, but won't the
Logitech Control Panel allow you to designate a
button as the third mouse button?

Yes - but it doesn't have a choice for "middle click". You can assign the secondary buttons any command. I know a middle-click is possible. I'd previuosly used this mouse with my PowerBook. I upgraded to a MacBook (and elected to not to migration assistant cuz I wanted to really clean house). I've got everything up and running again, but can't figure out how I got a "middle click" with the Logitech mouse...

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Answer 7

Argelius Author

Level 2

258 points

Jun 13, 2006 7:17 AM in response to a brody

As Kyle says, you just need to use Apple menu ->
System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse to give Mouse
button 3 an assignment.

Actually, when I go to Keyboard & Mouse preferences, there's no choice for a "button 3" (unless I'm missing it somewhere...)

I've emailed Logitech about this; if I get an answer (ha!) I'll post it here.

Thanks, all for your thoughts on this silly little problem!

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