Double-click
Encyclopedia
A double-click is the act of pressing a computer mouse button twice quickly without moving the mouse. Double-clicking allows two different actions to be associated with the same mouse button. Often, single-clicking selects (or highlights) an object, while a double-click executes that object, but this is not universal.
. Macintosh Operating Systems only require one mouse click for most executions.
s or word processor
s, double-clicking on text selects an entire word. (In Unix
operating systems, it will also copy that piece of text into a buffer separate from the system clipboard, as with all selected text. The selected text is not also put into clipboard until an overt cut or copy action takes place. A person can retrieve the information from this buffer, which is not the system clipboard, later by pressing the middle mouse button.)
s. They may have trouble clicking fast enough or keeping the mouse still while double-clicking.
Solutions to this may include:
Additionally, applications and operating systems will often not require the mouse to be completely still. Instead, they allow for a small amount of movement between the two clicks.
Another complication lies in the fact that some systems associate one action with a single click, another with a double click, and yet another with a two consecutive single clicks. Even advanced users sometimes fail to differentiate between these properly. An example is the most common way of renaming a file in Microsoft Windows
. A single click highlights the file's icon and another single click (on the filename, not the icon) makes the name of the file editable. A user who tries to execute this action may inadvertently open the file (a double-click) by clicking too quickly, while a user who tries to open the file may find it being renamed by clicking too slowly. This may be avoided by Windows' users by using the menu (or F2
/Enter
) to initiate renaming and opening rather than multiple clicks. In GNOME
, this problem is avoided entirely by simply not allowing file renaming by this method.
According to Microsoft's MSDN website, the default timing in Windows is 500ms (one half second). The double-click time is also used as a basis for other timed actions.
The double-click timing delay can usually be configured by the user. For example, adjusting double-click settings can be done by:
On icons
By default on most Windows Operating Systems, for a person to execute a certain software function, he or she will have to click on the left button twice in quick succession. An example of this can be a person clicking on an iconIcon (computing)
A computer icon is a pictogram displayed on a computer screen and used to navigate a computer system or mobile device. The icon itself is a small picture or symbol serving as a quick, intuitive representation of a software tool, function or a data file accessible on the system. It functions as an...
. Macintosh Operating Systems only require one mouse click for most executions.
On text
In many text processing programs, such as web browserWeb browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
s or word processor
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
s, double-clicking on text selects an entire word. (In Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
operating systems, it will also copy that piece of text into a buffer separate from the system clipboard, as with all selected text. The selected text is not also put into clipboard until an overt cut or copy action takes place. A person can retrieve the information from this buffer, which is not the system clipboard, later by pressing the middle mouse button.)
Difficulties
New mouse users often have difficulty with double-clicking due to a need for specific fine motor skillFine motor skill
Fine motor skills are the coordination of small muscle movements which occur e.g., in the fingers, usually in coordination with the eyes. In application to motor skills of hands the term dexterity is commonly used....
s. They may have trouble clicking fast enough or keeping the mouse still while double-clicking.
Solutions to this may include:
- Cleaning the mouse.
- Click once to select and press Enter on keyboard.
- Using keyboard navigation instead of a mouse.
- Configuring the system to use single clicks for actions usually associated with double-clicks.
- Configuring the system to allow for more delay time between the two clicks for it to be registered as a double-click (See below for how to on several operating systems)
- Remapping the double-click function to a single click on an additional button, for example the often unused middle button. This effectively creates a Unix style 3-button scheme of select/action/context.
- To prevent the mouse from moving during a double-click, bracing the mouse by putting the thumb on the side of the mouse and the bottom of the hand on the bottom of the mouse.
- In Windows, the threshold of movement can be increased by changing the associated registry keys in HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Mouse
Additionally, applications and operating systems will often not require the mouse to be completely still. Instead, they allow for a small amount of movement between the two clicks.
Another complication lies in the fact that some systems associate one action with a single click, another with a double click, and yet another with a two consecutive single clicks. Even advanced users sometimes fail to differentiate between these properly. An example is the most common way of renaming a file in Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. A single click highlights the file's icon and another single click (on the filename, not the icon) makes the name of the file editable. A user who tries to execute this action may inadvertently open the file (a double-click) by clicking too quickly, while a user who tries to open the file may find it being renamed by clicking too slowly. This may be avoided by Windows' users by using the menu (or F2
Function key
A function key is a key on a computer or terminal keyboard which can be programmed so as to cause an operating system command interpreter or application program to perform certain actions...
/Enter
Enter key
In computer keyboards, the enter key in most cases causes a command line, window form, or dialog box to operate its default function...
) to initiate renaming and opening rather than multiple clicks. In GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
, this problem is avoided entirely by simply not allowing file renaming by this method.
Speed and timing
The maximum delay required for two consecutive clicks to be interpreted as a double-click is not standardized.According to Microsoft's MSDN website, the default timing in Windows is 500ms (one half second). The double-click time is also used as a basis for other timed actions.
The double-click timing delay can usually be configured by the user. For example, adjusting double-click settings can be done by:
- Windows XPWindows XPWindows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
- Start > Control Panel > Mouse > Buttons (Start > Control Panel > Printers & Other Hardware > Mouse > Buttons if Control Panel is in Category view). If you prefer, you may use Start > Run > main.cpl. - Mac OS XMac OS XMac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
- Applications (or Apple menu) > System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Mouse - In the KDEKDEKDE is an international free software community producing an integrated set of cross-platform applications designed to run on Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS X systems...
Desktop under Unix-likeUnix-likeA Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
operating systems - K Menu > Control Center (or Alt+F2 "kcontrol") > Peripherals > Mouse > Advanced > Double click interval - In the GNOMEGNOMEGNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
Desktop under Unix-likeUnix-likeA Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
operating systems - System > Preferences > Mouse