The Cursor

The cursor is the symbol on your screen – often a vertical blinking line – where keyboard input appears as you type.

When would I use the cursor?

Use the cursor whenever you enter information by typing on the keyboard

For example, a cursor can be seen in text editors (e.g.- Notepad or WordPad,) word processors (e.g.- Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect,) spreadsheet programs (Microsoft Excel,) web browsers (e.g.- Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator,) and any data entry "field." A field usually looks like a rectangular box in the context of a form or program window that you see on your computer screen.

How do I use the cursor to enter information?

Enter information at a specific location on your computer screen:

1.     Move the mouse pointer to the desired location

2.     Press the left mouse button.

3.     Type using the keyboard. The text appears beginning at the cursor location.

Bonus Tip for Using the Cursor

The cursor flashes, or blinks so you can easily find it on the screen. You can change the speed of this blinking to fit your personal preferences.

Change the cursor blinking speed:

1.     On the Windows 95 Start menu, click Settings

2.     Select Control Panel

3.     Double-click the Keyboard icon in the Control Panel window

4.     Click the Speed tab at the top of the Keyboard Properties window

5.     Adjust the "Cursor blink rate" at the bottom of the window. Move the cursor to         the switch found along the slider bar between "Slow" and "Fast." While pressing         and holding the left mouse button, slide the switch to the left or right. See the         blinking speed of the cursor to the left of the slider bar as it changes.