How to Move the Scroll Bar on a Computer

Your computer makes it easy to skim and review data, as well as look at web pages and other files. However, your PC's screen is only so big, and files are usually much larger than your monitor is capable of displaying. To remedy this, your browsers and programs include the scroll bar function, which can help you move quickly from one section of a document to another.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Access a program that includes windows or any document that is longer than one page of text. These are the kinds of files and applications that will require a scroll bar.

2. Identify a scroll bar as the thick section along the edge of the window with a boxed arrow at the top and bottom, as well as a bordered rectangle in between the two arrows. This is your scroll bar.

3. Click on one of the two arrows on the scroll bar. You will see the screen appear to move downwards a bit, as well as the rectangle within the scroll bar. The rectangle visually indicates your position in the document: if you're near the beginning of the application, then the rectangle will appear at the top of the bar. You may also click and hold an arrow and the screen will continue to scroll until you release the button, or it has reached the end of the document.

4. Click and drag the rectangle down and up. This will rapidly move the document's visual portion, unlike the slower, more precise single clicks of using the arrows.

5. Click on any space in between the scroll bar rectangle and an arrow. This will cause the rectangle to jump the equivalent of one page in the direction of your click. You can also click and hold in the blank space and the screen will scroll until the rectangle lines up with your mouse pointer.

Tips & Warnings

• Many computer mouses are equipped with a middle button, which enables you to scroll from the top of a document to the bottom without having to use the scroll bar.