How to Scroll and Click Using the Trackpad on a Mac Laptop

Having a laptop computer is convenient because it is self-contained and therefore much easier to take with you when you travel, or even just across the room so you can use it while relaxing in bed. When you have a laptop you don't have to deal with a separate keyboard and mouse; instead, you use a built-in keyboard and a trackpad. One of the great features of a trackpad is the that you can move the cursor around the screen, scroll through pages and click on items, all without using the mouse button.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open your System Preferences by clicking on the Apple icon on the far left side of the menu bar at the top of your screen and selecting "System Preferences" from the drop-down menu.

2. Select "Keyboard & Mouse" from the System Preferences screen.

3. Make sure that "Trackpad" is selected in the bar at the top of the Keyboard and Mouse screen.

4. Locate the "Trackpad Gestures" section and check the box next to "Use two fingers to scroll," which will allow you to scroll through a webpage or document by placing two fingers on your trackpad and moving both, or moving one while holding the other still, in the direction you want to scroll.

5. Use the sliding arrow under "Scrolling Speed" to change the speed at which the finger-scrolling option reacts to your movements. Find a speed you are comfortable with.

6. Check the box next to "Allow horizontal scrolling" if you would like to be able to scroll the page from left to right using the trackpad as well as from top to bottom.

7. Check the box next to "Clicking" so that you can click using your trackpad by tapping it with your finger. To double-click you tap the trackpad twice. You can also check the box next to "Dragging" (right below the "Clicking" box) to enable dragging of objects and windows on your computer screen using only your trackpad. To drag using your trackpad you tap it twice with your finger when the cursor is over the object you would like to drag, and on the second tap don't lift your finger; instead, move it to where you would like to drag the object you have selected. Tap the trackpad once more to release the object.