Using Controls in Application Windows

Windows and dialog boxes contain controls that help you work with applications. You use controls to manipulate objects, select choices, or type information.

This section describes various types of controls you'll come across while using the desktop. Here's a list of the most common controls:

Buttons initiate commands, start actions, or specify options and settings. Types of buttons include push buttons and radio buttons.
Check boxes specify options and settings.
Text fields provide areas where you can type information.
Lists display a scrollable list of choices from which you can select .
Sliders provide incremental selection from a range of values.
Scroll bars enable you to scroll through a window's contents

To Choose a Push Button

Choosing a push button immediately performs the associated command or action. For example, choosing an OK button applies any changes made to a dialog box then closes it.

As a shortcut, many dialog boxes automatically give focus to the OK button so that you can quickly specify settings and then press Return to choose OK.

Mouse

Click the button.

Keyboard

Press Tab and the arrow keys until the button has the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight.
Press Return.

To Select a Check Box or Radio Button

You select a check box to specify an option or setting. You can select more than one check box in a group.

You also use a radio button to specify an option or setting, but only one radio button in a group can be selected at a time.

Mouse

Click the check box or radio button you want to select.

Keyboard

Press Tab and the arrow keys until the check box or radio button has the keyboard focus, as shown by the highlight.
Press the Spacebar.

To Scroll the Contents of a Window

Windows often contain more information than you can see at one time. Use a window's scroll bar to bring the window's contents into view.

Mouse

Keyboard

Press Tab to move to the window area you want to scroll.
Press the arrow keys, or Prev and Next, or Page Up and Page Down.
Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to scroll faster.

To use a slider:

Press Tab or an arrow key to move the highlight to the slider.
Press Up Arrow or Down Arrow to move the slider.
Hold down Control while you press an arrow key to move the slider faster.

To Select a List Item

A selected list item becomes highlighted. The highlighted item is acted upon when you click a button, such as OK.

Mouse

Click the list item.
In a multiple-selection list, hold down Shift while you click the items.
To deselect an item, click it again.
Click a button, such as OK.

In some lists, double-clicking an item selects the item and chooses the default command.

Keyboard

Press Tab to move to the list.
Select the list item:
- In a single-selection list, use the arrow keys to reach your choice.
- In a multiple-selection list, use the arrow keys to reach your first selection, then press Shift+Up Arrow or Shift+Down Arrow.
  To deselect an item, press the Spacebar.
Press Tab to move to a button, such as OK or Apply, then press Return.

To Enter Text into an Empty Field

A text field accepts information you type.

Mouse

Click the field to display the text insertion cursor.
Type the text.

In many dialog boxes, pressing Return completes the text entry and activates the default button, such as OK or Apply.

To Edit Text in a Field

Mouse

Select the text in the field to edit:
Characters
Drag from the first character to the last character
Word
Double-click the word
Line
Triple-click the line
Multiline
Quadruple-click the field
To deselect text, click an empty area in the window.
Type the replacement text.

Keyboard

Press Tab, Shift+Tab, or the arrow keys until you reach the field.

Use the editing keys to edit the field's contents, then type the replacement text.

Editing key	Function
Arrow key	Move the text insertion cursor
Backspace	Delete the character to the left of the cursor
Delete or Delete char	Delete the character to the right of the cursor
Control+Delete (Control+Remove) or Control+Delete char	Delete from the cursor to the end of the line

Note that not all vendors' keyboards supply these keys. Please see your local vendor's documentation for alternate key bindings.

Press Control+Tab to move keyboard focus out of the text field.

Using Controls in Application Windows

Technical documentation

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To Choose a Push Button

Mouse

Keyboard

To Select a Check Box or Radio Button

Mouse

Keyboard

To Scroll the Contents of a Window

Mouse

Keyboard

To Select a List Item

Mouse

Keyboard

To Enter Text into an Empty Field

Mouse

To Edit Text in a Field

Mouse

Keyboard