To left-click on a laptop, move the pointer onto your target and press the touchpad’s primary click area, or tap once with one finger when tapping is enabled. You can also turn on Mouse Keys to move the pointer and click using your keyboard. The Windows instructions use Windows 11 menus unless Windows 10 is named.
The short version
- Touchpad: Press the primary click area or tap once with one finger when tapping is enabled.
- Windows keyboard: Enable Mouse keys, then press numeric-keypad / followed by 5 to left-click at the pointer.
- Mac keyboard: Enable Mouse Keys, position the pointer, and press I to click.
- Chromebook keyboard: Enable Mouse keys with the right-side primary-key layout, use , to select the left button, and press I to click.
| Method | Click action | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Windows touchpad | Press the left side or tap once | Compatible touchpad, tapping enabled for taps |
| Windows keyboard navigation | Focus a control, then press Enter or Spacebar | Windows Settings or a compatible dialog or app |
| Windows Mouse Keys | Select left with keypad /, then click with keypad 5 | Mouse keys enabled and a numeric keypad |
| Chrome keyboard navigation | Use Tab, then the platform’s focus activation keys | Clickable webpage item, with Full Keyboard Access needed for some Mac navigation |
| Mac trackpad | Press once or tap with one finger | Tap to click enabled for taps |
| Mac Mouse Keys | Move the pointer, then press I or keypad 5 | Mouse Keys enabled |
| Mac Full Keyboard Access | Focus an item, then press Space | Full Keyboard Access enabled |
| Chromebook touchpad | Press or tap the lower half | Tap to click enabled for taps |
| Chromebook primary keyboard | Select left with ,, then click with I | Mouse keys with the Right side layout |
| Chromebook numeric keypad | Select left with keypad /, then click with keypad 5 | Mouse keys enabled and a numeric keypad |
| Ubuntu touchpad | Tap once | Tapping enabled |
| Ubuntu Mouse Keys | Move the pointer, then press keypad 5 | Mouse Keys enabled, a numeric keypad or supported keypad layer, and Num Lock off |
Left click with a Windows touchpad
Move your finger across the touchpad until the pointer rests on the item you want to select. Press and release the left side of the touchpad to click. If your laptop has separate touchpad buttons, press the left button instead. To drag, hold the button while moving your finger.
A light tap is another option on a compatible touchpad. Position the pointer, then tap once with one finger without pressing the touchpad down. If pressing works but tapping does not, enable the single-finger tap setting.
On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad > Taps. Select Tap with a single finger to single-click, then tap once again. Available settings depend on your hardware and driver, so use the physical click or a keyboard method if that setting is missing.
Select Windows controls with the keyboard
Press Tab to move focus forward or Shift + Tab to move backward. Use the Arrow keys to move within controls. In Windows 11 Settings, press Enter or Spacebar to select the focused item.
This activates the item with keyboard focus rather than whichever item sits beneath the pointer. You can use it to reach settings when the touchpad is difficult to operate. In compatible dialogs, hold Alt and press the key matching an underlined letter to activate its command.
In desktop Chrome, press Tab or Shift + Tab to move through clickable webpage items, then use your platform’s focused-control activation method. Some Mac navigation requires Full Keyboard Access, described below. Pressing Spacebar on an unfocused webpage scrolls, so it is not a universal left-click shortcut.
Turn on Windows Mouse Keys
Mouse Keys lets you position the pointer and click with a numeric keypad. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Accessibility, then choose Mouse under Interaction. Turn on Mouse keys.
On the numeric keypad, press / to select the left mouse button. Move the pointer using 7, 8, 9, 4, 6, 1, 2, or 3, then press 5 to left-click. These controls require a numeric keypad; if your laptop lacks one, use keyboard focus to select compatible controls instead.
You can also toggle Mouse keys with Left Alt + Left Shift + Num Lock when the shortcut is available. If it does not activate the feature, use the Windows 11 settings path above. Once enabled, select the left button with keypad / before clicking with keypad 5.
For a double-click, press numeric-keypad +. To drag, position the pointer and press keypad 0 to hold the button, move to the destination, then press the keypad decimal-point key . to release it.
On Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Ease of access > Mouse and turn on Control your mouse with a keypad, then use numeric-keypad / followed by 5 to left-click. For touchpad controls on Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Left click on a MacBook trackpad
On a MacBook Air, move the pointer over your target and press anywhere on the trackpad once with one finger. Pressing deeper invokes Force click, which is a different action.
To click with a light tap, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad > Point & Click. Turn on Tap to click, then tap once with one finger. If tapping does not select the item, use a physical press and check that the setting is enabled. Where available, adjust Click to change how firmly you must press for a physical click.
Use a Mac keyboard to click
Mac Mouse Keys works with letter keys, so you can use it without a numeric keypad. Open the Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control, then turn on Mouse Keys. Move the pointer using 7, 8, 9, U, O, J, K, and L, then press I to click.
A numeric keypad is another option: use its direction keys to move and 5 to click. The affected keys cannot type normally while Mouse Keys is enabled. Turn off Mouse Keys when you need those keys for typing again.
To select interface controls by focus, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility, then choose Keyboard under Motor and turn on Full Keyboard Access. Use Tab or Shift + Tab to move focus and the Arrow keys within groups. Press Space to select the focused item.
Click on a Chromebook
With the pointer over your target, press or tap the lower half of the touchpad with one finger. To enable tapping, select the time, then open Settings > Device > Touchpad. If the category is labeled Touchpad and mouse, open that instead. Turn on Tap to click.
For keyboard clicking on a Chromebook that offers Mouse keys, select the time and open Settings > Accessibility > Cursor and touchpad. Turn on Mouse keys and Use primary keys. Set Keys to use to Right side for the letter-key layout below.
Move the pointer with 7, 8, 9, U, O, J, K, and L. Use the comma key , to cycle the active button to left, then press I to click. Press Launcher + Alt + 4 to pause or resume Mouse keys.
With a numeric keypad, enable Mouse keys through the same settings. Press keypad / to select the left button, move the pointer with the surrounding number keys, then press keypad 5 to click. The primary-key layout uses , for button selection, while the numeric keypad uses /.
With the numeric keypad, press + to double-click. To drag, press keypad 0 to hold the button, move the pointer, then press the keypad decimal-point key . to release it.
Use the touchpad or keypad on Ubuntu
On Ubuntu’s GNOME-style desktop, open Activities and search for Mouse & Touchpad. Open Mouse & Touchpad > Touchpad to access the touchpad controls. With tapping enabled, tap once to click.
For keyboard clicking, open Activities, search for Accessibility, and open Accessibility > Pointing & Clicking. Turn on Mouse Keys and turn Num Lock off. Move the pointer with the numeric keypad and press keypad 5 to click. Press keypad 5 twice quickly to double-click.
This requires a numeric keypad or a laptop’s hardware-supported keypad layer. Ordinary top-row number keys do not work for Ubuntu Mouse Keys. Use touchpad tapping instead if your keyboard lacks the required keypad.
Fix a Windows touchpad that will not click
On Windows 11, press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad and turn on Touchpad. If you need the touchpad to remain active with a mouse attached, select Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected.
Some laptops also have a function key bearing a touchpad icon, sometimes used with Fn. Some HP models instead support double-tapping the upper-left corner of the touchpad to toggle it. These controls are model-specific, so use the Windows setting when your laptop has neither control.
When the button action seems reversed, check the primary-button assignment. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, then set Primary mouse button to Left for the usual arrangement. Touchpad-button behavior can depend on the hardware and driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows help me drag without continuously holding the button?
Yes, ClickLock lets you highlight or drag without continuously holding the mouse button. On Windows 11, open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings > Buttons. Select Turn on ClickLock, then select OK.
How do I drag with Mac Mouse Keys?
With Mouse Keys enabled, position the pointer and press M or numeric-keypad 0 to hold the mouse button. Move the pointer to the destination, then press the period key . to release it.
How can I reach more webpage controls with the keyboard in Safari?
Open Safari > Settings > Advanced and select Press Tab to highlight each item on a webpage. Use Tab to move through the controls, then use macOS keyboard activation or Full Keyboard Access to select one. Without that preference enabled, Option + Tab reaches clickable items.
How do I double click or drag using Ubuntu touchpad taps?
With tapping enabled, tap twice to double-click. To drag, double-tap and keep your finger down on the second touch while moving.