Tips and Links
Table of Contents
Shortcut Tips
Mouse Add-ons & Software
Shortcut Tips
Scrolling & Zooming
Horizontal Scroll
Hold Shift and use the scroll wheel to scroll horizontally instead of vertically.
Zoom In/Out
Press Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while scrolling to zoom in or out in browsers, Office apps and design tools.
Line-by-Line Scroll
On Windows, holding Alt while scrolling in some applications scrolls line by line rather than page chunks.
Desktop Zoom
Press the Windows key and scroll to zoom the entire desktop if the Magnifier accessibility feature is enabled.
System Zoom
Hold Option and scroll to zoom system-wide when the “zoom with scroll gesture” setting is enabled under Accessibility.
Horizontal Scroll
Use Shift + scroll to move sideways across columns in spreadsheets.
Worksheet Zoom
Hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) while scrolling to zoom the worksheet in or out.
Pan & Zoom
Hold the Spacebar and drag with the left mouse button to pan around the canvas; hold Alt and scroll to zoom.
Window & Desktop Control
Desktop Zoom (Magnifier)
Hold the Windows key and scroll to zoom in/out the entire screen using the Magnifier tool.
Snap Windows
Use Windows + arrow keys for snapping, while some mice support tilt-wheel or side buttons for window snapping via software.
Mission Control & Spaces
On mice with extra buttons (e.g., Mac Mouse Fix), assign buttons to open Mission Control, switch Spaces or activate App Exposé.
Window Snapping via Gestures
Use third-party tools like Swish or BetterTouchTool to snap windows into halves or quadrants using swipe gestures.
App-Specific Shortcuts
Close Tab
Middle-click on a tab to close it instantly.
Reload in New Tab
Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) + click the refresh button to duplicate and reload a page in a new tab.
Auto-Fit Column
Double-click the edge of a column header (or drag while holdingAlt on Windows) to auto-fit the column width.
Precise Zoom
In Adobe apps, hold Ctrl + Space(Cmd + Space on Mac) and drag to zoom into a selection; holdAlt + Space to zoom out.
Mouse Add-ons & Software
Scrolling & Smoothing
Mos
Lightweight tool that smooths scrolling and lets you set scroll direction independently for your mouse and trackpad; it uses a special interpolation algorithm and provides per-app settings.
Scroll Reverser
Free utility that reverses scroll direction with independent settings for trackpads and mice and offers step-size control for wheel mice.
BetterMouse
Provides butter-smooth scrolling with configurable direction, acceleration and discrete steps; includes drag-to-scroll and per-application settings.
KatMouse
Enhances the scroll wheel so it scrolls the window under the cursor without clicking; supports page-wise scrolling using modifier keys and can reorder windows in the Z-order.
WizMouse
Allows scrolling of the window under the mouse even when it doesn’t have focus; can enable scroll wheel support in old applications and reverse scroll direction.
AlwaysMouseWheel
Small utility that lets you scroll any window under the pointer even if it’s not in the foreground, provides horizontal scrolling, Alt+mouse operations for moving/resizing windows and optional volume control via the wheel.
Remapping & Macros
BetterTouchTool
Comprehensive customization tool for macOS that lets you create custom gestures and shortcuts for trackpads, mice and keyboards; includes window snapping, clipboard management and automation features.
SteerMouse
Advanced driver allowing you to assign additional functions to mouse buttons such as double-clicks, modifier clicks and application switching, and adjust cursor sensitivity beyond Apple’s options.
Mac Mouse Fix
Replicates trackpad-like gestures using mouse buttons: look up words or open Mission Control with button 4; move between desktops, trigger App Exposé or show desktop with button 5; offers smooth 360° scrolling and independent scroll direction.
X-Mouse Button Control
Remaps mouse buttons and scroll wheel actions, creates application-specific profiles, supports simulated keystrokes, button chording, timed actions and customized scrolling for up to five-button mice.
AutoHotKey
Powerful scripting tool that lets you define macros and remap keys or mouse inputs using an easy scripting language or a macro recorder; can trigger complex actions with a single button press.
Gestures & Window Management
Swish
Gesture-driven window manager providing thirty window, dock and menubar gestures. It lets you snap windows into halves or quadrants with directional swipes and control apps with intuitive gestures.
BetterTouchTool
Beyond remapping, it adds advanced gestures and window management: assign swipe gestures to snap windows to different positions, trigger actions like Mission Control or Launchpad, and manage spaces.
Mac Mouse Fix
Adds trackpad-like gestures via mouse buttons: use button 4 for dictionary lookup or Mission Control, button 5 to switch desktops or activate App Exposé, plus smooth scroll and customizable scroll direction.
AlwaysMouseWheel
Also useful for window management: in addition to scrolling inactive windows, it lets you use Alt + mouse to move or resize windows and supports horizontal scrolling.
X-Mouse Button Control
Its advanced features include button chording and timed actions that can be used for custom window management gestures and macros.
Recommended Gear
Handpicked favorites—each highly reviewed and personally recommended.
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High performance mouse with 11 programmable buttons. Widely praised and personally recommended.
Durable mouse pad with anti-slip rubber base. Well-reviewed and handpicked for quality.