Mac Tip: 2 Fingers Scrolling – Left to Right

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Mac Tip: 2 Fingers Scrolling – Left to Right

Unlock the full potential of your Mac trackpad! Many teachers know the frustration of navigating lengthy web pages, extensive documents, or large spreadsheets. Constantly clicking the scroll bar or using the arrow keys can disrupt your workflow and feel clunky. This is where the magic of “2 Fingers Scrolling – Left to Right” comes into play. This simple yet powerful feature can significantly enhance your productivity and navigation experience. 

scrolling

Stop using the scrollbars! One of the best things about the Mac is the ability to scroll with just 2 fingers on the trackpad. It does not matter where your mouse is.

Left to Right

When using a spreadsheet or searching the files on my Mac I need to scroll right and left frequently. No need to find the scrollbar at the bottom of the page, just place 2 fingers on the trackpad and swipe to the right or left.

Forward Back on the Web

If you are on a webpage and you are all the way to the left or right of the webpage, then using 2 fingers to scroll will act as the back button.

Personally this drives me nuts. I’m scrolling and then all of a sudden I’m on the previous website, this is particularly bothersome when I am teaching.

Why Two-Finger Scrolling?

Two-finger scrolling offers an intuitive and efficient way to navigate both horizontally and vertically. It’s all about leveraging the full surface of your trackpad. Think of it as having a miniaturized, highly responsive touch screen right at your fingertips. This is particularly useful for:

  • Wide Spreadsheets: Scroll effortlessly across numerous columns of data without needing to constantly reposition the cursor.
  • Image Editing: Pan across large images with precision and control while zooming in and out.
  • Web Browsing: Navigate lengthy articles or websites with a natural, fluid motion.
  • Document Review: Scroll through pages of text smoothly, making editing and reviewing more comfortable.

This feature promotes efficiency and reduces the strain of repetitive mouse clicking, contributing to a more ergonomic and enjoyable computing experience.

System Preferences

Click on the apple in the upper left hand corner. Choose system preferences. Choose the trackpad settings.

More Gestures

Under the “More Gestures” tab, UNCHECK “Swipe between pages.”

more gestures no swipe between pages

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