These cursors are exactly like the default Aero cursors in Windows 7 and Vista, except they are reversed to make them better for left-handed use. MSDN has a free set of cursors designed for left-handed users, that can fix this problem for you. The pointer cursor signifies a link because links have special behaviour that’s worth signifying to users. But, it can still be awkward to select items on screen with your left hand using the default cursors. If you want to give users feedback on hover you can change the background colour for example.Ī well-designed button-that is one that looks like a button-doesn’t need a pointer cursor to help users realise it’s clickable. # In conclusionīuttons that have the point cursor indicate that the user is interacting with a link when they’re not. This is because links open web pages or other downloadable resources without changing data like buttons are likely to do.Īnd users are also able to right click (or tap and hold on touch devices) to reveal additional options like opening in new windows, copying the address to the clipboard, bookmarking the link and more. To help users understand that links are different from buttons and other interactive elements, they are given the pointer cursor. The cursor is a pointer that indicates a link. The content beneath the pointer is a URL link to a webpage, document, or other item. The hand pointer must mean “this target is a link” and nothing else. For example, command buttons already have a strong affordance, so they don’t need a hand pointer. To avoid confusion, it is imperative not to use the hand pointer for other purposes. While links may have other visual clues to indicate that they are links (such as underlines and special placement), displaying the hand pointer on hover is the definitive indication of a link.
Text and graphics links use a hand because of their weak affordance.
The reason links are given the pointer cursor is because they have weak perceived affordance.
This is also why links are typically underlined and given the pointer cursor. This is why, for example, checkboxes are never round. This is important because not everyone uses a pointing device, like a mouse. The way users perceive an element’s behaviour is shaped by how something looks before interaction.
#Cursors hand license#
License Agreement is a link and gets the pointer cursor.