A triple-click is the action of a computer mouse button three times quickly without moving the mouse. Along with clicking and double-clicking, triple-clicking allows three different actions to be associated with the same mouse button. Criticism of the double-click mechanism is even more valid for triple-clicks. However, few applications assign critical actions to a triple click.

Examples of usage

On text

In most text processing programs and edit controls triple-clicking with left mouse button on the text selects entire line. If the edit control is not multiline, the entire text is selected.

Microsoft Word

A triple-click within a paragraph in the text area selects the entire paragraph. A triple-click in the left margin (when the mouse pointer is an up-and-to-the-right arrow) selects the entire document.

Microsoft Works Word Processor

A triple-click within a paragraph in the text area selects the line. A triple-click in the left margin (when the mouse pointer is an up-and-to-the-right arrow) selects the entire document.

Corel WordPerfect

A triple-click within a paragraph in the text area selects the sentence. A triple-click in the left margin (when the mouse pointer is an up-and-to-the-right arrow) selects the entire document.

Internet Explorer 7

In Internet Explorer 7 a triple-click will highlight all text within any single HTML element on the page. If there is an article with multiple paragraphs one can highlight an entire paragraph with a triple-click.

FireFox 3.0

In Firefox 3.0 a triple-click will highlight all text within any single HTML element on the page.

Safari 3.0

In Safari 3.0 a triple-click will highlight all text within any single HTML element on the page. If there is an article with multiple paragraphs one can highlight an entire paragraph with a triple-click.

Outlook and Outlook Express

A triple-click within a paragraph in the text area selects the entire paragraph.

Adjusting speed

Adjusting speed of triple-click depends on the operating system:

• On Windows XP and Mac OS X triple-clicking has the same time as double-click and changing the double-click setting affects triple-click behavior as well.