Ctrlclick

Ctrlclick, short for control-click, refers to the action of holding the Control key while clicking with the primary mouse button. It is a common keyboard–mouse modifier used to initiate actions beyond a standard click, depending on the application and platform. The exact result is determined by the software, and can include selecting items, opening links, or triggering secondary commands.

One core use case is multi-selection. In file managers and other list-based interfaces, Ctrl+Click toggles the selection of individual items without deselecting others. This allows users to pick non-contiguous items. Shift+Click typically selects a continuous range, while Ctrl+Click combined with mouse actions enables precise, non-linear selections. Many applications also use Ctrl+Click to perform secondary actions on a single item when a context menu is available.

In web browsers, Ctrl+Click commonly opens a hyperlink in a new tab. This behavior is standard in Windows and Linux environments and is widely supported across major browsers. Depending on user settings and platform, the action may open in a background tab or a new foreground tab.

Platform differences should be noted. On macOS, the Command key is usually used for multi-selection, while Ctrl+Click commonly invokes a contextual menu or the right-click equivalent. As a result, the same keystroke–mouse sequence can have different effects across operating systems and applications.

Related concepts include Shift+Click for range selection and Command+Click (or Ctrl+Click on some systems) for similar actions in different environments.