This section describes how to manipulate windows.
A window that has focus can receive input from the mouse and the keyboard. Only one window can have focus at a time. The window that has focus has a different appearance than other windows.
You can use the following elements to give focus to a window:
Element | Action |
|---|---|
Mouse | Click on the window, if the window is visible. |
Shortcut keys | Use shortcut keys to switch between the windows that are open. To give focus to a window, release the keys. The default shortcut keys to switch between windows are Alt+Tab. |
Window List | Click on the button that represents the window in Window List. |
Workspace Switcher | Click on the window that you want to give focus to in the Workspace Switcher display. If you click on a window in another workspace, Workspace Switcher switches to the new workspace, and gives focus to the window. |
Menu Panel | Click on the icon at the extreme right of the Menu Panel. A list of your open windows is displayed. Choose the window from the list. |
To minimize a window perform one of the following actions:
Click on the Minimize button on the window frame.
Open the Window Menu, then choose Minimize.
If the window has focus, click on the button that represents the window in Window List. If the window does not have focus, click twice on the button that represents the window.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Minimize from the popup menu.
When you maximize a window, the window expands as much as possible. To maximize a window perform one of the following actions:
To maximize the window, click on the Maximize button on the window frame. Alternatively, open the Window Menu, then choose Maximize.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Maximize from the Window Menu.
To restore a maximized window perform one of the following actions:
Click on the Maximize button on the window frame.
Open the Window Menu. Choose Unmaximize.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List to open the Window Menu. Choose Unmaximize.
To restore a minimized window, click on the button that represents the window in Window List.
To close a window perform one of the following actions:
Click on the Close Window button on the window frame.
Open the Window Menu. Choose Close.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Close from the Window Menu.
If you have unsaved data in the window, you are prompted to save your data.
To resize a window perform one of the following actions:
Point to a corner of the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize the window. Grab the corner and drag the window to the new size.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List. Choose Resize from the Window Menu. Use the arrow keys to resize the window.
Press-and-hold Alt, then middle-click near the corner that you want to resize. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize from the corner. To resize the window, drag from the corner on which you middle-clicked.
To resize a window horizontally point to one of the vertical edges of the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize the window. Grab the edge and drag the window to the new size.
To resize a window vertically point to the bottom edge of the window. The mouse pointer changes to indicate that you can resize the window. Grab the edge and drag the window to the new size.
 | Note |
|---|---|
You cannot resize some dialog windows. Also, some application windows have a minimum size below which you cannot reduce the window. | |
To move a window perform one of the following actions:
Grab the titlebar of the window and drag the window to the new location.
Press-and-hold Alt, then drag the window to the new location.
Open the Window Menu, then choose Move. Use the arrow keys to move the window to the new location.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Move from the Window Menu. Use the arrow keys to move the window to the new location.
You can shade and unshade windows, as follows:
Shade | Reduce the window so that only the titlebar is visible. |
Unshade | Switch a window from a shaded state so that the full window is displayed. |
To shade a window perform one of the following actions:
Double-click on the titlebar of the window. To unshade the window, double-click on the titlebar again.
Open the Window Menu. Choose Roll Up. To unshade the window, choose Unroll.
Right-click on the button that represents the window in Window List, then choose Roll Up from the Window Menu. To unshade the window, choose Unroll.
To put a window in all workspaces, open the Window Menu. Choose Put on All Workspaces. To set the window to appear only in the current workspace, choose Only on This Workspace.