Limelight
What is a Mouse Pointer?
A mouse pointer is the small on-screen arrow, or cursor, that moves as you move your mouse or trackpad and marks where clicks will land.
The mouse pointer is the visual indicator your operating system draws to show the current input position. On macOS it is usually a slanted arrow, though it changes shape over text fields, links, and resizable edges to hint at what an action will do.
People sometimes use "mouse pointer" and "cursor" interchangeably, but the cursor can also mean the blinking text caret. The pointer specifically refers to the arrow controlled by your pointing device. It is system-drawn, always on top, and not part of any single application's window.
During a presentation or screen recording, the default pointer is small and easy to lose. Limelight, a macOS menu-bar app, adds a soft glowing spotlight that follows the pointer so your audience can always see where you are pointing, without changing the pointer itself.
Why Limelight
- ▸The pointer is the arrow you steer with a mouse or trackpad
- ▸It changes shape to signal clickable, editable, or resizable areas
- ▸"Cursor" can mean the pointer or the blinking text caret
- ▸Limelight rings the pointer with a spotlight so it is easy to follow
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FAQ
- Is a mouse pointer the same as a cursor?
- Often yes. People use both terms for the on-screen arrow, though "cursor" can also describe the blinking text caret in a document.
- How can I make the mouse pointer easier to see in a demo?
- Limelight adds a glowing spotlight that follows your pointer during screen recordings and presentations, so viewers never lose track of it.