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How to Program Mouse Buttons on an X-keys Foot Pedal or Switch Interface

X-keys USB Foot pedals and Switch Interfaces have two ways of performing the mouse click function in Windows Operating Systems.

Using X-keys MacroWorks II Software

Installing the X-keys MacroWorks II software which comes with your X-keys and selecting the proper device by clicking on the MacroWorks II icon in the system tray will lead you to the easiest way to program the pedals or ports on your X-keys. Each pedal or port may be assigned left, center, right, or double-click by Macro Maker. Click on the link above for full instructions on how to use MacroWorks II.

A version of Macro Works for Mac OS-X is also available.

Using X-keys Macro Recorder Software

If your X-keys is frequently moved from computer to computer, or if you need to use it on an Operating System other than Windows or Mac OS-X, we offer an alternative mode of operation which we call Hardware Mode. This allows you to program the X-keys on a Windows OS computer, and move it to any other computer that supports USB Keyboard and Mouse.

To program a mouse button on an X-keys USB Foot pedal with X-keys Macro Recorder software.


1. Install Macro Recorder.
2. Carefully pry up on the center pedal and move the Programming switch to the right (programming position) towards the red and green light.
3. If this is the first time you are plugging the device into your computer, or recieve a "New Hardware Wizard" prompt please follow the instructions here before continuing.
4. Open Macro Recorder and select the foot pedal icon.
5. Right click on a pedal and browse to Mouse Click and select left or right.
6. Go to File > Save As and save your layout as a new X-keys Profile file (.XKP)
7. To finish go to File > Write to Device.

When you are finished programming, leave the programming switch in operating position (left). The Foot Pedal may now be unplugged or moved to another machine. It will identify itself as a mouse and the pedals will act just like mouse buttons.

It is also possible to have a pedal with keystrokes and a pedal with a mouse button programmed on the same X-keys.

The X-keys USB Switch Interface may be programmed in the same manner, using a switch, Buddy Button, or Treadle Pedal.

Using Windows Accessibility Option to Send a Mouse Click

X-keys PS/2 devices can be programmed to trigger a mouse click in conjunction with Windows Accessibility Options. Click here to get our tutorial: wamouse.pdf

Launching Programs in Windows

Here are two proven methods for launching Windows applications from your X-keys.

Create a Shortcut Key

1. On your Windows Desktop, Right Click on the program's icon.
2. Select the “Properties” option.
3. Click on the “Shortcut” tab.
4. Click in the “Shortcut Key” window.
5. Type a single key on your keyboard.
6. Click the “OK” button.

Note that Windows adds the Ctrl+Alt combination to your key selection. The key combination Ctrl+Alt+(your key) can now be programmed into the X-keys to launch the application.

Use Windows “Run” Command

Program your X-keys to send the “WinKey+R” combination to open Windows Run command, followed by the name of the application you want to launch. For example, “WinKey+R iexplore ENTER” will launch Internet Explorer. For greater reliability, insert a pause between the “WinKey+R” combination and the file name to allow the run command window to open.

To insert a pause in Macro Maker, select the key, select Create/Edit Macro, click on the line of the macro before you want the pause (for example on the “r[up]” line) and click on the “Insert Pause” button. A 0.5 second pause is inserted, but you may adjust the length of the pause by clicking on the pause code and using the “delay”setting.

To insert a pause with an X-keys PS/2 device or an X-keys USB device in Memory Resident Mode, use the Special Programming combination “Esc+5” as you are programming the key sequence. A 0.5 second pause is inserted each time the combination is entered.

How to Turn Pages of Sheet Music with an X-keys Foot Pedal

In this article Tom Green tells how he used our X-keys Foot Pedal to navigate the enlarged sheet music displayed by his laptop system. Read Tom’s story on the blindmusicstudent.org web site