One-Hand Keyboard Typing Instructions

An online guide to typing with one hand using One-Hand Keyboard software.

Typing with One Hand

Type with one hand, using your existing two-handed muscle memory.

When you need to press a key with your (unused) injured hand, press the “mirror” key instead with the hand you are using. Use the same finger, on the same row of the keyboard, and with the same finger motion. The only difference is that you’re using your uninjured hand. The motion is the same (although mirrored), so your muscle memory lets you do this very easily.

So, if you’re typing with your left hand, any time you want [O] type [W] instead. Press [D] to get [K].

As you are typing, One-Hand Keyboard will actively change the keys you press into the word you want.

Add Words to Your Dictionary

If the app does not know an uncommon word (such as your last name), you can add it to your dictionary for future one-handed typing. Do this by turning one-handed typing on, then typing out the unknown word with two hands. Press the actual keys.

The uncommon word will then appear at the top of the word prediction choice list. Press spacebar, and it will be added to the dictionary. You will then be able to type that word with one hand.

Picking Alternate Words

When the word prediction pop-up bubble is displayed, press [Tab] to switch to the next word. [Shift] + [Tab] goes back to the previous word. The [Up] and [Down] arrow keys can also be used, which is easier for your right hand.

If you select a word using Tab or the arrow keys, it will be moved to the top of the word prediction list for that particular set of words. It will then be the first prediction when you try to type that word in the future.

Editing Words

Delete letters from a one-handed word prediction by pressing [Backspace]. If you are typing with your left hand, you can also use the [~] key.

Punctuation, Quotation, etc.

One-Hand Keyboard works with standard punctuation and quotation. Simply type a word, then type a punctuation character or the punctuation’s mirror key.

The app may predict a complete word rather than a word + prediction. In that case, simply use Tab or the arrow keys to select the word + punctuation you want from the Mac word prediction list.

Using One-Hand Keyboard in Mac OS X

When you install One-Hand Keyboard via the Mac App Store, you will be able to type with one hand in any app’s textfield.

The app lives up in your menubar, near the clock. Click the ① in your menubar to access the app’s options. Select “Open at Login” to run One-Hand Keyboard any time your Mac restarts.

What should I cover next?

Is there a particular one-hand typing feature you’re having trouble using? Please let me know in the comments, and I will add it to the guide.