These keyboards have the same look and functions found with traditional keyboard. Activating the keyboard keys is accomplished using the mouse to click on each key. Some onscreen keyboards have the option of Dwell Select where the user only needs to dwell the cursor over a key for pre-defined time and the software will perform the mouse click, not the user. A word processor is needed in the background when using an onscreen keyboard. The word processor receives information from the onscreen keyboard as it would from that of a traditional keyboard.
Software allows for customizing of onscreen keyboards to meet an individual's needs.
The size of the keys might be increased or decreased. There are onscreen keyboards where arranging the keyboard layout to a configuration that fits the users needs. One of the most important uses of Eyegaze Systems is to type. For typing, an On Screen keyboard is often used.