In GUIs where the input method relies on hard keys, such as the five-way key on many mobile phones, there is no pointer employed, and instead the GUI relies on a clear focus state. The use of a pointer is employed when the input method, or pointing device, is a device that can move fluidly across a screen and select or highlight objects on the screen. The pointer commonly appears as an angled arrow (angled because historically that improved appearance on low resolution screens), but it can vary within different programs or operating systems. The cursor may also be repositioned using the pointer.

It is distinct from the cursor, which responds to keyboard input. It can be used in text-based or graphical user interfaces to select and move other elements. It signals the point where actions of the user take place. In computing, a pointer or mouse cursor (as part of a personal computer WIMP style of interaction) is a symbol or graphical image on the computer monitor or other display device that echoes movements of the pointing device, commonly a mouse, touchpad, or stylus pen. The mouse cursor is also called a pointer, owing to its resemblance in usage to a pointing stick. In computer user interfaces, a cursor is an indicator used to show the current position for user interaction on a computer monitor or other display device that will respond to input from a text input or pointing device.