Can I track the mouse pointer over the entire screen in Python?

Question

I wish to follow to mouse over the entire screen, not just limited to my GUI.

I used to be able to do it in C, and MATLAB, but now I'm working in Python and Tkinter.

possible duplicate of [Mouse Position Python Tkinter](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/22925599/mouse-position-python-tkinter) — user2314737, May 27 '15 at 11:10
@well3 you can do it with external library call pygame, do you want to use it? — Ganesh Vellanki, May 27 '15 at 11:14
I've never really looked closely at PyGame -- what is so good about it ? — Well3, May 29 '15 at 09:11

score 7 · Answer 1 · edited May 27 '15 at 13:01

7

Silly me -- it's really easy, you don't even need a GUI running.

import Tkinter as tk
root = tk.Tk()

root.winfo_pointerx()  # this returns the absolute mouse x co-ordinate.

edited May 27 '15 at 13:01

Deacon

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answered May 27 '15 at 11:16

Well3

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score 3 · Answer 2 · answered May 27 '15 at 11:15

Try the below sample code it will help to get you a better understanding

import Tkinter as tk
import Xlib.display as display

def mousepos(screenroot=display.Display().screen().root):
    pointer = screenroot.query_pointer()
    data = pointer._data
    return data["root_x"], data["root_y"]

def update():
    strl.set("mouse at {0}".format(mousepos()))
    root.after(100, update)

root = tk.Tk()
strl = tk.StringVar()
lab = tk.Label(root,textvariable=strl)
lab.pack()
root.after(100, update)
root.title("Mouseposition")
root.mainloop()

Also please comment if you have any doubts .

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 27 '15 at 11:12

I believe you need to use some system libraries for that, as Tkinter probably only tracks where the pointer is inside the main window.

For that purpose and a lot more functionality there is a library called PyUserInput

I hope it is what you were looking for.

Can I track the mouse pointer over the entire screen in Python?

3 Answers3