To provide the pointing device which facilitates handwriting input with the same manipulating feeling as a pen type writing tool and which is suitable for size reduction and mobile environment, and which eliminates the need for a touch panel.

This device is formed in a pen shape on the whole and provided with a microtrack ball 1 atop rotatably in all circumferential directions. This device is provided with an optical encoder 2 which detects the rotation of the ball 1 and a signal processing circuit 3 which converts its detection signal to a cursor control signal. Further, two click buttons 7 are switches for inputting clock signals are provided. On the surface of the ball 1, a pattern of fine dots in a color different form the base color is formed. The encoder unit 2 has a light emitting element 3a which lightens up the ball 1 and a photodetector 3b which receives the reflected light from the ball 1 and optically detects the behavior of the dots accompanying the rotation of the ball 1.