A display apparatus which is connected to a controller and capable of precisely and quickly shifting the display position of a pointer to the position of a desired object in a three-dimensional display area. When a two-dimensional directional command has not been issued on the controller by an operator, the display apparatus shifts into a first operation state in which a display position of the pointer is shifted according to the tilt and/or displacement of the controller. When a two-dimensional directional command has been issued on the controller by the operator, the display apparatus shifts into a second operation state in which the display position of the pointer is shifted based on two coordinate axes in the display area according to the directional command issued on the controller. In the second operation state, the two coordinate axes are varied according to the tilt of the external control apparatus.