An information reading apparatus such as a handheld personal device comprises a memory having a plurality of cells arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns. Each cell stores a symbol image to be displayed on a screen. When a matrix array of cells is displayed, a cursor key is used to select one of the displayed cells as a candidate by moving a selection point by one cell at a time in response to a user's operation and is used to enter a user's decision command when a desired candidate is displayed at the center of the screen. A matrix array of cells including the selected cell and its neighbor cells are read from the memory and displayed so that the selected cell is positioned at the center of the screen. The processes of reading and displaying are repeated in response to a user's operation until the user's decision command is entered.