A position detecting apparatus transmits position detecting signals from internal and external transmission coils, which are electrically connected to each other and are wound in opposite directions. The signals are transmitted to a position indicator that is housed within a pen-shaped input member. Since the internal and external transmission coils are wound in opposite directions, the position indicator can be efficiently excited in the entire area of a sensor unit including the end portion thereof. The position indicator receives the position detecting signals and transmits position indicating signals indicating a position. Sensor coils receive the signals from the position indicator. The position detecting apparatus detects the position of the position indicator based on the signals detected by the sensor coils.