An augmented large index searching system and method for searching a database of items using a device having a limited input mechanism. Embodiments of the system and method present to a user in an augmented list view or a regular list view a list of items matching a sub-string search. The augmented list view contains a list of sub-group representations so that each sub-group is represented by an item in the sub-group most likely to be selected by the user. The user can select an item wanted by the user or refine the sub-string search by pinning a character to append the character to the sub-string and generate a revised sub-string. The above process is repeated using the revised sub-string. The list can be augmented by displaying visual features that indicate quantity and distinguish between items or characters by using coloring, highlighting, shading, size, and so forth.