A method (300) in an electronic device (100) having a touch sensitive display (102) for searching entries in a stored list includes presenting (302) a reference character set as reference character ranges on an A by B matrix (103) of touch sensitive keys (120,121,122,123,124,125). Upon actuating a touch sensitive key having a reference character range presented thereon, the touch sensitive keys (120,121,122,123,124,125) are reconfigured to present (306) a secondary reference character set having alphanumeric characters within the reference character range presented on the touch sensitive key prior to actuation. Upon actuating a touch sensitive key having an alphanumeric character presented thereon, the alphanumeric character is added (308) to a search string indicator (111). Soft keys (104,105) and a soft key identification line (106) may be used in conjunction with the A by B matrix (103).