A method and apparatus for performing a function in an electronic device includes an electronic device displaying 110 a first set of elements on a touch-sensitive display. Then the device receives 115 a first input on the touch-sensitive display, wherein the first input selects at least one element from the first set of elements. Then the device determines 120 that the first input has continued on a path from the at least one element to an edge of the touch-sensitive display. In response to the determining, the device calculates 130 a target key based on at least one characteristic of the path. After calculating, the device senses 155 an activation of the target key by a user. Subsequently, when the target is pressed the device performs 165 the function associated with the target key on the at least one element.