Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing users of computers having a graphical user interface to efficiently convey scalar control information (such as Likert scale data) are described. A graphical control button is displayed on the screen combined with a graphical scale (which may be implicit) to enable users to convey the command to execute the function associated with the control button while conveying additional scalar information by controlling the particular region of the control button on which the cursor is positioned. The cursor position is preferably controlled by a pointing device such as a mouse. The scale of values assigned to the control button may be displayed continuously on the button or the scale may be displayed only after the cursor has been placed on the button and the mouse key depressed, but not released. A scale pointer showing the precise scale position corresponding to the cursor position may be displayed in addition to or in place of the cursor.