Abstract: A system and method for providing a hand held measurement instrument utilizing a touch screen display to provide a flexible and un-cluttered user interface. The measurement instrument includes a controller connected to the touch screen display as well as to a control port and a probe port. The control port supplies screen data for use by the touch screen display as well as control data for use in analyzing measurement signals received from the probe port. The controller retrieves one of the screens to be shown on the touch screen display, the screen including one or more keys. In response to one of the keys being touched, the controller performs a predetermined measurement function. In response to another one of the keys being touched, the controller retrieves another of the screens to be shown on the touch screen display. As a result, the touch screen display allows an ideal number of keys to be available to the user for a particular measurement function.