Abstract: In association with an interactive television system, a system for displaying a control object in which characters may be entered or edited via a character spin dial. Each character and empty space in which a character may be entered is displayed in a separate cell within the control object. Each cell accepts entry or editing of characters therein via a character spin dial. The character spin dial is displayed to the user as an up arrow and a down arrow displayed above and below the cell, respectively. By manipulating a directional control on a remote control associated with the interactive television network in the up or down position, the user scrolls the character spin dial through a list of selectable characters until the desired character is displayed in the cell.