Disclosed is a control unit for an automatic device for preparing a beverage. The control unit is provided with a display panel and an input means which enables a user by means of designations of image elements (30-33) shown on the display panel to choose from a plurality of formulations a formulation for the beverage to be prepared. The control unit is provided furthermore with an operating unit for displaying by means of the display panel a visually observable reaction to designations provided by the user. The operating unit also controls a preparation unit of the automatic device, with an operating condition in which the display panel has mutually hierarchically interrelated selection fields which are representative of a formulation of the beverage to be prepared, with at least one selection field (30) of a first, highest, level and at least two selection fields (31, 35) of a second, lower, level. Each lower ranked selection field is representative of a further specification of the formulation specified by the associated higher ranked selection field. The display panel after designation of a selection field displays the designated selection field&rsquo；s directly lower ranked selection fields associated with the designated selection field.
