Operating terminal for a system of devices or a machine, particularly for an automation system, comprising a display used in non-graphic mode, and function keys and a scroll device. The display 13 defines one or two Boolean control actions, particularly to the left and right, with symbols Sa, Sb associated with the text. Each symbol comprises an arrow Fa, Fb and a symbol associated with a Boolean control action (20a, 20b). A side key 16a, 16b is associated with each symbol to apply a control action to the automatic control, this action possibly being held or single pressed in the case of a Boolean control, or possibly dual by using the left and right controls. The terminal can provide a large number of control functions using a display with a small number of lines and only two function keys, while maintaining easy dialogue.