Menus are created that facilitate access to data in a menu database. Preferably, the menus include a plurality of menus items laid out so as to duplicate the spatial organization of keys on a numeric keypad, such that a one-to-one relationship exists between the keys on the keypad and the menu items. The amount of memory required to store database records relating to individual menus is reduced, because a menu template provides general formatting information. Thus, database records need not include formatting details. When a menu is required, a menu template modifier uses the menu template and the corresponding database record to generate the desired menu. The menus are employed for accessing data in the menu database. An edit function is provided in the menu template modifier to enable custom menus to be developed and modified.