The invention relates to an interactive operating device (100) comprising a display device (35; 43; 59; 72; 102; 150; 170; 180) and to a method for operating the interactive operating device (100). Said method comprises the following steps: graphical information is displayed on the display device (35; 43; 59; 72; 102; 150; 170; 180); sensor information is captured; an operating action is activated when it is determined, using the sensor information, that a body part (36) of a user is located within an activation range that is defined three-dimensionally in relation to the representation area of an operating element (33; 61; 151; 161-169; 181 - 186) on a display device (35; 43; 59; 72; 102; 150; 170; 180), said operating element being assigned to the operating action; the captured sensor information comprises user information which is evaluated for determining an operating intent for the at least one operating element (33; 61; 151; 161-169; 181-186) prior to the operating action being activated; and the information represented on the display device (35; 43; 59; 72; 102; 150; 170; 180) is adapted in accordance with the determined operating intent such that the at least one operating element (33; 61; 151; 161-169; 181-186) is optimised for activating the operating action which is assigned to the operating element (33; 61; 151; 161-169; 181-186). The operating device (100) is preferably configured as a component of a motor vehicle console in order to allow the execution of the operating method.