An operating device in a vehicle includes a mobile operating device having a display area on which at least one display element to which multiple functions are assigned is displayable, a mounting support accommodating the mobile operating device, an input device for implementing an input assigned to a function associated with the display element, and a control unit for generating a control command based on an input. The mounting support can position the mobile operating device in at least two positions, and a position-detection device detects positions of the mobile operating device. The functions assigned to the display element are subdivided into at least two function groups, only control commands of the first function group are generatable if the mobile operating device is in a first position, and only control commands of the second function group are generatable if the mobile operating device is in the second position.