In a method for altering a protocol in a magnetic resonance apparatus a first parameter for the protocol and a second parameter for the protocol are displayed in a user interface display presentation. In this display presentation, a range of values for the first parameter is shown, including designation of a first sub-range within the range wherein selection of a value for the first parameter does not modify the second parameter, and designation of a second sub-range wherein selection of a value for the first parameter causes modification of the second parameter. If a value for the first parameter is selected in the second sub-range, the display presentation automatically shows how the value selected for the first parameter will modify the second parameter. The user is given an option, via the user interface to confirm selection of the value for the first parameter, or to reject it.