Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates accessing information during a modal operation. The system operates by presenting an initial window for an application to a user in a display. The system then presents a subsequent window in the display for another function related to the application. During this process, the system presents these two windows in proximity to each other, and ensures that this proximity is maintained, even across user changes to one or both windows. At a later point, during operation, the system receives an input from the user that results in a modal operation for the application that restricts user changes to and/or user control of the initial window during the modal operation. Despite this modal operation, the system remains able to receive a subsequent input for the subsequent window from the user and, in response, update information displayed in the subsequent window during the modal operation.