Abstract: A data presentation module presenting panels that are driven by metadata to allow a user to configure the presentation of information from a computer database system. The data presentation module is customized for the user's environment by configuring the metadata tables upon initial installation of the data presentation module software. Changes to the panels presented by the data presentation module can be performed by changing the metadata tables and without modifying the data presentation module software. The data presentation module initiates access of metadata files to obtain panel presentation parameters. Examples of panel presentation parameters include intra-panel presentation parameters and inter-panel presentation parameters. Intra-panel presentation parameters include the selection items to be displayed on the panel, the label by which a selection item will be identified on the panel, and the order in which each selection item is to be displayed on the panel.