Abstract: A user interface system and method for accessing big or other data stored in a data store. The interface system includes an interface generator for generating a user interface layout. The interface layout inputs control data from a user to a database management system that may access a data store of big or other data to conveniently extract filtered data from the data store. The user interface layout has: (i) a main header bar divided into a plurality of expandable portions each in the form of a slide-out menu or activatable ribbon will for the user to input the control data; and (ii) a main display pane for displaying the filtered data output from the database management system. The main display pane is always maximised to provide the maximum area available for displaying the filtered data.