Abstract: A user interface provides for accessing a large database of information using both browsing and searching behaviors. The database is hierarchically arranged using matrices containing cells, individual cells in the matrices associated with matrices in lower levels of the database. A viewer may browse the database by using commands that designate cells of interest, and viewing previews of such cells, and topically related cells, and selecting cells for retrieval. The viewer can navigate through the matrices of the database, each time further narrowing the range of cells viewing previews and selecting for retrieval. The user interface further provides for a user-configured matrix in which the user can place a variety of cells from anywhere in the database, allowing rapid access to and retrieval of frequently accessed cells.