Abstract: A method and system for retrieving specific types of objects contained within a compound document displayed in a graphical user interface environment within the data processing system. First, in response to user input, a dialog box which includes a listing of object types is displayed within the graphical user interface environment. Next, an object type is selected from among the listing of object types. Thereafter, in response to the selection of the object type, the graphical user interface dynamically searches for the relative location of a first object of the selected object type from among a sequential number of objects of the selected object type contained within the compound document. Next, in response to user controls, the graphical user interface automatically scrolls to the relative location within the compound document of the first object of the selected object type.