Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing visual cues for a graphical object displayed in a graphical user interface in a data processing system. The graphical object is displayed in a first state in which the graphical object includes text and a first color. The graphical object is displayed in a second state in response to a pointer being placed or displayed on the graphical object. In the second state, the graphical object is displayed with a second color in place of the first color, and the text has a variation in physical appearance. Additionally, a process for navigating graphical objects is provided in which the pointer is displayed on a graphical object and the pointer moves from one graphical object to another graphical object in response to the manipulation of a pointing device. The pointer, however, clips or jumps from graphical object to graphical object, rather than in a smooth movement in response to manipulation of the pointing device.