Abstract: A method and system for manipulating the display of multiple software applications within a data processing system which are displayed within multiple windows which at least partially overlap in a selected order from a bottom position to a top position. A depth control window is displayed within the data processing system in response to a user input. The depth control window includes multiple graphic elements arranged in the selected order wherein each graphic element corresponds to a software application window within the data processing system. The display of software application windows within the data processing system is then altered, in response to a user selection of a particular graphic element, to display a particular application window which corresponds to the selected graphic element and each window which is overlapped by the window displaying the particular application.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently presenting the contents of a container object within a graphical user interface on a display in a data processing system. The graphical user interface includes an existing display window area. A container object, which may be utilized as a graphical indication of the storage of multiple objects, is selected. An organized format for presenting contents of the specified container object is specified by a user. The contents of the selected container object are then presented in the specified organized format within the existing display window area in the graphical user interface on the display, without allocating an additional display window area.

Abstract: The automatic storage of an object within a container object within a graphical user interface within a data processing system. A display, included within the data processing system, is utilized to display an iconic representation of a container object which is a graphic indication of a storage of objects. An object and a container object within the graphical user interface are specified. The object is thereafter associated with the container object. During utilization the object is removed from the container object. The object is then automatically stored within the container object in response to a completion of the utilization to enhance the organization of objects within the container object and the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for enhancing user efficiency in locating and accessing application and data files represented by selectable graphical objects in a graphical user interface environment. Selectable graphical objects are displayed within a graphical user interface environment, and a relocation criterion is associated with each of the selectable graphical objects. Periodically and automatically the location of the selectable graphical object is evaluated with respect to the relocation criterion and with respect to the current location of the selectable graphical object. In response to each evaluation of the relocation criterion, the selectable graphical objects may be relocated within a desired region for relocation within the graphical user interface environment.

Abstract: A method, system and program for navigating within any compound graphical object in a graphical user interface presented on a display. The compound graphical object has an arbitrary number of hierarchically ranked levels. First, the system determines whether a command to move within the compound object was issued from a pointing device or from a keyboard device. If issued from a pointing device, a lowest level object in the compound object is found which encompasses a hot spot of a pointer icon controlled by the pointing device. The level to which the lowest level object belongs is made active. If the selection command was issued from a keyboard device, a next object in the compound object is selected, the next object being established by the keyboard user command and other information such as the relative hierarchical and spatial positions of the current and next objects.

Abstract: Scrolling of work objects displayed on a computer display screen is controlled by a control element window displayed simultaneously on the display screen with the work area which is to be scrolled. A reduced size representation of the overall dimensions of the work object with the work area viewing portion of reduced size superimposed over it are displayed in a second window or display area on the screen. Cursor selection or movement of the reduced size representation of the work area within the representation of the overall work object by cursor selection and dragging or by activation of incremental scrolling or directional scrolling buttons displayed within the second display area, controls the portion of the overall work object displayed within the first display area.