A navigation tool permits access between separate program modules by communicating state information between each program. By communicating state information between separate program modules, it is possible for a user to access previous screens of data, irrespective of the program module which generated the display, or to advance to previous screens of data if the user has already accessed a previous display. In other words, interactions between separate program modules become seamless in presentation to the user, analogous to how information can be displayed with a internet browser or as if separate program modules were operating under a common shell.