A method, apparatus, and medium are provided for representing multiple programmatic hierarchal structures as a single hierarchal structure. The method includes identifying at least first and second datasets corresponding to first and second hierarchal structures. Referential links are provided between the first and second sets of data so that the first and second hierarchal structures appear as a single hierarchal structure to a software application. An application program interface enables user-interface elements to be manipulated and includes a set of instructions that can receive a request for information related to displaying one or more elements, a set of instructions that identify multiple hierarchal trees capable of satisfying the request, a set of instructions that represent the hierarchal trees as a single hierarchal tree, and a set of instructions that communicates the representation of the single hierarchal tree to a receiving component.