A graphical user interface for accessing data can display hierarchical information in an efficient organized layout that users may easily navigate. In one embodiment, subject headings are contained within cells that form a column. Information related to the subject headings is contained within cells which are formed in rows that are adjacent and orthogonal to the column. The information contained within the rows of cells is related to the closest subject heading in the column.One of the cells contained within the rows is a focus cell. The user may activate the focus cell to access a lower level within the hierarchy of information where the contents of the focus cell become a subject heading in the cell within the column. The user may browse the data by selecting a non-focus cell causing the contents within the rows of cells to appear to move from cell to cell.