A graphical user interface is disclosed which allows users to interface with a computer operating system and/or application programs running in conjunction with the operating system. For an Office-style suite application program, a gallery bar may be displayed under the main task row of functions. The gallery bar has a first tier of tabs, where each tab corresponds to a high level formatting option associated with the current application program being used from the suite. When a user selects one of the first level tabs, a row of second level tabs is provided for the first selected tab. These second level tabs provide users with a simple range of functionality associated with the user's most commonly used formatting tasks. A gallery of thumbnail templates of various document types or other categories is also displayed in association with the second level options. These gallery thumbnails provide an easy and engaging manner for discovering and using advanced features in the Office suite of application programs.