Patent ID: 7299415

Claim:
A method of providing help information about a process entity, the process entity including a first file defining data and operating procedures associated with at least one process entity parameter, the data including a first help information in a first format, the first help information describing the at least one process entity parameter, the method comprising: presenting a first template including the data associated with the at least one parameter and enabling a first input requesting the first help information in the first format from the first file, wherein the first format does not include a code within the first help information to define a visual presentation characteristic of the first help information; receiving the first input; in response to the first input, presenting a second template containing the first help information in the first format, determining if a second file containing a second help information in a second format is available, the second help information further describing the at least one process entity parameter, and the second format includes at least one code within the second help information to define the visual presentation characteristic of the second help information, presenting a third template if the second help information in the second format is available, the third template enabling a second input requesting the second help information in the second format; and in response to the second input, presenting a fourth template containing the second help information in the second format.