Abstract text

During Graphical User Interface (GUI) layout and design, selection of a GUI component causes either the selected component or an ancestor of the selected component to be displayed in a design area. If the selected component is capable of displaying other GUI components within its boundaries, it is the selected component that is displayed in the design area. Otherwise, an ancestor GUI component of the selected component that is capable of displaying other GUI components within its boundaries is displayed in the design area. The displayed component is displayed in a size that is larger than its usual display size, so that component features may more easily be seen and, if desired, manipulated. The larger size may fill the design area. Selection may be effected by a designer or by automatic programmatic selection, e.g., by layout editor software, and may in some cases be a reselection.