to enter the information when the data entry fields do not fit onto the display at the same time it is difficult for the user to get an overall understanding of the type and organization of the data to be entered the hierarchical data entry mechanism allows a user to understand the overall organization of the data to be entered even though the all data entry fields would not fit onto the display at the same time fig8 a illustrates an outline format of a sample form to be filled in the sample form contains various sections identified by letters a b c and d when the user selects the start button then section a expands to include the data entry fields for the customer name and address fig8 b illustrates the expansion of section a since only section a has been expanded the user can view the data entry fields of section a and summary information of the other sections at the same time the user then enters data in the various data entry fields that are displayed upon completion the user selects either the next or previous buttons the next button causes section a to be collapsed and section b to be expanded so that financial information may be entered fig8 c illustrates the expansion of section b if the previous button is selected then section a would collapse and be displayed as shown in fig8 a this collapsing and expanding is repeated for each section at any time during the data entry if an error is detected then a web page is generated with the error message in close proximity e g on the line below to the data entry field that contains the.