Patent attributes
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implement techniques for representing control functions in a user application. A group of control palettes is provided in an application window of the user application. A user input associates the group of control palettes with a location within a region extending along one or more borders of a user interface. A stashed palette group is generated in response to the user input. The stashed palette group has an active state and an inactive state. The active state includes an expanded view that includes a representation of control data and/or control functions of one or more of the control palettes, arranged in a floating, non-modal window that covers a portion of the user interface in an area proximate to the location. The inactive state includes a collapsed view of the group arranged along the border in an area proximate to the location.