Method and system for providing context sensitive support for data processing device user search requests

A search support system for providing search support for searching an information data processing application having searchable elements with associated information, the system comprising:

• means for accessing a searchable element of the information data processing application;
• means for requesting search support while accessing the searchable element;
• means for generating a search form having multiple selectable choices in accordance with a subject of information associated with the accessed searchable element;
• means for selecting at least one choice of the search form;
• and
• means for performing a search of the searchable elements using each selected choice as search criteria.

A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for providing search support for searching an information data processing application having searchable elements with associated information, the method comprising the steps of:

• accessing a searchable element of the information data processing application;
• requesting search support while accessing the searchable element;
• generating a search form having multiple selectable choices in accordance with a subject of the information associated with the accessed searchable element;
• selecting at least one choice of the search form;
• and
• performing a search of the searchable elements using each selected choice as search criteria.