an improved method and apparatus for hierarchically integrating help information across multiple applications is disclosed . in a computer system having a first application program including a first set of help files and a second application program including a second set of help files , the integrated help utility of the present invention includes a process for displaying selected information in the first and second help files , the process comprises the steps of : 1 ) providing a first help directory associated with the first set of help files , the first help directory includes a first plurality of topic items corresponding to information provided in the first set of help files ; 2 ) providing a second help directory associated with the second set of help files , the second help directory includes a second plurality of topic items corresponding to information provided in the second set of help files ; 3 ) displaying the first plurality of topic items concurrently with the second plurality of topic items ; 4 ) selecting a selected one of the topic items from either the first plurality of topic items or the second plurality of topic items ; 5 ) accessing an individual help file of either the first set of help files or the second set of help files , the accessed individual help file corresponds to the selected one of the topic items ; and 6 ) displaying information contained in the individual help file .