method and system enabling a user to select a data element out of a set of available data elements through the use of a hierarchical view . whenever the user needs to choose a data element , the system collects the descriptions of all data elements that are both available and relevant in accordance with the specific use from a set of available data elements through the use of a hierarchical view . the tree represents each entity as a node and the properties of each entity as sub - nodes under it , possibly grouped into property groups represented as tree nodes . the system hides all implementation aspects of the data structure from the user — selection of the required value causes the underlying system to automatically perform all required actions in order to retrieve , calculate or search for the desired data element .