1. A computer-implemented method for providing application assistance information in a task pane, the method comprising: receiving a request to display in a task pane application assistance information related to a task that a user can perform through an application page, wherein the task comprises a plurality of steps, the request received after the user has performed at least one of the plurality of steps in the task, and wherein the user has not received assistance information related to the task for a prior step in the plurality of steps in the task; determining a user progress context that indicates a user's current progress in the plurality of steps in performing the task, by monitoring the user's interaction with the task and wherein determining further comprises identifying data related to the task that the user has entered into the application page; retrieving from a help information data store help information applicable to the determined user progress context; displaying the task pane near the application page, wherein the task pane includes at least part of the retrieved help information related to the determined user progress context and at least a portion of the data that the user has entered into the application; and highlighting one or more regions of the application page related to the determined user progress context and retrieved help information to increase user focus on the regions, wherein the preceding steps are performed by at least one processor.