1. A method of aiding a user in using features of a software application, the method comprising: receiving from a user a selection of a layout to be used in generating an informational display for presenting results of a data repository query, wherein the user selects the layout by selecting an existing informational display on which the informational display is to be based; extracting, using a filter, at least one user-changeable code portion from the existing informational display by placing the at least one user-changeable code portion in a file, wherein at least one input field is bound, using an XPATH statement, to the extracted code portion, the filter recognizing the at least one user-changeable code portion from another code portion corresponding to a feature of the layout not changeable by the user, the file isolating the at least one user-changeable code portion from the other portion which is not changeable by the user, the user-changeable code portion corresponding to at least one feature of the layout configured to allow changes by the user, the binding performed using the XPATH statement to generate a new node in the informational display if the new node is specified by the XPATH statement and does not yet exist in the informational display; displaying to the user the at least one input field and an image of a sample informational display that is based on the selected layout, the at least one input field being displayed in association with at least one feature shown in the displayed sample image; and receiving via the at least one input field user input to be used in modifying the at least one feature in the informational display.