1. In a data processing system having a video display, a processor that runs an application program, and an operating system that includes a per-property browser, a method comprising the steps of: providing an object with associated system defined properties; displaying a list of system defined properties on the video display; providing an object with an associated application defined property; obtaining an identifier to an application defined property type that is defined by the application program; obtaining a current value for tie application defined property; and adding an identifier of the application defined property type and the current value for the application defined property to the list of system defined properties displayed on the video display.