A method and system for accessing visually obscured data in a data processing system having a computer application displayed concurrently with a video image in a window which partially overlaps the computer application. The location of the video image within the window is maintained in relation to the visually obscured data within the computer application. The video image, which is comprised of a plurality of lines of video data, is then temporarily altered to a translucent state by omitting selected lines of video data. This renders the video image partially visible, allowing the visually obscured data within the computer application to be seen through the video image. The visually obscured data may now be visually accessed through the video image.