To indicate the implementation of retrieval, classification, distribution, and summarization while imparting a visual direct operation feeling to a document data base and condition parameters by carrying out a corresponding document process such as retrieval for a document of a document relative icon or document data base by using parameters stored in the selected condition icon.

A CPU confirms whether or not one of a condition icon and a document icon is dragged and dropped (D&D) on the other. When the D&D is done, the parameter set of the dragged and dropped condition icon is read out of a parameter set storage area and a document process for retrieval is performed for the document. Then when the condition icon 66 is dragged and dropped on the document icon 41, the CPU uses the parameter set stored in the condition icon 66 for retrieval to retrieve a document similar to the object document A from the document data base and displays the result of the document process on a display device.