PURPOSE: To improve a correction processing speed by comparing the normalized basic feature of each character candidate with that of a character to be input ted, and outputting and displaying the candidate in the order of a higher coinci dence.

CONSTITUTION: A normalized feature information part 10 stores basic features of a normalized character and a normalized graphic corresponding to a character code and a graphic one. A comparing part 11 compares the basic features stored in the information part 10, which correspond to character and graphic codes outputted from a correcting dictionary 7 with the normalized basic features of character and graphic images to be recognized, and outputs the character and graphic with the higher coincidence to a display part 5. thus, with respect to a reading input from a keying part 5, target characters with the 1st and 2nd priorities can be outputted by displaying candidate characters given to an operator, thereby improving the correction processing speed.