PURPOSE: To perform the effective use of a data base and access without being conscious of division and to improve the working efficiency of the data base by defining division control information on a record, and dynamically performing record division by utilizing the information.

CONSTITUTION: Each record of the data base 3 is provided with the division control information 7 consisting of the number of effective arranging data, the number of division records, and a record number behind an access key. The logical record editing means 4 of a controller 2 edits and returns one logical record by dividing the record into physical records #1-#3 for retrieval by the access key from a working terminal 1, and coupling stored arranging data. An arranging data reference update means 5 performs processing by making access the arranging data at the corresponding position of the physical record in the data base 3 for the retrieval in which the arranging data number of the logical record is designated. When it is required to change the number of division records by the addition or the deletion of the arranging data. a record division control means 6 performs such processing.