PURPOSE: To make a document with columns set neatly to some extent by an easy operation by providing a frame indication means laying out document component data specified by a user and a layout means laying out the data on a layout execution instruction by the user so that an area corresponding to a frame cannot be overlapped with existing areas.
CONSTITUTION: In a layout processing, from an upmost column 23 of an area 22 which is partially overlapped with a temporary frame 26 a space area 29 adjacent to the area 22 is successively laid out. With the shortage of the space, the space area is laid out further on a column 23 under the range including the area 22. A user indicates a data file of an article by a mouse 10, whereby the temporary frame 26 is compliance with the quantity of the data is displayed. Then, the user indicates the shape and position of the temporary frame 26 by the mouse 10. Only by instructing the execution of a layout operation, the user can lay out the data in compliance with the temporary frame 26 and automatically lay out the set area overlapped with the temporary frame 26. Therefore, even a beginner user having no knowledge of a rule in composing can conduct a high-quality layout operation in a simple manner.
KUWABARA TEIJI
NONAKA NAOMICHI
NAKANE KEIICHI
