PURPOSE: To output a document for which color information is included in format information by an easier operation in a desired condition.

CONSTITUTION: The document specified by a pointing device 5 is tentatively read from a floppy disk 10 or a hard disk 11 to a PMEN 2. Then, the format information part of the read document is changed. A character size and a typeface, etc., are set, a color palette window is displayed for a character color, appropriate color is selected and a selected color number is stored in the format information part by a color palette storage system. Also, when a direct storage system is applied by a direct flag, just by changing the R.G.B value of the color number, the color of all format components storing the same number can be changed and also it can be changed while maintaining the same color. After displaying the color palette, at the time of not setting the color information, the color palette is canceled using the pointing device 5.