Abstract: Text and graphics are justified along one physical dimension to a predetermined line of justification. A plurality of physical parameters are employed in the justification, each of the parameters is assigned a compression and an expansion adjustment ratio. Such ratios define the maximum adjustment range of each of the parameters. A priority of adjustment is assigned to each of the parameters such that one parameter being adjusted and capable of meeting justification needs is adjusted to the exclusion of all other possible parameter adjustments. In vertical justification of a plurality of columns, text distribution precedes the vertical adjustment. For such vertical justification, the priority of adjustment is based upon natural text/graphics breaks; top priority is use of lead outs, second is skips, third is spaces and last is textual adjustments. Justification is preferably proportional, i.e., the ratios are adjusted when the maximum permitted adjustment is not required for justification.

Abstract: Text and graphics are recursively (includes iteratively) distributed among a set of balanceable columns capable of receiving text and graphics. The recursive distributions are at successively varying columnar depths (all columns in each recursion have a common target depth), upon completing each recursion, the difference between the resulting shortest and longest column depths is measured and compared with a standard. If the standard is met, the distribution is made final, otherwise subsequent recursions up to a predetermined number of recursions are employed. If the standard is not met, then after the predetermined number of recursions, the distribution yielding the least differential is selected as the final distribution. Vertical justification of the columns follows.