Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a format for displaying information in a display area coupled to a computer system, the format being based on the size of the display area and the amount of information to display. As a user continues to enter information in the display area, software program instructions update the format of the information when the amount of information to display changes. This includes reducing the size of the font as additional information is entered and enlarging the size of the font when enough information is deleted to create available space. The font type and/or the font size may be changed to allow the information to fit within the available display area. The size of the text may be reduced to a minimum level and, and as more information is entered, the display is scrolled so the user may view the most recently entered data. A scale also be determined to reduce or enlarge graphics information so that it fits within the available display area.