Abstract: A method controls the printing of documents created by interactive text processing systems so that the document image is positioned on the paper in the same location when the document is printed by two different printers with different paper positioning parameters. The method assists the operator in defining to the system the paper positioning parameters of each printer attached to the system so that the location of the first print position of the printer is established relative to the top and left edges of the paper. The text processing program also establishes the location of the first print (typing) position of the document image on the display relative to the top and left edges of the document image. Printer control codes are developed and sent to the printer which align the edges of the document image with the corresponding edges of the paper at its initial printing position by taking into account the relative locations of the first print positions of the printer and document image.

Abstract: A word processing program is configured to produce a series of examples, for operator examination, of alternative implementations of certain printer functions. By observing the printer performance and physical appearance during the printing of these examples, the operator interactively chooses one of a plurality of implementations for each of these functions. The operator choices of implementation are saved by the work processing program and subsequent printing is effected in accordance with the implementation chosen by the operator.