Abstract: A data processing system edits a text document stored as at least one alphanumeric string of structured document text and displayed as WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) text. Look characteristics are controlled for a child document element of the text located within a parent document element of the text. The method performs the step of constructing a child resolved look data set necessary to specify a WYSIWYG appearance of the child element by first accessing modified look value customized by the user for first look parameters and accessing defined look values standardized for second look parameters. For those look parameters which are not customized by the user or which are not defined as standard values for the child element, the values are inherited by the child element from the parent element.

Abstract: A method of editing compound documents containing both text and non-text components, such as image, graphics or digital-audio objects. The method transforms a compound document in modified revisable form architecture to an internal editing format. In the transformation process, non-text components are recognized and catalogued in a component index generated for the compound document in the internal editing format. The component index contains information on the characteristics of the non-text components and describes the size, location and type of each non-text component. A reference or referencing control to the non-text component is placed in the text at the location the user wishes to print or display the non-text component in the final document. Through the invention, it is possible to represent and display a single non-text component multiple times within the compound document while storing only a single physical representation of the non-text component within the document.

Abstract: A text processing system is disclosed including an improved method for entering and displaying commands from a keyboard. Normal text being typed in is displayed at a sequentially advancing text cursor position. The user can press a command function-key on the keyboard, signifying that he desires to type in a command word. In response to this, the present position of the text cursor is saved and a command line window is displayed at a position proximate to the saved text cursor position on the display. Then, when a command word is typed in at the keyboard, it is displayed within this floating command line window. This enables the operator to continue to focus his attention in the central portion of the display where he was preparing his text, while entering and observing the display of his typed-in command. In this manner, the operator's attention is not interrupted by having to redirect his attention to either the upper extremity or the lower extremity of the display device.