Abstract: An instance updating method in which an instance of a database displayed by a list can be updated in such a manner that only necessary item is updated when necessary. The instances read from the database are displayed by a list in a state in which inputting is impossible. When an instance to be updated is selected and a command for updating is given, the field of the selected instance is changed into a state in which inputting is possible. After appropriate input is effected, when a command for input confirmation is given, the instance is rewritten into the inputted content, and the instance is returned to the state in which inputting is impossible. The updated instance is reflected in the original database. In a method of generating a fixed format document necessary for carrying out a regular process on marked documents from a marked document already created and preserved, a prepared marked document is read.

Abstract: An instance updating method in which an instance of a database displayed by a list can be updated in such a manner that only necessary item is updated when necessary. The instances read from the database are displayed by a list in a state in which inputting is impossible. When an instance to be updated is selected and a command for updating is given, the field of the selected instance is changed into a state in which inputting is possible. After appropriate input is effected, when a command for input confirmation is given, the instance is rewritten into the inputted content, and the instance is returned to the state in which inputting is impossible. The updated instance is reflected in the original database.

Abstract: A database display system is provided which makes it unnecessary for the user to remember each of the names or locations of display formats in cases where a plurality of display formats are associated with a database. An external storage holds, in addition to a data section for storing instance groups, a management section in which a plurality of display formats are collectively stored. A display format list displaying unit displays the display formats stored in the management section in the form of a list to permit a desired display format to be selected and specified, and the display conditions of the specified display format are analyzed by a display format analyzing unit. When instances are read from the data section by instance read-in means, they are edited in memory means according to the analyzed display format, and a list of the edited instances is displayed by a display unit.