Abstract: A typewriter may store a document in a first format with margins and tab stop locations defined for a first format and then the operator may change the margin or tabs to a second format. The operator may also select whether the tab stop locations may be played out with the same relative positioning to the left margin or be played out using the newly set tabs and margin setting. The newly set tab stop locations are defined as a fixed position relative to the print line and are independent of the left margin position or the position of the original tab stop location relative to the left margin.The memory of the typewriter may be optionally updated when the document is played out using the second format tab stop locations, if the operator conditions the storage to accept changes during playout. Alternatively, the document may be played out using the second format tab stop locations, and the original format tab stop locations are maintained for future use.

Abstract: The invention automatically divides the text at the end of the page in such a way that widow lines and orphan lines of text do not exist. The typewriter shifts the effective page end point to shift the orphan line of text to the next page of text or delays the page ending to accommodate the widow line on the present page rather than forcing the line to the top of the next page. The text is not altered in the memory of the typewriter and no stop codes or page end codes are inserted in the text memory, thereby eliminating revision problems with the paginated text.

Abstract: A terminal connected to a data communication system and has an output device such as a printer or display and has a memory. The terminal stores the handshaking information received by the terminal from the data communication system as a communication session is established, translates the stored handshaking information into a suitable format for the output device, and supplies the translated data to the output device to inform the operator of the nature of the data communication system.