Word processor for locating beginning position of text element and displaying corresponding formatting data and formatting mark separately

Claim 1

In a word processor for processing a text composed of a plurality of text elements, each of said text elements constituted of a series of characters, each of said text elements being individually formatted according to a corresponding format data and being displayed on a text area of a screen, said word processor also displaying a predetermined formatting mark on a partial area of said screen outside of said text area, a beginning position of each of said text elements being indicated by said predetermined formatting mark; the improvement comprising: means for storing data concerning said series of characters and said format data in association with each other; means for placing a cursor in said text area to select one of a plurality of displayed text elements; means connected to said placing means for retrieving said beginning position of said selected text element; means for controlling movement of said cursor in such a manner as to move said cursor to a position where said predetermined formatting mark is displayed and corresponded to said beginning position retrieved by said retrieving means; means connected to said retrieving means for displaying the format data corresponding to the selected text element on a display area outside said text area and said partial area; and a search key for operating said retrieving means.