Automatic format control for text printing system

Abstract

An automatic format control for controlling text format upon playout from a text buffer loaded from segmented media, such as magnetic cards. At the beginning of a job and during input keying, format information made up of tab set locations, a measure length, index values, adjust modes, etc., is stored in a text buffer. The keying of this information causes appropriate printer format control settings. Text to be formatted and controlled by the printer according to this format information is then keyed and stored in the text buffer. A later change in format for the same page of the job is handled by keying new format information. This results in new printer tab, etc., settings. This new format information is also stored in the text buffer. Upon later recording onto a magnetic card, all format information is stored on the card along with the text. Also, the last format information recorded on the card is written into a format buffer. This last format information will remain in control until new format information is keyed and stored for a subsequent page. Thus, a history of format information from a previous card will be preserved in the event editing of text overlapping two consecutive cards becomes necessary.