1. The defined structure of the pattern of information that is to be processed, recorded on magnetic or optical media, displayed on a screen, or printed on a page.

2. To put data into a predetermined structure or divide a storage medium, such as a disk, into sectors, so that it is ready to receive data.

3. The style of character representation as displayed or printed e.g. colour, bold, italic, alignment, etc. (see font).

See also CD-ROM format standards, disk format, file format, instruction format, printer format, tape format.