A facility that enables users to compose documents using a computer with facilities to edit, re-format, store, and print documents with maximum flexibility. A typical word-processing system consists of a personal computer running a word-processing program, and an associated printer, such as an inkjet printer, capable of producing high-quality output of many different text fonts as well as diagrams and pictures.

The systems available today fall into three main categories: stand-alone systems supporting one operator; networked systems enabling several operators to share printers and files; hybrid systems attached to a central mainframe or minicomputer and able to perform additional functions. The following features are generally provided. β‎ Document creation and editing, including the ability to

• • insert, delete, copy, and move text around in a document;

• • include text and/or graphics from other files;

• • search for and replace strings in the document.

• • Checking of spelling according to general and specialist dictionary files.

• • Document formatting and printing using a choice of paper sizes and formats with multiple copies as required.

• • Text justification to specified margins with automatic hyphenation.

• • Ability to create a document from a standard template, e.g. one containing a company letter heading.

• • Use of alternative character sets such as bold, italic, underlined.

• • Layout of tables, figures, etc.

• • Substitution of variable information when printing the document, for easy production of form letters, etc.