JPH05307575

PURPOSE:To use a keyboard to perform efficient retrieval by adding the code for classification of each classification item to display it and inputting the code of a desired classification item to designate a retrieval range. CONSTITUTION:A control means 18 reads out a prescribed picture from a memory 12 based on the command from a keyboard 14, and a picture synthesizing means 22 adds the code of each item to a picture expressing classification to synthesize pictures, and the synthesized picture is displayed on a display means 16 by the command of the control means 18. An operator sees the display picture on the display means 16 to input the code of a desired item from the keyboard 14. Contents of this code are discriminated by a retrieval range discriminating means 24, and the control means 18 displays contents of the designated item, for example, a list of document names included in this item on the display means 16 as a table. When a cursor is moved to a desired document name on the table of this list by the keyboard 14 and a select key is depressed, this document is selected, and the picture of the selected document can be displayed.