SETTING TEXT COMPOSITION SPACING AMOUNT

Methods and apparatus for setting a text composition spacing amount in a DTP system. An inter-character class spacing amount setting table for use in line composition groups similar characters, forms a several character classes and sets inter-character spacing amounts between a character class of a previous character and a character class of a next character within a pair of continuous characters. A user can select a basic settings mode for setting the inter-character spacing amount using a character class relationship table defining a relationship between the character class for the previous character and the character class for the next character; or a detailed settings mode for setting the inter-character spacing amount directly without using the character class relationship table. A display device for displaying electronic text that has been line composed and an input device for receiving user input are provided.