DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL USING A PRINTED FORM

A method of retrieving a document from a database of hierarchical electronic document versions is disclosed. Each document version is associated with a unique document instance. In the method a search form is printed. The search form includes a search instruction input field relating to at least one parameter of a search to be carried out within the database and a plurality of coded data tags. Each coded data tag encodes a location of that coded data tag on the search form. The coded data tags are sensed by a sensing device as the sensing device is used to handwrite at least one search term on the search form. Data representing the parameter and the at least one search term is generated, with the data representing the at least one search term being generated from the locations of the coded data tags. Next, a search is carried out within the database based on the at least one search term and parameter in order to identify document versions. A results form is printed, with the results form containing data representing the document versions identified in the search and coded data tags. By sensing one or more coded data tags on the results form, the document version associated with the coded data tag sensed on the results form is retrieved and printed.