1. A method for defining the format of a form by a computer, the form having a plurality of layout items, the layout items defining the presentation of data of a business application, the method comprising the following steps: providing a logic view with nodes to represent the layout items, the logic view (a) to visualize structure information of the form, (b) to visualize a processing order of the layout items by the position of the nodes, (c) to visualize at least one of the nodes as a selected node to represent a selected layout item; providing a property view to display properties of the selected layout item; providing a layout view to display the layout items, wherein the selected layout item is highlighted; modifying the selected layout item and the processing order through interaction with a user; and creating a form definition document.