1. A word processor comprising: input means including a keyboard with a plurality of keys, each associated with a different graphic or function including at least two cursor control keys, said input means producing a unique key code for each actuated key or group of keys, display means including a cathode ray tube for producing a visible image of multiple line of text in response to a periodically repeating video signal and associated horizontal and vertical sync signals, said visible image including a cursor positioned in response to actuation of said cursor control keys, control means responsive to said input means for manipulating and storing said unique key codes and for controlling said display means, wherein the improvement comprises: dispaly control means in said control means for generating one of a first and second video signal, for driving said display means, in response to selection of one of a first and second display mode respectively, said first video signal producing an unformatted text display having less display text lines than in a typical page, and less text character capacity per text line than in a typical page, said second video signal producing a formatted display of capacity at least equal to the number of lines in a typical page wherein each of a plurality of different text characters is represented by and identical visible image.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second video signal provides display including at least S characters per row and T rows/screen and wherein: said display control means includes a page refresh RAM of byte capacity no greater than S*T/n, wherein n is an integer greater than 1, and means for generating said second video signal in response to data read from said page refresh RAM, a conventional CRT chip emitting timing signals for reading out said page refresh RAM at U characters per row and V rows/screen, wherein S is greater than U or T is greater than V, said display control means further includes page refresh writing means for writing said page refresh RAM with signals to display T rows of text, each of S characters per row.