20. In a data processing system for composing documents having multiple lines of alphanumeric data comprising: means for entering data and commands relating to a document to be composed; data processor means for processing said data and for executing commands; memory means for storing data and commands; a plurality of data presentation output means for presenting the document in a final form; means for selecting a first format for defining data presentation characteristics for at least a first portion of the document and for associating a first abstract format name with the first format upon entry of said first abstract format name via said means for entering; means for defining a first set of data presentation characteristics for a first data presentation output means and for associating said first set of characteristics with said first abstract format name; means for defining a second set of data presentation characteristics, which are independent from said first set of data presentation characteristics, for a second data presentation output means without affecting the data presentation characteristics defined for said first data presentation output means and for associating said second set of data presentation characteristics with said first abstract format name; means for associating with every line in the document an abstract format name which is linked to a data presentation characteristic defining format; means responsive to the entry of said first abstract format name for formatting the lines in the document on said first data presentation means to correspond with said first set of data presentation characteristics and for formatting the lines on said second data presentation output means to correspond with said second set of data presentation characteristics; and means for displaying the document during composition in a form substantially the same as the final form display.
20. In a data processing system for composing documents having multiple lines of alphanumeric data comprising: means for entering data and commands relating to a document to be composed; data processor means for processing said data and for executing commands; memory means for storing data and commands; a plurality of data presentation output means for presenting the document in a final form; means for selecting a first format for defining data presentation characteristics for at least a first portion of the document and for associating a first abstract format name with the first format upon entry of said first abstract format name via said means for entering; means for defining a first set of data presentation characteristics for a first data presentation output means and for associating said first set of characteristics with said first abstract format name; means for defining a second set of data presentation characteristics, which are independent from said first set of data presentation characteristics, for a second data presentation output means without affecting the data presentation characteristics defined for said first data presentation output means and for associating said second set of data presentation characteristics with said first abstract format name; means for associating with every line in the document an abstract format name which is linked to a data presentation characteristic defining format; means responsive to the entry of said first abstract format name for formatting the lines in the document on said first data presentation means to correspond with said first set of data presentation characteristics and for formatting the lines on said second data presentation output means to correspond with said second set of data presentation characteristics; and means for displaying the document during composition in a form substantially the same as the final form display. 22. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said first format corresponds to the format used to define at least one of the left and right margins and indentation points for the main body of textual material and wherein said means for defining at least one characteristic includes means for selecting at lest left and right margins to be associated with said first named format.