8. In a document preparation system having a programmable digital computer, input means coupled to said programmable digital computer for supplying input text and graphics digital signals thereto for being converted into a visual document, output means coupled to said programmable digital computer for receiving formatted graphic and text signals therefrom for creating the visual document using said supplied input text and graphic signals as an indication of the informational content of the document, data storage means coupled to said programmable digital computer for storing programs of instructions for enabling said programmable digital computer to format the supplied text and graphic signals for visual presentation in the document, a large plurality of electronic font sets of electronic font-generating signals stored in said data storage means for enabling said output means to create graphic characters in accordance with said supplied text and graphic signals, the said graphic characters being indentifiable within any of said electronic font sets by the supplied text and graphic signals and having a shape and characteristic in accordance with said stored electronic font-generating signals of the respective electronic font sets; first index means in said data storage means storing a name for each of said electronic font sets along with a plurality of font characteristics and attributes and a pointer signal indicating the address of the corresponding stored one of said electronic font sets; directory means in said data storage means having a predetermined number of entries for storing corresponding addresses of predetermined ones of said character graphics of predetermined ones of said electronic font sets, said electronic font sets including a number addressable character graphics greater than the number of entries in predetermined ones of said directory means; and font control program indicia in said data storage means for enabling said programmable processor to respond to predetermined ones of said supplied text and graphic digital signals to scan said first index means for identifying an electronic font set having a predetermined set of characteristics and attributes relatable in a predetermined manner to said predetermined ones of supplied text and graphic signals as a source of electronic fonts to be used in visually presenting said document and having directory selecting program indicia to select a directory means for use with said identified electronic font set such that the character graphics to be used in document presentation are inferentially selected via said predetermined set of characteristics and attributes.
8. In a document preparation system having a programmable digital computer, input means coupled to said programmable digital computer for supplying input text and graphics digital signals thereto for being converted into a visual document, output means coupled to said programmable digital computer for receiving formatted graphic and text signals therefrom for creating the visual document using said supplied input text and graphic signals as an indication of the informational content of the document, data storage means coupled to said programmable digital computer for storing programs of instructions for enabling said programmable digital computer to format the supplied text and graphic signals for visual presentation in the document, a large plurality of electronic font sets of electronic font-generating signals stored in said data storage means for enabling said output means to create graphic characters in accordance with said supplied text and graphic signals, the said graphic characters being indentifiable within any of said electronic font sets by the supplied text and graphic signals and having a shape and characteristic in accordance with said stored electronic font-generating signals of the respective electronic font sets; first index means in said data storage means storing a name for each of said electronic font sets along with a plurality of font characteristics and attributes and a pointer signal indicating the address of the corresponding stored one of said electronic font sets; directory means in said data storage means having a predetermined number of entries for storing corresponding addresses of predetermined ones of said character graphics of predetermined ones of said electronic font sets, said electronic font sets including a number addressable character graphics greater than the number of entries in predetermined ones of said directory means; and font control program indicia in said data storage means for enabling said programmable processor to respond to predetermined ones of said supplied text and graphic digital signals to scan said first index means for identifying an electronic font set having a predetermined set of characteristics and attributes relatable in a predetermined manner to said predetermined ones of supplied text and graphic signals as a source of electronic fonts to be used in visually presenting said document and having directory selecting program indicia to select a directory means for use with said identified electronic font set such that the character graphics to be used in document presentation are inferentially selected via said predetermined set of characteristics and attributes. 9. In the document preparation system set forth in claim 8, further including, in combination: second ones of said text and graphics signals including an indication of a coded font having a name, a pointer to a given one of said directory means and a pointer to a given one of said electronic font sets whereby electronic fonts are explicitly selected via said text and graphic signals, and explicit font-selection program indicia in said font control program indicia for enabling said programmable digital computer to respond to said second ones of said text and graphics signals for selecting a one of said directory means and a one of said electronic font sets for use by said output means in presenting a document.