Apparatus and method for processing information, and program and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention allows a user to efficiently perform a setting operation in an automatic layout system. To accomplish this object, an information processing apparatus has the following configuration. An information processing apparatus having an automatic layout function includes a function for, in editing containers, measuring a distance between a first container placed on the document and a second container placed on the document (step S 1102 ), determining whether or not the distance is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance (step S 1103 ), and if the distance is determined to be equal to or shorter than the predetermined distance, automatically setting the link between the first and second containers (step S 1104 ).

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . An information processing method for setting a constraint that associates a first data field with a second data field of a plurality of data fields on a template, the method comprising:
 a first setting step of setting a setting manner of the constraint, wherein when data is input into the first and second data fields on the template, the constraint associates the first data field with the second data fields so that each size of the first and second data fields is determined on the basis of the data;   a second setting step of setting the constraint between the first and second data fields if a user selects just both of the first and second data fields;   a third setting step of setting the constraint between the first and second data fields even if a user does not select just the first and second data fields; and   a determining step of determining whether to execute said second setting step or said third setting step in accordance with the setting manner set in said first setting step.   
   
   
       35 . The information processing method according to  claim 34 , further comprising a forth setting step of setting a condition for setting the constraint, wherein said third setting step determines whether to set the constraint between the first and second data fields in accordance with the condition set in said forth setting step. 
   
   
       36 . The information processing method according to  claim 35 , wherein said forth setting step sets a distance between two of the plurality of data fields as a condition for setting the constraint, and said third setting step derives a distance between the first and second data fields and determines whether to set the constraint between the first and second data fields on the basis of the derived distance and the condition set in said forth setting step. 
   
   
       37 . The information processing method according to  claim 34 , further comprising a fifth setting step of setting a type of constraint to be set between the first and second data fields. 
   
   
       38 . An information processing apparatus having a processor and memory comprising a control unit configured to set a constraint that associates a first data field with a second data field of a plurality of data fields on a template, the apparatus comprising:
 a first setting unit configured to set a setting manner of the constraint, wherein when data is input into the first and second data fields on the template, the constraint associates the first data field with the second data fields so that each size of the first and second data fields is determined on the basis of the data;   a second setting unit configured to set the constraint between the first and second data fields if a user selects just both of the first and second data fields;   a third setting unit configured to set the constraint between the first and second data fields even if a user does not just select the first and second data fields; and   a determining unit configured to determine whether to execute said second setting unit or said third setting unit in accordance with the setting manner set by said first setting unit.   
   
   
       39 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 38 , further comprising a forth setting unit configured to set a condition for setting the constraint, wherein said third setting unit determines whether to set the constraint between the first and second data fields in accordance with the condition set in said forth setting step. 
   
   
       40 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein said forth setting unit sets a distance between two of the plurality of data fields as a condition for setting the constraint, and said third setting unit derives a distance between the first and second data fields and determines whether to set the constraint between the first and second data fields on the basis of the derived distance and the condition set by said forth setting unit. 
   
   
       41 . The information processing apparatus according to  claim 38 , further comprising a fifth setting unit configured to set a type of constraint to be between the first and second data fields. 
   
   
       42 . A program stored in a computer-readable medium for causing a computer provided in an information processing apparatus to execute a method for setting a constraint that associates a first data field with a second data field of a plurality of data fields on a template, the program causing the computer to execute:
 a first setting step of setting a setting manner of the constraint, wherein when data is input into the first and second data fields on the template, the constraint associates the first data field with the second data fields so that each size of the first and second data fields is determined on the basis of the data;   a second setting step of setting the constraint between the first and second data fields if a user selects just both of the first and second data fields;   a third setting step of setting the constraint between the first and second data fields even if a user does not just select the first and second data fields; and   a determining step of determining whether to execute said second setting step or said third setting step in accordance with the setting manner set in said first setting step.   
   
   
       43 . The program according to  claim 42 , further causing the computer to execute a forth setting step of setting a condition for setting the constraint, wherein said third setting step determines whether to set the constraint between the first and second data fields in accordance with the condition set in said forth setting step. 
   
   
       44 . The program according to  claim 43 , wherein said forth setting step sets a distance between two of the plurality of data fields as a condition for setting the constraint, and said third setting step derives a distance between the first and second data fields and determines whether to set the constraint between the first and second data fields on the basis of the derived distance and the condition set in said forth setting step. 
   
   
       45 . The program according to  claim 42 , further causing the computer to execute a fifth setting step of setting a type of constraint to be set between the first and second data fields.