Character input apparatus for determining the total number of characters which may be written in a predetermined space

A character input apparatus comprising:

• display means;
• input means for inputting input data, said input data including character data representative of characters and command data for defining at least one count area of a document, said said at least one count area being a portion of said document in which characters are to be counted;
• key discrimination means, receiving said input data from said input means, for discriminating contents of said input data;
• data storage means, controlled by said key discrimination means, for storing said character data inputted by said input means;
• count area designation means, controlled by said key discrimination means, for defining and storing said at least one count area of said document in accordance with said command data;
• character discrimination means for storing predetermined character data and determining whether said character data stored in said data storage means are to be counted in accordance with said predetermined character data;
• character count means for calculating (i) a first total number representing a total character capacity of said at least one count area, (ii) a second number representing a quantity of characters, determined to be counted by said character discrimination means, already stored in said data storage means, and (iii) a third number representing a quantity of characters that it is possible to add further to said at least one count area, said character count means cooperating with (i) said data storage means, (ii) said count area designation means and (iii) said character discrimination means;
• and
• character count output means for displaying at least one of said first, second and third numbers on said a display means,
• wherein said at least one of said first, second and third numbers displayed on said display means enables a user to control layout of said document.