JP2001166978A - Method and device for managing electronic document and system for approving document - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain security, and to simplify management in plural electronic documents constituted of a plurality of files whose formats are different. SOLUTION: This device for managing plural electronic documents constituted of a plurality of files FL1-3 whose formats are different is provided with a means for registering attribute tables ZT1-3 being attribute information including the name of the file, the number of pages, and the sequence of arrangement for each of the files FL1-3 into a management table KT, and a means for integrating the files FL1-3 into a single file FM1 and registering an attribute table ZT4 for performing access to the integrated single file FM1 into the management table KT.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats, and a document approval system.

[0002] With the spread of personal computers, all documents have been digitized. Since the contents of documents and applications used for digitization are diverse, there are many different types of electronic documents in file formats. In order to utilize these electronic documents and maintain their security, it is necessary to manage electronic documents in different file formats well.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic documents handled by a computer include many different file formats. For example, in the case of character data, there are file formats according to various word processing software in addition to the text format. For image data, TIFF format, JPEG format, GIF
Format, BMP format, and the like. In the case of moving images and audio data, there are various formats according to the OS and applications, in addition to the MPEG format. There are also various types of archive files.

In some cases, a plurality of files of different formats are collected and used for one purpose. For example, various documents with their respective purposes, such as product plans, management plans, development plans, etc., as well as various plans, reports, manuals, notices, textbooks, materials, etc. ,
It is composed of a set of multiple files of different formats.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, one product planning document SK is composed of one cover, three texts, and two attachments. In that case, the cover,
The text and attached materials are converted into electronic documents, and the file names are “cover.xls”, “text.doc”, and “attached.ti”.
Assume that files of three types of “f” are created.

Conventionally, in order to manage these files, as shown in FIG. 12, the files are stored in one folder whose folder name is, for example, "Syohin". By managing this folder,
The electronic document of the product plan SK can be managed.

[0007]

However, in the management method described above, it is necessary to use an application suitable for each file format in order to open each file. Therefore, the electronic document of the product plan SK cannot be referred to unless the system has all of these applications.

Therefore, for example, when circulating the electronic document of the product planning document SK to a plurality of persons in charge and examining the contents thereof or giving approval to the contents, all of them are added to a system used by each person in charge. Application must be installed.

In the conventional management method described above, the file name of each file is managed, and the management level is low. Therefore, each file is a product plan S
It is not easy to determine what relationship K has.

By the way, it is known to convert a plurality of files of different formats into one PDF file.
Using this, it is conceivable to convert the electronic document of the above product plan SK into one PDF file. According to this method, the entire contents of the electronic document can be viewed by opening the PDF file. However, it is not easy to modify the PDF file when it is necessary to modify the contents as a result of circulation of the product plan SK. In addition, if an application capable of editing a PDF file is prepared for correction, the PDF file may be corrected unexpectedly, which causes a problem in security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to maintain security and facilitate management of a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats. .

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing a plurality of electronic documents including a plurality of files having different formats. Registering attribute information including a file name, the number of pages, and an arrangement order in a management table; integrating the plurality of files into a single file; and accessing the integrated single file Registering the attribute information for management in the management table.

In the method according to the present invention, the second
Is executed when there is an external trigger input. An apparatus according to the invention of claim 3 is an apparatus for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats, and for each of the plurality of files, a file name, a number of pages, and an arrangement. Means for registering attribute information including an order in a management table, means for integrating the plurality of files into a single file, and registration of attribute information for accessing the integrated single file in the management table And means for performing

In the apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information includes information indicating an access level of each file, and the information indicating the access level of the single file includes reading of the file. This is information that permits only.

[0015] In the apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the management table is managed by one document identification code for managing the plurality of files and / or the single file.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for replacing a specific page of the single file with another image data. 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus manages a plurality of electronic documents including a plurality of files having different formats, and for each of the plurality of files, a file name, a number of pages, and an array. Means for registering the attribute information including the order in the management table, means for displaying the file name of the registered file on the display surface, instructing means, and when instructed by the instructing means, Means for integrating files into a single file and registering attribute information for reading the integrated single file in the management table.

A system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a document approval system for obtaining approval for a series of documents including a plurality of pages, and stores a plurality of files corresponding to the series of documents. Means for registering, in a management table, attribute information including a file name, the number of pages, and an arrangement order for each of the plurality of files, and means for displaying the file names of the registered files on a display surface Instruction means for instructing an approval request; and when an approval request is instructed, the plurality of files are integrated into a single file, and only reading of the integrated single file is performed. Means for registering attribute information to be permitted in the management table, and means for reading the single file and displaying it on a display surface to give approval / disapproval. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for storing a plurality of files corresponding to the series of documents, and an attribute including a file name, a number of pages, and an arrangement order for each of the plurality of files. Means for registering information in the management table, means for displaying the file name of the registered file on the display surface, instruction means for instructing an approval request, and when an approval request is instructed. Prohibiting means for integrating the plurality of files into a single file and prohibiting updating of the integrated single file; means for printing the contents of the single file; Means for replacing a specific page with another approved image data.

A recording medium according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a recording medium in which a program for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats is recorded. A process of registering attribute information including a file name, the number of pages, and an arrangement order in a management table; and integrating the plurality of files into a single file and accessing the integrated single file. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the process of registering attribute information in the management table.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a document approval system 1 to which an electronic document management method according to the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, a document approval system 1 includes a server 3 connected to a network NW and a number of terminal devices 4a, 4b, 4c,... Network N
W is a network such as a LAN, a WAN, a public line, a dedicated line, a wireless line, or the Internet, or a combination thereof. Further, a network NW via a plurality of networks may be used. Any or all of the terminal devices 4a, 4b, 4c... May be described as “terminal device 4”.

The server 3 includes a processing device 11, a display device 12, a storage device 13, a medium drive device 14, an input device 15, a printer device 16, an image reader 16, and other interfaces (not shown).

The storage device 13 stores various files, tables, databases, other data or information, and programs. The medium drive device 14
When a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (CD), a floppy disk FD, or a magneto-optical disk is set, it is accessed to read and write data. The processing device 11 executes a program under an OS (operating system) and displays the processing result on the display surface HG of the display device 12 or transmits the processing result to the terminal device 4 via the network NW.

In this embodiment, the server 3
The terminal device 4 displays the electronic document requested for approval on the display surface HG and performs a process of giving approval to the electronic document. Therefore, the server 3 corresponds to the electronic document management device in the present invention. However, it is also possible that the management of the electronic document is performed by a plurality of terminal devices 4. In this case, the terminal device 4 or the server 3 and the terminal device 4 may use the electronic document management device of the present invention. Will be equivalent to Note that a personal computer or the like can be used for the server 3 and the terminal device 4.

Next, a description will be given of the processing and operations from the creation to the approval of the product plan SK shown in FIG. 2 to 4 show the storage device 1 of the server 3.
3 is a diagram showing an example of a file and a configuration management table KT stored in the storage device 3, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display surface HG. FIG. 2 shows each file FL.
Configuration management table K when attribute information items 1 to 3 are registered
FIG. 3 shows the state of the configuration management table KT after the files FL1 to FL3 have been integrated and a single file FM1 has been created.

Normally, when creating one product plan SK, the work is carried out by one creation leader and one or more creation staff. The creation leader determines the content and configuration of the product plan SK and gives instructions to each creation person in order to create it. The creator actually prepares the document according to the instructions, collects the materials,
Digitize them.

[0027] As described above, the product plan SK contains 1
It is assumed that it consists of one cover, three texts, and two attachments. The creator uses the server 3 or the terminal device 4 for digitization. As a result, the file names are “Cover.xls”, “Body.doc”, and “Attachment.ti”.
f ”, three different files FL1, 2, 3 are created. The created files FL1 to FL3 are collected under a creation reader and stored in the storage device 13 of the server 3. The creation leader coordinates them, corrects, adds, or deletes the contents as necessary, and creates the file FM1 for approval request. Note that each of the files FL1 to FL1
3. An application for handling FM1 is installed in the server 3.

That is, the creation reader first checks the contents of each of the three files FL1 to FL3, corrects them as necessary, and registers their attribute information in the configuration management table KT.

Upon registration in the configuration management table KT, a registration screen HG1 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display surface HG. When a file name is input in the file instruction field and an “add” button is clicked, the file name is added to the configuration file field KF and written. To input the attribute information of the file in which the file name is written, double-click the file name in the configuration file field KF. Then, the component input screen H shown in FIG.
G2 is displayed.

In FIG. 6, the component name of the file in the product plan SK is entered in the component name column, and the number of pages included in the file is entered in the page number column. The component name is, for example, a cover, a text, an attached document, a material, or the like. When the "OK" button is clicked, they are input and the screen returns to the registration screen HG1.

In the registration screen HG1, numbers are assigned in the order in which they are registered in the configuration file field KF.
Is set automatically. The type of the application is automatically identified from the file identifier of the file name, and is input in the “type of application”. Also, the registration screen HG
For the file registered in step 1, "update" is automatically set as the "use". These items are
If automatic setting is not possible, it may be manually input on a screen (not shown). here,
“Order” is the order in all files registered as the product plan SK. "Application type"
Is the name of the application that opens or updates the file.

"Use" is information indicating the access level to each file. That is, if the file can be read and written, "update" is input, and if only the file can be read, "reference" is input. In this way, by registering the usage, when accessing the file registered in the configuration management table KT,
A file registered as “for update” can be read and written, and a file registered as “for reference” can be read only. by this,
Security management can be performed for each file.

Thus, the three files FL1 to FL1
Register 3. The state of the configuration management table KT at this time is shown in FIG. When the “numbering” button is clicked, the issue number is automatically numbered. The “issuing date” is automatically entered with the system date of the day, but can also be corrected manually. When inputting image data, a document is set on the image reader 17 and a "scanner input" button is clicked.

In FIG. 2, the configuration management table KT is
The document ID is "Syohin", and three attribute tables ZT1 to 3 are registered therein. This document I
D corresponds to the document identification code in the present invention.

The attribute table ZT1 contains the file FL1
Has been registered. In other words, the attribute information is that the configuration name is “cover”, the number of pages is “1”, the application type is “Excel”, the order is “1”, the application is “update”, and the file name is “cover.xls”. is there.

Similarly, in the attribute table ZT2, attribute information about the file FL2 is registered, and the composition name is "text", the number of pages is "3", the application type is "word", and the order is "2". , The usage is “for update”, and the file name is “text.doc”. Attribute table ZT3
, Attribute information about the file FL3 is registered, the configuration name is “attached”, the number of pages is “2”, the application type is “imager”, the order is “3”, the usage is “update”, The file name is “attachment.tif”.

The type and file name of the application are hidden from the user of the terminal device 4. Now, when the "approval request" button BT1 is clicked on the screen HG1 of FIG. 5, the approval request screen H shown in FIG.
G3 is displayed. On the approval request screen HG3, the file names of the files FL1 to FL3 and their attribute information are displayed. Also, columns such as a request number, a request date, a requester, a checker, an approver, a target model, and a target item are displayed.
These fields are entered automatically or manually.

On the approval request screen HG3, by clicking an "execute" button BT2, an approval request process is executed. The click of the "execute" button BT2 corresponds to a trigger input in the present invention. In the approval request processing, the three files FL1 to 3 are integrated into a single file FM1, and the integrated single file FM1
Attribute information for accessing the configuration management table KT
1 is automatically performed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the integrated file FM1 is added, and the attribute table ZT4 for the file FM1 is created and registered in the configuration management table KT.

The file FM1 is a PDF (Portab)
le Document format) file. A PDF file is a standard file format of an electronic document distributed via the Internet. Layout and font information are included in the file and can be displayed in the same format without depending on the user's system. it can. For creating a PDF file, for example, "Acrobat" of Adobe Systems Incorporated is used. In the case of browsing only, "Acrobat Reader" distributed free of charge may be used.

In the attribute table ZT4, a total number of pages, a file name, and a use are registered. The total number of pages is 3
The total value of the number of pages registered in one attribute table ZT is automatically calculated. Here, it is “6”. In the file name, a version number is added to the document ID, and an identifier indicating the file format is added. Here, the version number is “03” and is “Syohin03.pdf”. The usage is registered as “for reference”.

The configuration management table KT is managed by an upper management table AT. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the management table AT includes the document ID “Syoh”.
in "and the version number" 03 "are registered. Based on this management table AT, a document attribute table BT, a history management table RT, and the above-described configuration management table K
T has been created.

In the history management table RT, for the product planning document SK whose document ID is “Syohin”,
History information such as an approval request and its result, and distribution is recorded.

Now, in the approval request processing described above,
An e-mail is sent to the person who requests the approval, that is, the person who determines whether to approve the product plan SK. The e-mail sends an address (URL) for accessing the product plan SK for approval.

Upon receiving the e-mail, the approver operates the terminal device 4 to connect to the sent address as appropriate, inputs an ID and password, and logs in. Then, the product plan book SK is selected from the approval request list. Then, the document attribute table B shown in FIG.
T and the contents of the history management table RT are displayed on the display surface HG. Then, when the "document content display" button displayed on the display surface HG is clicked, the access level is checked, the management table AT and the configuration management table KT are referred to, the content of the file FM1 is read, and the terminal concerned is read. It is displayed on the display surface HG of the device 4.

The approver displays the file FM1 on the display surface HG.
By looking at the contents of (1), the contents of the product plan SK can be confirmed, and it can be determined whether or not the approval has been granted. At this time, the attribute table Z of the configuration management table KT
In T4, since it is recorded as a use for reference, only reading of the file FM1 is possible.
The content cannot be changed. Therefore, the identity of the electronic document in the approval request is maintained.

When the product plan SK is approved, the file FM1 is formally registered with information such as the approver and the approval date. If the approval is rejected, the creation leader sets the file FM1 or the file FL
Correct the contents of 1-3 and request approval again.

In FIG. 7, when the "Request Form Print" button BT3 is clicked, the contents of the file FM1, that is, the product plan SKS, are requested for approval by printed matter.
Is printed on paper by the printer device 16.

Next, the overall flow of the operation and processing of the document approval system 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the operation and processing of the document approval system 1.

In FIG. 8, a document serving as a source of an approval request is created (# 11). Digitize the created document,
Create a file FL and register it in the system (# 1
2). The creation leader edits those files FL,
Input attribute information and register it in attribute table ZT (# 1)
3). An operation for an approval request is performed (# 14). As a result, the approval request processing is started, and the integrated file F
M is created, and its attribute information is registered in the attribute table ZT4 (# 15).

The approver operates the terminal device 4 to view the contents of the file FM1 and determines whether or not to approve the approval (# 1).
6, # 17). If the approval is given, the file FM is officially stored (# 18).

According to the embodiment described above, the file F
L1 to L3 and the file FM1 are stored in the configuration management table K.
Starting with T, the document attribute table BT, the history management table RT, and the management table AT enable fine-grained management. Therefore, each file F
The configuration of L and the file FM is clear, and security per file and security according to the application can be easily and effectively realized. Hiding the physical path and file name from the user also increases confidentiality.

In the above-described embodiment, the integrated file FM is a PDF file. However, it is possible to use various types of files such as a file that can handle images and a file that can handle multimedia. . For example, HTML format, XML format, TIFF format, JPEG format, GIF format, BMP format, MPEG
It is also possible to use a format.

Depending on the contents of the document, the file FM, which is an integrated file, can be used for purposes other than requesting approval. For example, the file FM may be made public for public viewing. In that case, the file FM
May be transferred to a public folder or server, particularly, for example, a WWW server, and appropriate access may be permitted.

In this case, it is also possible to create, edit, and organize the files FL, integrate the files FM1, register the attribute table ZT, and the like on the Internet. Therefore, after the documents created dispersedly on the Internet are collected and the overall agreement is obtained,
It is possible to integrate them as one file FM for publication, and to publish or promulgate the integrated file FM.

In the above embodiment, the procedure for approval was performed in the state of the electronic document. However, in determining whether or not to approve the approval, it may be easier to rely on the printed matter. Next, such an example will be described as a second embodiment.

The structure of the document approval system 1B of the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the document approval system 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the contents shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 are also applied to the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the second embodiment,
Further, a circulation process and a cover data exchanging process by a printed matter are added. Therefore, only the differences will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document approval system 1B of the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the entire operation and processing of the document approval system 1B.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the approval request is executed, the contents of the file FM are printed on paper by the printer device 16, and the approval document PP is created. At this time, the request number NRA displayed on the approval request screen HG3 is printed on the lower part of the approval document PP. At the same time, as described above, the reference use is registered in the attribute table ZT4. When the file FM is registered in the attribute table ZT4 for reference, the content of the file FM is locked (exclusive) and cannot be updated. Therefore, this corresponds to the prohibition means in the present invention.

The approver judges the approval or disapproval by looking at the approval document PP distributed or circulated. In the case of approval, the approval stamp SN is placed on the top of the cover of the approval document PP.
Press N. Comments can also be written. The cover of the approved document for approval PP is set on the image reader 17, read by a scanner, and input as image data.

In the main registration process, the first page of the file FM is replaced with the input image data. That is, the cover on which the approval stamp SNN is pressed is the cover of the first page of the file FM. This is registered as a formal file FMS.

In FIG. 10, the integrated file FM is created in step # 35, and the
At 6, the approval document PP is printed. The printed approval document PP is hidden for inspection for approval (# 3
7). If the approval is permitted, an approval mark is stamped on the cover, and the cover is read by the scanner to be image data (# 39), which is replaced with the cover of the file FM (# 40).

According to the second embodiment, when it is difficult to judge the approval by the electronic document, the approval can be judged by the approval document PP instead, and the result is stored as the electronic document. be able to. The approval by the electronic document and the approval by the approval document PP can be operated in parallel by one document approval system 1B, and the consistency of the electronic document and the electronic data can be maintained.

The approval document PP includes a request number NR
In addition to A, print various information such as unique ID, page information, precise logo that is difficult to falsify, information of approver, status information indicating when the document status was printed at each approval request. Can be. In order to guarantee the structure of the approval document PP, it is preferable to print or stamp all the pages. For this purpose, for example, electronic data to be printed may be temporarily converted to Postscript (P / S), and a stamp function may be incorporated in the printer driver. This is effective in preventing tampering.
If the process of replacing the cover with the approval stamp SNN is not performed, registration as a formal document is prohibited so that the result of the approval is securely stored as electronic data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a form of a recording medium ST of a program for executing the method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, a storage device STA such as a main memory, a RAM, a ROM, or a hard disk provided in the processing device PS, a portable medium STB such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, or a magneto-optical disk, a network, or a communication device. A server connected via the line STD or a line destination medium STC such as DASD is used as the recording medium ST.
Available as

If the recording medium ST is a portable medium STB, the program is read by a drive device corresponding to the type of the portable medium STB and stored in the storage device STA of the processing device PS or stored in the main memory. Loaded and executed. When the recording medium ST is the line destination medium STC, the program is downloaded to the storage device STA via the communication line STD, or is transferred and executed at appropriate times. The programs can be supplied to operate under various OSs, platforms, system environments, or network environments.

In the above embodiment, the configurations of the document approval systems 1 and 1B, the configurations, contents, names, screen contents, processing contents and order of the files FL and FM are appropriately changed in accordance with the gist of the present invention. can do.

[0068]

According to the present invention, security can be maintained and management of a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats can be facilitated.

Further, even if one document is created by distributing it into a plurality of files of different formats, it becomes possible to integrate and present one document at a desired timing. , Each person in charge of creation can arbitrarily select and create word processing software to be used by themselves, and the viewer of the document does not need to be aware of the document configuration file or the creation tool such as the word processor used. Documents can be referenced.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to judge approval by using a printed matter instead of an electronic document, and the result can be stored as an electronic document.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a document approval system to which an electronic document management method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file and a configuration management table stored in a storage device of a server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file and a configuration management table stored in a storage device of a server.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file and a configuration management table stored in a storage device of a server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display surface.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display surface.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display surface.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of operation and processing of the document approval system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the document approval system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of operation and processing of the document approval system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product planning document.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic document created for a product planning document.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a form of a recording medium of a program for executing the method according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1B Document Approval System (Electronic Document Management Device) 3 Server (Electronic Document Management Device) 4 Terminal Device (Electronic Document Management Device) 11 Processing Device 12 Display Device 13 Storage Device (Storage Area) 14 Media Drive Device 15 Input device (instruction means) 16 Printer device 17 Image reader BT2 Execute button (instruction means) KT management table NW Network HG Display surface CD CD-ROM (recording medium) FD Floppy disk (recording medium) ST Recording medium

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats, comprising: a file name;
A first step of registering attribute information including a page number and an arrangement order in a management table; and attribute information for integrating the plurality of files into a single file and accessing the integrated single file. And a second step of registering the electronic document in the management table. 2. The electronic document management method according to claim 1, wherein said second step is executed when a trigger is input from outside. 3. An apparatus for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats, wherein each of the plurality of files has a file name,
Means for registering attribute information including the number of pages and arrangement order in a management table; means for integrating the plurality of files into a single file; and attribute information for accessing the integrated single file. And a means for registering in a management table. An electronic document management device, comprising: 4. The attribute information includes information indicating an access level of each file, and the information indicating an access level of a single file is information permitting only reading of the file. The electronic document management device according to claim 3. 5. The management table according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of files and / or the single file is managed.
The electronic document management device according to claim 3, wherein the electronic document management device is managed by one document identification code. 6. The electronic document management apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for replacing a specific page of said single file with another image data. 7. An apparatus for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats, wherein each of the plurality of files has a file name,
Means for registering attribute information including the number of pages and arrangement order in the management table, means for displaying the file name of the registered file on the display surface, instruction means, and when an instruction is given by the instruction means Means for integrating the plurality of files into a single file, and registering attribute information for reading out the integrated single file in the management table. Electronic document management device. 8. A document approval system for obtaining approval of a series of documents composed of a plurality of pages, comprising: a storage area for storing a plurality of files corresponding to the series of documents; File name,
Means for registering attribute information including the number of pages and arrangement order in the management table; means for displaying the file name of the registered file on the display surface; instruction means for instructing a request for approval; and approval Means for integrating the plurality of files into a single file, and registering in the management table attribute information that permits only reading of the integrated single file when the instruction is issued. Means for reading out the single file to give approval / disapproval and displaying the file on a display surface. 9. A document approval system for requesting approval of a series of documents composed of a plurality of pages, comprising: a storage area for storing a plurality of files corresponding to the series of documents; File name,
Means for registering attribute information including the number of pages and arrangement order in the management table, means for displaying the file name of the registered file on the display surface, means for instructing a request for approval, and approval Prohibiting means for integrating the plurality of files into a single file and prohibiting updating of the integrated single file, and printing the contents of the single file Means for replacing a specific page of the single file with another approved image data. 10. A recording medium on which a program for managing a plurality of electronic documents composed of a plurality of files having different formats is recorded, wherein for each of the plurality of files, a file name,
Registering attribute information including the number of pages and arrangement order in a management table; integrating the plurality of files into a single file; and managing the attribute information for accessing the integrated single file. A computer-readable recording medium that records a process for registering in a table and a program for causing a computer to execute the process.