There is provided a document image processing apparatus which can reduce troubles to find a desired heading from a document image. A heading region extracting portion searches an index information DB and extracts a heading region containing a search keyword. An order setting portion automatically sets in line with a predetermined rule an order of the heading regions extracted by the heading region extracting portion. On a displaying portion is displayed a document image on which the heading regions extracted by the heading region extracting portion are highlighted in accordance with the order set by the order setting portion. A display order of search results may be set by determining importance of the extracted heading regions based on the number of the search keyword and features of character images in the heading regions.