A document processing apparatus comprises: a storing portion for storing document data; an instruction generation portion for generating a first set of instructions and second sets of instructions with regard to the document data in response to a first user, each of the second sets of instructions assigned to each of second users; and an automatic processing control portion for sequentially changing a parson who can access to the document data from one of second users to another of the second users and for controlling of execution of the second sets of instructions for the parson. The first set of instructions and second sets of instructions are transmitted together with the document data through a mail box system. A user having or treating the document data is supervised by providing a management table. When the document is transmitted to another user, the name of the user is stored in the management table.