A system features a data input scheme in which the nature of the entered data is irrelevant until the requirement made to perform a function with respect to that data. It is only when it becomes necessary to perform a function with respect to the data that the determination of the nature of the data become important. The desired function, which may include editing, rearranging, moving, etc., then results in a determination of the nature of the data in order to enable implementation of that specific function. The nature of the data can be determined to be in the form of a list, table, or diagram. To this end, a screen oriented display processing system is provided for the entry of informational data including a display means, a data entry means for entering informational data on the display means, a gesture entering means for entering handwritten gestural data on the display, the gestural data representing a gesture associated with at least a portion of the informational data on the display, an assignment means responsive to the entry of the gesture for assigning a function representative of the gesture to the portion of the informational data, and an implementing means responsive to the assignment means for implementing the function on the said portion of the informational data.