A character data input method for an information processing system. Image information on a form which has only a format and on which no data is recorded is read from an input unit for inputting image information. A plurality of input areas in which data is recorded is prescribed by utilizing this image information. Image information on the same form on which data is recorded is thereafter read from the input unit. The format and data are discriminated from image information on the form on which data is recorded based on the recognized character pattern and border pattern of the format and the information prescribing the data input areas to recognize a character pattern in each data input area.
