Apparatus for and method of acquiring, processing and routing data contained in a gui window

Apparatus for and a method of acquiring, processing, and routing data contained in a graphical user interface window is described. The data contained in a window (34) selected by the user is captured by an acquisition unit (36) and stored in a data buffer (44). The data, whether string data or bitmapped graphics data, is stored in the data buffer in standard graphical user interface text and/or bitmap format. A user may mark a portion of the text or bitmap graphics contained in the selected window. The processed data is then routed to one or more output devices (46). Output devices may include, for example, files, printers, windows, electronic mail services and operating system temporary buffers. The method of acquiring and marking data in a selected window is disclosed.