An apparatus for reading out a manuscript image and a data format are specified through a network, the specified data format which has been read out by the apparatus is received, and the data is subjected to the necessary processing in accordance with the data format to be outputted. When inputting and receiving an image through an image input device which can be connected through a network, the image can be received in accordance with the data format for which the subsequent editing processing can be execute while reducing the load with which the network is burdened.