1. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus comprising the steps of: displaying an operation status message area on a first part of a touch panel display; displaying a document counting area configured to show a number of sheets set and a number of documents produced on a second part of the touch panel display; displaying an input document handling area on a third part of the touch panel display; allowing selection of at least one kind of input document for image forming from the input document handling area; displaying an output document handling area on a fourth part of the touch panel display, the fourth part of the touch panel display disposed directly below the second part of the touch panel display; and allowing selection of at least one of a sort mode, a stack mode, a staple mode, and a punch mode from the output document handling area.