The off-line working CCT formatter for the airborne scanner was successfully developed according to the characteristics of the airbone scanner and the requirements of the remote sensing users. Its principal functions are:（1） To transform the multispectral remote sensing information to computer compatible tape （CCT） from analogue high density tape.（2） To read out CCT data for quickly displaying or hardcopy of the image.（3） Rapidly to check up and locate given target in the subarea.This paper describes the design features of the CCT formatter hardware and software in detail. The CCT data format and some results of application are shown. The CCT formatter is not only one of the main fittings of the scanner

but also suitable for those digital image processing systems which deals with processing a large number of CCT data.