A container document can include a file node indicating a file and pointing to a location for the file that is separate from the container document on a server. An embedded relationship between the file and the container document can be imitated. The imitation can include responding to user input by performing the update on the file node, and by requesting that the server perform an update on the file that reflects the update performed on the file node. A request for an update to be performed on the file node can be received from a client at the server. In response to the request, the update can be performed on the file node at the server. A corresponding update, which reflects the update performed on the file node, can also be performed on the file at the server.