System and method are provided for storing data using programmable rules on containers for collections of data items presented through the operating environment. This invention gives a container (folders or enhanced containers) the ability to be more than a straight-forward receptacle to contain a collection of data objects and other sub-containers. The invention provides for when data is added to a container system, collecting information from the data item and any pre-existing metadata, matching the information to a container using the container's rules, and if any matching containers are found, filing of the data item proceeds into any candidate locations.