A multi-user document editing system and method. Embodiments of the invention utilize a model-view-controller design pattern to successfully control changes in parallel to underlying backend database information presentation related information. Granularity of protection and check in/check out on family, spread, presentation layer and presentation object. In addition, enables automatic update of changes to all users editing or viewing the information. Changes to the backend database may also include changes to the family hierarchy with real-time update of publication WYSIWYG pages for example. Enables rollback of changes. Instead of waiting constantly for other users to finish editing information before other edits can be made, the typical serial editing methodology is transformed by embodiments of the invention into a parallel methodology that greatly increases throughput and lowers the costs associated with large publications.