A method is disclosed for laying out a plurality of containers on a page to generate a document upon insertion of content in the containers. The containers each have edges whose position upon layout is independent of the dimensions of the content inserted in each container. An association is created between an edge of a first container and an edge of a second container that is parallel and opposed to the first edge which constrains the second edge to a relation to the first edge. The page may then be laid out using the containers such that the edge of the first container moves dependent on the dimensions of content inserted in the first and second containers.