Each part must be integrated seamlessly into what appears to be a single consistent document. Even more difficult is the often necessary requirement to go back to the original system that created the data, such as a spreadsheet, to edit the data. Electronically created compound documents resemble information quilts patched together from a variety of information sources. You may use information created for one purpose in one particular system in several systems. You may also use the information for a different purpose than was intended.
Documents created with such information can quickly become impossible to maintain and update.
The original data sources become an integral part of the creation process, and great care must be exercised to maintain those data sources for future versions of the document. You may reuse document content. If proper care is taken of all the various data sources, you can reuse the information. Reusing the content allows an organization to profit from the publication of the content again and again. Before we get into some more detail, let's take a look at the forest before starting a hike through the trees.