a computer - implemented system and method that allows design - time control components to be hosted in applications whose extensibility interfaces do not natively support design - time controls . the system and method host and encapsulate a design - time control while simultaneously conforming to the unique extensibility interface of the software application . the user is allowed to interact directly with the design - time control . the property settings of the control are saved along with some generated content into the digital document by the application &# 39 ; s extensibility interface . the method and system allow for repeated editing of the document by recreating a control whose property values match the property values of the control that was previously created in the document .