Abstract: A computer program product and document management system for managing nested references. The document management system scans each document within the document management system to ascertain if the document includes a nested reference. If a second document is a nested reference of a first document, the document management system creates an indicia of reference indicating the second document is referenced within the first document within a data structure, such as a database. As documents are checked-out, edited, and checked-in to the document management system, the system will update the data structure with any changes such as file name, revision number, and the document management system may also update a pointer to the memory location within the document management system associated with the updated nested reference. Additionally, the document management system can update any links or embedded information in a master document related to the nested reference if the nested reference has been edited.