Abstract: A computer method and apparatus enable object-linking-and-embedding controls to directly communicate with each other and share resources. The computer method and apparatus thereby relieve the container application containing the controls, from accessing controls and managing communications from one control to another. The invention method and apparatus employ a file in global shared memory. The memory mapped file holds pointers for controls to directly access other controls. Using the memory mapped file, a control object is able to directly call methods and access properties of desired other control objects. The memory mapped file also holds a window handle for each control, enabling another control to directly access a working screen view supported by the respective control.