Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems, and computer-readable media for editing an object displayed by a computer system. Editing comprises detecting an edit operation for an object displayed on a video display of a computer system. An edit operation request is then sent to an abstraction layer via an interface provided by the abstraction layer to initiate editing of the object by the abstraction layer. The abstraction layer receives the edit operation request and determines the type of container in which the object is displayed based on properties related to the object to be edited. The abstraction layer reads a set of properties related to the object and the container in which the object is displayed. The abstraction layer may then edit the object based the properties of the container and object by modifying one or more of the properties of the container and object.