1. A method for detecting conflicting edits to a document stored in a data system, the method comprising the acts of: providing multiple copies of a single version of a document stored in the data system, the document having fields containing content; receiving an edit to the content of a field from the document made in a first copy of the document, the edit made in the first copy expressed as a first intent; merging the edit made in the first copy with the corresponding field in the document; after receiving the first edit, receiving an edit made in a second copy of the document to the content of the same field modified by the prior edit, the edit made in the second copy expressed as a second intent; and if the second intent does not conflict with the first intent, merging the edited content in the second copy with the document.