Systems and methods are provided for building a complex document. A system can include a memory for storing computer executable instructions and a processing unit for accessing the memory and executing the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions can include a graphical user interface engine to display a complex document and to display a feedforward indicator associated with an element in the complex document in response to a first user operation. The feedforward indicator provides a user with an indication of affects to the complex document associated with a second user operation.