Text file in a container field

I have put word files into a container field. Any change has to be exported out, changes made, then imported back in. Is there a better way to have a word file stored in filemaker that you can open in word, make changes and have it remain in the record that it is stored?

No.

The only other option is to store the file as a reference, so it is not actually in the record but pointing to a file on a shared drive.

Though I have never used it, I'd say SuperContainer would be good.

Storing them as a reference works great on one machine. We have a small network and several computers have to use the file. If you are using one of the remote computers it can not find the file unless you have stored it from that comp. You can log into the other computer and find it. Then if you make any changes you have to save it with a different name then reinsert the file reference. Isn't the super container for web based? Ours is simply a local network in my office.