How to delete columns in TextEdit?

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Level 2

372 points

How to delete columns in TextEdit?

Well, for a "power" user, veteran word processor, table star, help reader, Google user, and board browser, I've been unable to figure this out!

I also couldn't figure out where to post this (no TextEdit forum!).

So, what happened was that I copied and pasted several rows and coiumns from a spreadsheet and want to delete couple of the columns. I figured out that one can highlight columns using the option key, but then delete removes the text not the column!

It's probably something obvious, but I haven't found it!

iBook G4 1.33 GHz, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Aug 15, 2007 5:04 AM

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Answer 1

SteveLamb0

Level 5

4,110 points

Sep 4, 2007 2:34 PM in response to AstroMacMan

Hi

Does this help, quoting TextEdit Help:

Adding a table to your document
You can create tables in TextEdit documents to organize information.
Place the cursor where you want to add the table.
Choose Format > Text > Table.
In the Table window, type the number of rows and columns you want (or use the arrow buttons to add or subtract rows and columns).
To adjust the height or width of a row or column, place the pointer over the border of a cell. When the pointer changes to a double arrow, drag the border to change the dimensions of the row or column.

Steve

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Answer 2

AstroMacMan Author

Level 2

372 points

Sep 6, 2007 8:42 AM in response to SteveLamb0

Steve, thanks! I had seen that, but it only reduces the number of columns, say from the right to the left... you can't selective delete a column in the middle.

The problem is that on importing or pasting columned data there are often blank columns that need deleting...

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Answer 3

AstroMacMan Author

Level 2

372 points

Nov 24, 2007 3:19 AM in response to SteveLamb0

Steve, it didn't work for me! It deletes the character before the insertion point. Column stays the same!

How does one select just one column? I tried various tricks-- holding down option, shift, command--and nothing worked. With option I get the "column" of text selection tool (shades of Word or Reader), but it only selects the text in the column not the column itself!

I'm interested in deleting the entire column not what's in it, leaving a blank column.

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Answer 4

AstroMacMan Author

Level 2

372 points

Sep 3, 2007 5:24 AM in response to AstroMacMan

BUMP!

Anyone?

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Answer 5

SteveLamb0

Level 5

4,110 points

Dec 1, 2007 1:42 PM in response to AstroMacMan

Oh. very sorry I couldn't solve your problem 😟 Thanks for the star.

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Answer 6

SteveLamb0

Level 5

4,110 points

Sep 6, 2007 10:16 AM in response to AstroMacMan

Hmm.

I opened TextEdit, and created 2 row by 4 column table (no info in it). I clicked in the second column & hit Delete key (one below help button), this deleted column. Don't know if you have already tried this.

Steve

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