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I'm trying to do a simple find and replace BUT I need to restrict
it to a specific column.

e.g replace all 7's with 6's in column 252.

I couldn't figure it out so I did it via a macro instead.

Still very curious how it should be done.

Perl would do it via something like : $temp =~ s/(.{251})7(.*)/$1 6 $2/;

Is it along those lines ?
Appreciate any suggestions
thanks

Use block cursor, select column 252 from top to bottom of document, find /replace in selected text.

If using a macro then ull have to keep changing the macro column if column requirements change?? lets say if you want to change now in column 10.

Hello larnapairce....................

Need to replace all 7s in column 252 with 6s?

Try this:

Search for: \(^.\{251\}\)7
Replace with: \16

================================
Explanation of RegEx Search Section:
\( = beginning of first grouping to isolate
^ = start at beginning of line
. = any character, space, etc.
\{251\} = exact number of previous character (.)
\) = end of first grouping
7 = digit seven

=============================
Explanation of RegEx Replace Section:
\1 = first group in Search Section
6 = digit 6

Common English:
Starting at the beginning of the line, look for a group of any 251 characters followed immediately with a 7. Replace that group with the same information followed by a 6.

OR

Replace any 7 in column 252 with a 6.

=============================
Hope this helps...........good luck,

Bob

Appreciate the replies from webmasta & Bob Hanson.

Great little solutions. Cheers.