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# rect(ofColumn:)

Returns the rectangle containing the column at the specified index.

```
func rect(ofColumn column: Int) -> NSRect
```

## Parameters

`column`

The index in the [`tableColumns`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/tableColumns) array of a column in the table view.

## Return Value

The rectangle containing the column at `columnIndex`. Returns `NSZeroRect` if `columnIndex` lies outside the range of valid column indexes for the table view.

## Discussion

You can use this method to update a single column more efficiently than sending the table view a [`reloadData()`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/reloadData()) message.

```objc
[aTableView setNeedsDisplayInRect:[aTableView rectOfColumn:column]];
```

## See Also

[`-  headerRectOfColumn:`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableHeaderView/headerRect(ofColumn:))

Returns the rectangle containing the header tile for the column at `columnIndex`.



---

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