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# clickedColumn

The index of the column the user clicked.

```
var clickedColumn: Int { get }
```

## Discussion

This property contains the index in the [`tableColumns`](/documentation/AppKit/NSTableView/tableColumns) array of the column that the user clicked. The value is `-1` when the user clicks in an area of the table view that is not occupied by columns or when the user clicks a row that is a group separator.

The value of this property is meaningful in the target object’s implementation of the action and double-action methods. You can also use the value to determine which contextual menu to display when the user Control-clicks in a table. Note that the `clickedColumn` value remains valid when the menu item sends the action message. To see an example of using `clickedColumn` in the implementation of a contextual menu, download the [DragNDropOutlineView: implementing drag and drop in an NSOutlineView](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/samplecode/DragNDropOutlineView/Introduction/Intro.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/DTS40008831) sample project.

## See Also

[`action`](/documentation/AppKit/NSControl/action)

The default action-message selector associated with the control.


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