Document Editing Problems

How to Extract the Left Column from a Word Document Using VBA

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to isolate and extract the left column (English) from a bilingual Word document that was converted from a PDF, using Word VBA.

How to Extract the Left Column from a Word Document Using VBA

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a Word document containing two side-by-side columns of different languages generated from a PDF conversion, and needing to separate the content.
Observed behavior: Word structures newspaper-style columns as continuous text, preventing the user from simply selecting and copying one column independently from the other.

Before you start

Enable the Developer tab in your word processor to access the VBA editor, and ensure you have a basic understanding of how to run macros.

Solution 1Recommended

Use VBA and Chr(14) to Select the Column

Use this method to programmatically select text up to the column break if the converted document relies on standard newspaper-style column formatting.

In Word, newspaper-style columns are treated as a single continuous text flow. To isolate a column, you must select the text precisely up to the column break, which is represented by the ASCII character code Chr(14).

Position the cursor

Place your text cursor at the very beginning of the left column that you want to extract.

Open the VBA Editor

Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA Editor, then press Ctrl + G to open the Immediate Window.

Run the selection command

Type 'Selection.Extend Chr(14)' into the Immediate Window and press Enter. This extends your highlight exactly to the end of the left column.

Copy the content

Return to your document, press Ctrl + C to copy the highlighted left column, and paste it into a new file.

Use VBA and Chr(14) to Select the Column

Identifying Control Codes: Chr(14) corresponds to a column break. Other common codes include Chr(12) for a page break and Chr(13) for a paragraph break.

Solution 2

Convert the Layout to a Two-Column Table

Converting continuous columns into a table structure makes managing and extracting side-by-side translations much easier.

Efficient Document Editing

Use WPS Office to Better Manage PDF Conversions

WPS Office features an advanced PDF to Word conversion engine that smartly recognizes complex bilingual layouts. Instead of continuous columns, it often structures side-by-side text as highly manageable tables, saving you from writing VBA scripts.

1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the original bilingual PDF document.
2. Convert to Word: Click on the 'Tools' tab and select 'PDF to Word' to begin the conversion process.
3. Select the column: Open the newly converted Word document. If structured as a table, hover over the top of the left column and click the downward arrow to select it entirely.
4. Extract the text: Press Ctrl + C to copy the English column and paste it into a new blank document.

Advanced PDF to Word conversion retains original layoutsFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Intuitive table and column selection toolsLightweight software with a familiar interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I select just the left column by dragging my mouse?

Word processors format standard columns as a continuous snake-like flow. When you drag your mouse down the left column and exceed the bottom margin, the cursor automatically continues into the top of the right column.

What is Chr(14) in Word VBA?

Chr(14) is the ASCII control code used in Word VBA to represent a column break. Using this code in macros allows you to pinpoint exactly where one column ends and the next begins.

Is it better to use columns or tables for bilingual text?

It is highly recommended to use a two-column table for side-by-side bilingual text. Tables keep translations aligned paragraph by paragraph and allow you to select, format, or extract one language entirely independently of the other.

Document & File Issues