Hold down option (alt) key when selecting text to select columns or a rectangular region in Microsoft Word and TextEdit

Here's a handy tip for cleaning up data that is in columns in Word or TextEdit. If you hold down the option key, you can select columns of text—or any rectangular region. I do recommend you make sure the text is in a monospaced font (I prefer Consolas, but Andale, Monaco, or Courier also work) to ensure columns line up.