diff --git a/src/pattern.rs b/src/pattern.rs
index 71f0700..fb17d6a 100644
--- a/src/pattern.rs
+++ b/src/pattern.rs
@@ -64,6 +64,10 @@ impl MultiPattern {
         self.cols[column].0.reparse(new_text, case_matching);
     }
 
+    pub fn column_pattern(&self, column: usize) -> &Pattern {
+        &self.cols[column].0
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn status(&self) -> Status {
         self.cols
             .iter()