using patched tiagomeol/go-clipboard/clipboard, fixes #37

.github/workflows/ci.yaml

@@ -5,7 +5,9 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       matrix:
         version: ['1.22']
-        os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest, windows-latest]
+        # windows-latest removed, see:
+        # https://github.com/rogpeppe/go-internal/issues/284
+        os: [ubuntu-latest, macos-latest]
     name: Build
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     steps:

.github/workflows/release.yaml

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-name: build-release
+name: build-and-test
 on:
   push:
     tags:
-      - "v*.*.*"
+      - "*"
 
 jobs:
   release:
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v2
 
       - name: Set up Go
-        uses: actions/setup-go@v5
+        uses: actions/setup-go@v1
         with:
           go-version: 1.22.11
 
@@ -30,58 +30,3 @@ jobs:
           tag: ${{ github.ref_name }}
           file: ./releases/*
           file_glob: true
-
-      - name: Build Changelog
-        id: github_release
-        uses: mikepenz/release-changelog-builder-action@v5
-        env:
-          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-        with:
-          mode: "PR"
-          configurationJson: |
-            {
-              "template": "#{{CHANGELOG}}\n\n**Full Changelog**: #{{RELEASE_DIFF}}",
-              "pr_template": "- #{{TITLE}} (##{{NUMBER}}) by #{{AUTHOR}}\n#{{BODY}}",
-              "empty_template": "- no changes",
-              "categories": [
-                {
-                    "title": "## New Features",
-                    "labels": ["add", "feature"]
-                },
-                {
-                    "title": "## Bug Fixes",
-                    "labels": ["fix", "bug", "revert"]
-                },
-                {
-                    "title": "## Documentation Enhancements",
-                    "labels": ["doc"]
-                },
-                {
-                    "title": "## Refactoring Efforts",
-                    "labels": ["refactor"]
-                },
-                {
-                    "title": "## Miscellaneus Changes",
-                    "labels": []
-                }
-              ],
-              "ignore_labels": [
-                 "duplicate", "good first issue", "help wanted", "invalid", "question", "wontfix"
-              ],
-              "label_extractor": [
-                 {
-                    "pattern": "(.) (.+)",
-                    "target": "$1"
-                 },
-                 {
-                    "pattern": "(.) (.+)",
-                    "target": "$1",
-                    "on_property": "title"
-                 }
-              ]
-            }
-    
-      - name: Create Release
-        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
-        with:
-          body: ${{steps.github_release.outputs.changelog}}

Makefile

@@ -64,12 +64,12 @@ install: buildlocal
 clean:
 	rm -rf $(tool) releases coverage.out
 
-test: clean
+test:
 	go test ./... $(OPTS)
 
 singletest:
 	@echo "Call like this: 'make singletest TEST=TestPrepareColumns MOD=lib'"
-	go test -run $(TEST) github.com/tlinden/tablizer/$(MOD)
+	go test -run $(TEST) github.com/tlinden/tablizer/$(MOD) $(OPTS)
 
 cover-report:
 	go test ./... -cover -coverprofile=coverage.out

README.md

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Operational Flags:
   -s, --separator string            Custom field separator
   -k, --sort-by int                 Sort by column (default: 1)
   -z, --fuzzy                       Use fuzzy search [experimental]
-  -F, --filter field[!]=reg         Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
+  -F, --filter field=reg            Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
   -T, --transpose-columns string    Transpose the speficied columns (separated by ,)
   -R, --regex-transposer /from/to/  Apply /search/replace/ regexp to fields given in -T
 
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ Output Flags (mutually exclusive):
   -C, --csv                         Enable CSV output
   -A, --ascii                       Default output mode, ascii tabular
   -L, --hightlight-lines            Use alternating background colors for tables
+  -y, --yank-columns                Yank specified columns (separated by ,) to clipboard,
+                                    space separated
 
 Sort Mode Flags (mutually exclusive):
   -a, --sort-age                    sort according to age (duration) string

cfg/config.go

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
-Copyright © 2022-2025 Thomas von Dein
+Copyright © 2022-2024 Thomas von Dein
 
 This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 const DefaultSeparator string = `(\s\s+|\t)`
-const Version string = "v1.3.2"
+const Version string = "v1.3.1"
 const MAXPARTS = 2
 
 var DefaultConfigfile = os.Getenv("HOME") + "/.config/tablizer/config"
@@ -52,17 +52,6 @@ type Transposer struct {
 	Replace string
 }
 
-type Pattern struct {
-	Pattern   string
-	PatternRe *regexp.Regexp
-	Negate    bool
-}
-
-type Filter struct {
-	Regex  *regexp.Regexp
-	Negate bool
-}
-
 // internal config
 type Config struct {
 	Debug          bool
@@ -70,10 +59,13 @@ type Config struct {
 	NoHeaders      bool
 	Columns        string
 	UseColumns     []int
+	YankColumns    string
+	UseYankColumns []int
 	Separator      string
 	OutputMode     int
 	InvertMatch    bool
-	Patterns       []*Pattern
+	Pattern        string
+	PatternR       *regexp.Regexp
 	UseFuzzySearch bool
 	UseHighlight   bool
 
@@ -105,7 +97,7 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	// used for field filtering
 	Rawfilters []string
-	Filters    map[string]Filter //map[string]*regexp.Regexp
+	Filters    map[string]*regexp.Regexp
 
 	// -r <file>
 	InputFile string
@@ -275,20 +267,12 @@ func (conf *Config) PrepareModeFlags(flag Modeflag) {
 }
 
 func (conf *Config) PrepareFilters() error {
-	conf.Filters = make(map[string]Filter, len(conf.Rawfilters))
+	conf.Filters = make(map[string]*regexp.Regexp, len(conf.Rawfilters))
 
-	for _, rawfilter := range conf.Rawfilters {
-		filter := Filter{}
-
-		parts := strings.Split(rawfilter, "!=")
+	for _, filter := range conf.Rawfilters {
+		parts := strings.Split(filter, "=")
 		if len(parts) != MAXPARTS {
-			parts = strings.Split(rawfilter, "=")
-
-			if len(parts) != MAXPARTS {
-				return errors.New("filter field and value must be separated by '=' or '!='")
-			}
-		} else {
-			filter.Negate = true
+			return errors.New("filter field and value must be separated by =")
 		}
 
 		reg, err := regexp.Compile(parts[1])
@@ -297,8 +281,7 @@ func (conf *Config) PrepareFilters() error {
 				parts[0], err)
 		}
 
-		filter.Regex = reg
-		conf.Filters[strings.ToLower(parts[0])] = filter
+		conf.Filters[strings.ToLower(strings.ToLower(parts[0]))] = reg
 	}
 
 	return nil
@@ -352,37 +335,15 @@ func (conf *Config) ApplyDefaults() {
 	}
 }
 
-func (conf *Config) PreparePattern(patterns []*Pattern) error {
-	// regex checks if a pattern looks like /$pattern/[i!]
-	flagre := regexp.MustCompile(`^/(.*)/([i!]*)$`)
+func (conf *Config) PreparePattern(pattern string) error {
+	PatternR, err := regexp.Compile(pattern)
 
-	for _, pattern := range patterns {
-		matches := flagre.FindAllStringSubmatch(pattern.Pattern, -1)
-
-		// we have a regex with flags
-		for _, match := range matches {
-			pattern.Pattern = match[1] // the inner part is our actual pattern
-			flags := match[2]          // the flags
-
-			for _, flag := range flags {
-				switch flag {
-				case 'i':
-					pattern.Pattern = `(?i)` + pattern.Pattern
-				case '!':
-					pattern.Negate = true
-				}
-			}
-		}
-
-		PatternRe, err := regexp.Compile(pattern.Pattern)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("regexp pattern %s is invalid: %w", pattern.Pattern, err)
-		}
-
-		pattern.PatternRe = PatternRe
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("regexp pattern %s is invalid: %w", conf.Pattern, err)
 	}
 
-	conf.Patterns = patterns
+	conf.PatternR = PatternR
+	conf.Pattern = pattern
 
 	return nil
 }

cfg/config_test.go

@@ -79,55 +79,20 @@ func TestPrepareSortFlags(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestPreparePattern(t *testing.T) {
 	var tests = []struct {
-		patterns  []*Pattern
-		name      string
-		wanterr   bool
-		wanticase bool
-		wantneg   bool
+		pattern string
+		wanterr bool
 	}{
-		{
-			[]*Pattern{{Pattern: "[A-Z]+"}},
-			"simple",
-			false,
-			false,
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			[]*Pattern{{Pattern: "[a-z"}},
-			"regfail",
-			true,
-			false,
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			[]*Pattern{{Pattern: "/[A-Z]+/i"}},
-			"icase",
-			false,
-			true,
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			[]*Pattern{{Pattern: "/[A-Z]+/!"}},
-			"negate",
-			false,
-			false,
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			[]*Pattern{{Pattern: "/[A-Z]+/!i"}},
-			"negicase",
-			false,
-			true,
-			true,
-		},
+		{"[A-Z]+", false},
+		{"[a-z", true},
 	}
 
 	for _, testdata := range tests {
-		testname := fmt.Sprintf("PreparePattern-pattern-%s-wanterr-%t", testdata.name, testdata.wanterr)
+		testname := fmt.Sprintf("PreparePattern-pattern-%s-wanterr-%t",
+			testdata.pattern, testdata.wanterr)
 		t.Run(testname, func(t *testing.T) {
 			conf := Config{}
 
-			err := conf.PreparePattern(testdata.patterns)
+			err := conf.PreparePattern(testdata.pattern)
 
 			if err != nil {
 				if !testdata.wanterr {

cmd/root.go

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
-Copyright © 2022-2025 Thomas von Dein
+Copyright © 2022-2024 Thomas von Dein
 
 This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ func Execute() {
 		"Custom field separator")
 	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&conf.Columns, "columns", "c", "",
 		"Only show the speficied columns (separated by ,)")
+	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&conf.YankColumns, "yank-columns", "y", "",
+		"Yank the speficied columns (separated by ,) to the clipboard")
 	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringVarP(&conf.TransposeColumns, "transpose-columns", "T", "",
 		"Transpose the speficied columns (separated by ,)")
 
@@ -190,7 +192,7 @@ func Execute() {
 
 	// filters
 	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringArrayVarP(&conf.Rawfilters,
-		"filter", "F", nil, "Filter by field (field=regexp || field!=regexp)")
+		"filter", "F", nil, "Filter by field (field=regexp)")
 	rootCmd.PersistentFlags().StringArrayVarP(&conf.Transposers,
 		"regex-transposer", "R", nil, "apply /search/replace/ regexp to fields given in -T")
 

cmd/tablizer.go

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ NAME
 
 SYNOPSIS
         Usage:
-          tablizer [regex,...] [file, ...] [flags]
+          tablizer [regex] [file, ...] [flags]
     
         Operational Flags:
           -c, --columns string              Only show the speficied columns (separated by ,)
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ SYNOPSIS
           -s, --separator string            Custom field separator
           -k, --sort-by int|name            Sort by column (default: 1)
           -z, --fuzzy                       Use fuzzy search [experimental]
-          -F, --filter field[!]=reg         Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
+          -F, --filter field=reg            Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
           -T, --transpose-columns string    Transpose the speficied columns (separated by ,)
           -R, --regex-transposer /from/to/  Apply /search/replace/ regexp to fields given in -T
 
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ SYNOPSIS
           -C, --csv                         Enable CSV output
           -A, --ascii                       Default output mode, ascii tabular
           -L, --hightlight-lines            Use alternating background colors for tables
+          -y, --yank-columns                Yank specified columns (separated by ,) to clipboard,
+                                            space separated
 
         Sort Mode Flags (mutually exclusive):
           -a, --sort-age                    sort according to age (duration) string
@@ -130,43 +132,30 @@ DESCRIPTION
     for the developer.
 
   PATTERNS AND FILTERING
-    You can reduce the rows being displayed by using one or more regular
-    expression patterns. The regexp language being used is the one of
-    GOLANG, refer to the syntax cheat sheet here:
-    <https://pkg.go.dev/regexp/syntax>.
-
-    If you want to read a more comprehensive documentation about the topic
-    and have perl installed you can read it with:
+    You can reduce the rows being displayed by using a regular expression
+    pattern. The regexp is PCRE compatible, refer to the syntax cheat sheet
+    here: <https://github.com/google/re2/wiki/Syntax>. If you want to read a
+    more comprehensive documentation about the topic and have perl installed
+    you can read it with:
 
         perldoc perlre
 
-    Or read it online: <https://perldoc.perl.org/perlre>. But please note
-    that the GO regexp engine does NOT support all perl regex terms,
-    especially look-ahead and look-behind.
+    Or read it online: <https://perldoc.perl.org/perlre>.
 
-    If you want to supply flags to a regex, then surround it with slashes
-    and append the flag. The following flags are supported:
+    A note on modifiers: the regexp engine used in tablizer uses another
+    modifier syntax:
 
-        i => case insensitive
-        ! => negative match
+        (?MODIFIER)
+
+    The most important modifiers are:
+
+    "i" ignore case "m" multiline mode "s" single line mode
 
     Example for a case insensitive search:
 
-        kubectl get pods -A | tablizer "/account/i"
+        kubectl get pods -A | tablizer "(?i)account"
 
-    If you use the "!" flag, then the regex match will be negated, that is,
-    if a line in the input matches the given regex, but "!" is supplied,
-    tablizer will NOT include it in the output.
-
-    For example, here we want to get all lines matching "foo" but not "bar":
-
-        cat table | tablizer foo '/bar/!'
-
-    This would match a line "foo zorro" but not "foo bar".
-
-    The flags can also be combined.
-
-    You can also use the experimental fuzzy search feature by providing the
+    You can use the experimental fuzzy search feature by providing the
     option -z, in which case the pattern is regarded as a fuzzy search term,
     not a regexp.
 
@@ -181,10 +170,6 @@ DESCRIPTION
     If you specify more than one filter, both filters have to match (AND
     operation).
 
-    These field filters can also be negated:
-
-        fieldname!=regexp
-
     If the option -v is specified, the filtering is inverted.
 
   COLUMNS
@@ -284,6 +269,18 @@ DESCRIPTION
     markdown which prints a Markdown table, yaml, which prints yaml encoding
     and CSV mode, which prints a comma separated value file.
 
+  PUT FIELDS TO CLIPBOARD
+    You can let tablizer put fields to the clipboard using the option "-y".
+    This best fits the use-case when the result of your filtering yields
+    just one row. For example:
+
+        cloudctl cluster ls | tablizer -yid matchbox
+
+    If "matchbox" matches one cluster, you can immediately use the id of
+    that cluster somewhere else and paste it. Of course, if there are
+    multiple matches, then all id's will be put into the clipboard separated
+    by one space.
+
   ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
     tablizer supports certain environment variables which use can use to
     influence program behavior. Commandline flags have always precedence
@@ -409,7 +406,7 @@ AUTHORS
 var usage = `
 
 Usage:
-  tablizer [regex,...] [file, ...] [flags]
+  tablizer [regex] [file, ...] [flags]
 
 Operational Flags:
   -c, --columns string              Only show the speficied columns (separated by ,)
@@ -420,7 +417,7 @@ Operational Flags:
   -s, --separator string            Custom field separator
   -k, --sort-by int|name            Sort by column (default: 1)
   -z, --fuzzy                       Use fuzzy search [experimental]
-  -F, --filter field[!]=reg         Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
+  -F, --filter field=reg            Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
   -T, --transpose-columns string    Transpose the speficied columns (separated by ,)
   -R, --regex-transposer /from/to/  Apply /search/replace/ regexp to fields given in -T
 
@@ -433,6 +430,8 @@ Output Flags (mutually exclusive):
   -C, --csv                         Enable CSV output
   -A, --ascii                       Default output mode, ascii tabular
   -L, --hightlight-lines            Use alternating background colors for tables
+  -y, --yank-columns                Yank specified columns (separated by ,) to clipboard,
+                                    space separated
 
 Sort Mode Flags (mutually exclusive):
   -a, --sort-age                    sort according to age (duration) string

go.mod

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ go 1.22
 require (
 	github.com/alecthomas/repr v0.4.0
 	github.com/araddon/dateparse v0.0.0-20210429162001-6b43995a97de
+	github.com/atotto/clipboard v0.1.4
 	github.com/gookit/color v1.5.4
 	github.com/hashicorp/hcl/v2 v2.23.0
 	github.com/lithammer/fuzzysearch v1.1.8
@@ -22,8 +23,10 @@ require (
 	github.com/inconshreveable/mousetrap v1.1.0 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-runewidth v0.0.16 // indirect
 	github.com/mitchellh/go-wordwrap v0.0.0-20150314170334-ad45545899c7 // indirect
+	github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1 // indirect
 	github.com/rivo/uniseg v0.2.0 // indirect
 	github.com/spf13/pflag v1.0.5 // indirect
+	github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard v0.1.2-0.20250126153310-fcc1f95408cf // indirect
 	github.com/xo/terminfo v0.0.0-20220910002029-abceb7e1c41e // indirect
 	github.com/zclconf/go-cty v1.13.3 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/mod v0.18.0 // indirect

go.sum

@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ github.com/apparentlymart/go-textseg/v15 v15.0.0 h1:uYvfpb3DyLSCGWnctWKGj857c6ew
 github.com/apparentlymart/go-textseg/v15 v15.0.0/go.mod h1:K8XmNZdhEBkdlyDdvbmmsvpAG721bKi0joRfFdHIWJ4=
 github.com/araddon/dateparse v0.0.0-20210429162001-6b43995a97de h1:FxWPpzIjnTlhPwqqXc4/vE0f7GvRjuAsbW+HOIe8KnA=
 github.com/araddon/dateparse v0.0.0-20210429162001-6b43995a97de/go.mod h1:DCaWoUhZrYW9p1lxo/cm8EmUOOzAPSEZNGF2DK1dJgw=
+github.com/atotto/clipboard v0.1.4 h1:EH0zSVneZPSuFR11BlR9YppQTVDbh5+16AmcJi4g1z4=
+github.com/atotto/clipboard v0.1.4/go.mod h1:ZY9tmq7sm5xIbd9bOK4onWV4S6X0u6GY7Vn0Yu86PYI=
 github.com/cpuguy83/go-md2man/v2 v2.0.4/go.mod h1:tgQtvFlXSQOSOSIRvRPT7W67SCa46tRHOmNcaadrF8o=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.0/go.mod h1:J7Y8YcW2NihsgmVo/mv3lAwl/skON4iLHjSsI+c5H38=
 github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1 h1:vj9j/u1bqnvCEfJOwUhtlOARqs3+rkHYY13jYWTU97c=
@@ -32,6 +34,8 @@ github.com/mitchellh/go-wordwrap v0.0.0-20150314170334-ad45545899c7 h1:DpOJ2HYzC
 github.com/mitchellh/go-wordwrap v0.0.0-20150314170334-ad45545899c7/go.mod h1:ZXFpozHsX6DPmq2I0TCekCxypsnAUbP2oI0UX1GXzOo=
 github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter v0.0.5 h1:P2Ga83D34wi1o9J6Wh1mRuqd4mF/x/lgBS7N7AbDhec=
 github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter v0.0.5/go.mod h1:hPp6KlRPjbx+hW8ykQs1w3UBbZlj6HuIJcUGPhkA7kY=
+github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1 h1:FEBLx1zS214owpjy7qsBeixbURkuhQAwrK5UwLGTwt4=
+github.com/pkg/errors v0.9.1/go.mod h1:bwawxfHBFNV+L2hUp1rHADufV3IMtnDRdf1r5NINEl0=
 github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0 h1:4DBwDE0NGyQoBHbLQYPwSUPoCMWR5BEzIk/f1lZbAQM=
 github.com/pmezard/go-difflib v1.0.0/go.mod h1:iKH77koFhYxTK1pcRnkKkqfTogsbg7gZNVY4sRDYZ/4=
 github.com/rivo/uniseg v0.1.0/go.mod h1:J6wj4VEh+S6ZtnVlnTBMWIodfgj8LQOQFoIToxlJtxc=
@@ -49,6 +53,10 @@ github.com/stretchr/objx v0.1.0/go.mod h1:HFkY916IF+rwdDfMAkV7OtwuqBVzrE8GR6GFx+
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.7.0/go.mod h1:6Fq8oRcR53rry900zMqJjRRixrwX3KX962/h/Wwjteg=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.8.4 h1:CcVxjf3Q8PM0mHUKJCdn+eZZtm5yQwehR5yeSVQQcUk=
 github.com/stretchr/testify v1.8.4/go.mod h1:sz/lmYIOXD/1dqDmKjjqLyZ2RngseejIcXlSw2iwfAo=
+github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard v0.1.1 h1:nddQ5DsEnKW0KdzTILhbLpSq3e9y2dkJXEOtsMs6H7A=
+github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard v0.1.1/go.mod h1:kXtjJBIMimZaGbxmcKZ8+JqK+acSNf5tAJiChlZBOr8=
+github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard v0.1.2-0.20250126153310-fcc1f95408cf h1:csb/+rmJBAtOP6OP+9soTnwJVuhlUpedjb5dPlNZasY=
+github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard v0.1.2-0.20250126153310-fcc1f95408cf/go.mod h1:kXtjJBIMimZaGbxmcKZ8+JqK+acSNf5tAJiChlZBOr8=
 github.com/xo/terminfo v0.0.0-20220910002029-abceb7e1c41e h1:JVG44RsyaB9T2KIHavMF/ppJZNG9ZpyihvCd0w101no=
 github.com/xo/terminfo v0.0.0-20220910002029-abceb7e1c41e/go.mod h1:RbqR21r5mrJuqunuUZ/Dhy/avygyECGrLceyNeo4LiM=
 github.com/yuin/goldmark v1.4.13/go.mod h1:6yULJ656Px+3vBD8DxQVa3kxgyrAnzto9xy5taEt/CY=

lib/filter.go

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
-Copyright © 2022-2025 Thomas von Dein
+Copyright © 2022-2024 Thomas von Dein
 
 This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -27,46 +27,15 @@ import (
 )
 
 /*
-* [!]Match a  line, use fuzzy  search for normal pattern  strings and
-* regexp otherwise.
-
-		'foo bar'  foo, /bar/!  => false => line contains foo and not (not bar)
-	    'foo nix'  foo, /bar/!  => ture  => line contains foo and (not bar)
-		'foo bar'  foo, /bar/   => true  => line contains both foo and bar
-		'foo nix'  foo, /bar/   => false => line does not contain bar
-		'foo bar'  foo, /nix/   => false => line does not contain nix
-*/
+ * [!]Match a  line, use fuzzy  search for normal pattern  strings and
+ * regexp otherwise.
+ */
 func matchPattern(conf cfg.Config, line string) bool {
-	if len(conf.Patterns) == 0 {
-		// any line always matches ""
-		return true
-	}
-
 	if conf.UseFuzzySearch {
-		// fuzzy search only considers the 1st pattern
-		return fuzzy.MatchFold(conf.Patterns[0].Pattern, line)
+		return fuzzy.MatchFold(conf.Pattern, line)
 	}
 
-	var match int
-
-	//fmt.Printf("<%s>\n", line)
-	for _, re := range conf.Patterns {
-		patmatch := re.PatternRe.MatchString(line)
-		if re.Negate {
-			// toggle the meaning of match
-			patmatch = !patmatch
-		}
-
-		if patmatch {
-			match++
-		}
-
-		//fmt.Printf("patmatch: %t, match: %d, pattern: %s, negate: %t\n", patmatch, match, re.Pattern, re.Negate)
-	}
-
-	// fmt.Printf("result: %t\n", match == len(conf.Patterns))
-	//fmt.Println()
-	return match == len(conf.Patterns)
+	return conf.PatternR.MatchString(line)
 }
 
 /*
@@ -86,19 +55,15 @@ func FilterByFields(conf cfg.Config, data *Tabdata) (*Tabdata, bool, error) {
 		keep := true
 
 		for idx, header := range data.headers {
-			lcheader := strings.ToLower(header)
-			if !Exists(conf.Filters, lcheader) {
+			if !Exists(conf.Filters, strings.ToLower(header)) {
 				// do not filter by unspecified field
 				continue
 			}
 
-			match := conf.Filters[lcheader].Regex.MatchString(row[idx])
-			if conf.Filters[lcheader].Negate {
-				match = !match
-			}
-
-			if !match {
+			if !conf.Filters[strings.ToLower(header)].MatchString(row[idx]) {
+				// there IS a filter, but it doesn't match
 				keep = false
+
 				break
 			}
 		}
@@ -158,11 +123,8 @@ func Exists[K comparable, V any](m map[K]V, v K) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-/*
- * Filters the whole input lines, returns filtered lines
- */
 func FilterByPattern(conf cfg.Config, input io.Reader) (io.Reader, error) {
-	if len(conf.Patterns) == 0 {
+	if conf.Pattern == "" {
 		return input, nil
 	}
 
@@ -174,7 +136,7 @@ func FilterByPattern(conf cfg.Config, input io.Reader) (io.Reader, error) {
 		line := strings.TrimSpace(scanner.Text())
 		if hadFirst {
 			// don't match 1st line, it's the header
-			if matchPattern(conf, line) == conf.InvertMatch {
+			if conf.Pattern != "" && matchPattern(conf, line) == conf.InvertMatch {
 				// by default  -v is false, so if a  line does NOT
 				// match the pattern, we will ignore it. However,
 				// if the user specified -v, the matching is inverted,

lib/filter_test.go

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
-Copyright © 2024-2025 Thomas von Dein
+Copyright © 2024 Thomas von Dein
 
 This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -27,21 +27,21 @@ import (
 
 func TestMatchPattern(t *testing.T) {
 	var input = []struct {
-		name     string
-		fuzzy    bool
-		patterns []*cfg.Pattern
-		line     string
+		name    string
+		fuzzy   bool
+		pattern string
+		line    string
 	}{
 		{
-			name:     "normal",
-			patterns: []*cfg.Pattern{{Pattern: "haus"}},
-			line:     "hausparty",
+			name:    "normal",
+			pattern: "haus",
+			line:    "hausparty",
 		},
 		{
-			name:     "fuzzy",
-			patterns: []*cfg.Pattern{{Pattern: "hpt"}},
-			line:     "haus-party-termin",
-			fuzzy:    true,
+			name:    "fuzzy",
+			pattern: "hpt",
+			line:    "haus-party-termin",
+			fuzzy:   true,
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func TestMatchPattern(t *testing.T) {
 				conf.UseFuzzySearch = true
 			}
 
-			err := conf.PreparePattern(inputdata.patterns)
+			err := conf.PreparePattern(inputdata.pattern)
 			if err != nil {
 				t.Errorf("PreparePattern returned error: %s", err)
 			}
@@ -98,20 +98,6 @@ func TestFilterByFields(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		},
 
-		{
-			name:   "one-field-negative",
-			filter: []string{"one!=asd"},
-			expect: Tabdata{
-				headers: []string{
-					"ONE", "TWO", "THREE",
-				},
-				entries: [][]string{
-					{"19191", "EDD 1", "x"},
-					{"8d8", "AN 1", "y"},
-				},
-			},
-		},
-
 		{
 			name:   "one-field-inverted",
 			filter: []string{"one=19"},

lib/helpers.go

@@ -77,6 +77,14 @@ func PrepareColumns(conf *cfg.Config, data *Tabdata) error {
 
 	conf.UseColumns = usecolumns
 
+	// -y columns
+	useyankcolumns, err := PrepareColumnVars(conf.YankColumns, data)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	conf.UseYankColumns = useyankcolumns
+
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -293,20 +301,12 @@ func colorizeData(conf cfg.Config, output string) string {
 
 		return colorized
 
-	case len(conf.Patterns) > 0 && !conf.NoColor && color.IsConsole(os.Stdout):
-		out := output
+	case len(conf.Pattern) > 0 && !conf.NoColor && color.IsConsole(os.Stdout):
+		r := regexp.MustCompile("(" + conf.Pattern + ")")
 
-		for _, re := range conf.Patterns {
-			if !re.Negate {
-				r := regexp.MustCompile("(" + re.Pattern + ")")
-
-				out = r.ReplaceAllStringFunc(out, func(in string) string {
-					return conf.ColorStyle.Sprint(in)
-				})
-			}
-		}
-
-		return out
+		return r.ReplaceAllStringFunc(output, func(in string) string {
+			return conf.ColorStyle.Sprint(in)
+		})
 
 	default:
 		return output

lib/io.go

@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@ import (
 const RWRR = 0755
 
 func ProcessFiles(conf *cfg.Config, args []string) error {
-	fd, patterns, err := determineIO(conf, args)
+	fd, pattern, err := determineIO(conf, args)
 
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if err := conf.PreparePattern(patterns); err != nil {
+	if err := conf.PreparePattern(pattern); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -63,9 +63,9 @@ func ProcessFiles(conf *cfg.Config, args []string) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func determineIO(conf *cfg.Config, args []string) (io.Reader, []*cfg.Pattern, error) {
+func determineIO(conf *cfg.Config, args []string) (io.Reader, string, error) {
 	var filehandle io.Reader
-	var patterns []*cfg.Pattern
+	var pattern string
 	var haveio bool
 
 	switch {
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func determineIO(conf *cfg.Config, args []string) (io.Reader, []*cfg.Pattern, er
 		fd, err := os.OpenFile(conf.InputFile, os.O_RDONLY, RWRR)
 
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to read input file %s: %w", conf.InputFile, err)
+			return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("failed to read input file %s: %w", conf.InputFile, err)
 		}
 
 		filehandle = fd
@@ -93,15 +93,13 @@ func determineIO(conf *cfg.Config, args []string) (io.Reader, []*cfg.Pattern, er
 	}
 
 	if len(args) > 0 {
-		patterns = make([]*cfg.Pattern, len(args))
-		for i, arg := range args {
-			patterns[i] = &cfg.Pattern{Pattern: arg}
-		}
+		pattern = args[0]
+		conf.Pattern = args[0]
 	}
 
 	if !haveio {
-		return nil, nil, errors.New("no file specified and nothing to read on stdin")
+		return nil, "", errors.New("no file specified and nothing to read on stdin")
 	}
 
-	return filehandle, patterns, nil
+	return filehandle, pattern, nil
 }

lib/parser.go

@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ func parseTabular(conf cfg.Config, input io.Reader) (Tabdata, error) {
 			}
 		} else {
 			// data processing
-			if matchPattern(conf, line) == conf.InvertMatch {
+			if conf.Pattern != "" && matchPattern(conf, line) == conf.InvertMatch {
 				// by default  -v is false, so if a  line does NOT
 				// match the pattern, we will ignore it. However,
 				// if the user specified -v, the matching is inverted,

lib/parser_test.go

@@ -83,42 +83,36 @@ func TestParser(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestParserPatternmatching(t *testing.T) {
 	var tests = []struct {
-		name     string
-		entries  [][]string
-		patterns []*cfg.Pattern
-		invert   bool
-		want     bool
+		entries [][]string
+		pattern string
+		invert  bool
+		want    bool
 	}{
 		{
-			name: "match",
 			entries: [][]string{
 				{"asd", "igig", "cxxxncnc"},
 			},
-			patterns: []*cfg.Pattern{{Pattern: "ig"}},
-			invert:   false,
+			pattern: "ig",
+			invert:  false,
 		},
 		{
-			name: "invert",
 			entries: [][]string{
 				{"19191", "EDD 1", "X"},
 			},
-			patterns: []*cfg.Pattern{{Pattern: "ig"}},
-			invert:   true,
+			pattern: "ig",
+			invert:  true,
 		},
 	}
 
 	for _, inputdata := range input {
 		for _, testdata := range tests {
 			testname := fmt.Sprintf("parse-%s-with-pattern-%s-inverted-%t",
-				inputdata.name, testdata.name, testdata.invert)
+				inputdata.name, testdata.pattern, testdata.invert)
 			t.Run(testname, func(t *testing.T) {
-				conf := cfg.Config{
-					InvertMatch: testdata.invert,
-					Patterns:    testdata.patterns,
-					Separator:   inputdata.separator,
-				}
+				conf := cfg.Config{InvertMatch: testdata.invert, Pattern: testdata.pattern,
+					Separator: inputdata.separator}
 
-				_ = conf.PreparePattern(testdata.patterns)
+				_ = conf.PreparePattern(testdata.pattern)
 
 				readFd := strings.NewReader(strings.TrimSpace(inputdata.text))
 				gotdata, err := Parse(conf, readFd)
@@ -131,7 +125,7 @@ func TestParserPatternmatching(t *testing.T) {
 				} else {
 					if !reflect.DeepEqual(testdata.entries, gotdata.entries) {
 						t.Errorf("Parser returned invalid data (pattern: %s, invert: %t)\nExp: %+v\nGot: %+v\n",
-							testdata.name, testdata.invert, testdata.entries, gotdata.entries)
+							testdata.pattern, testdata.invert, testdata.entries, gotdata.entries)
 					}
 				}
 			})

lib/printer.go

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
-Copyright © 2022 Thomas von Dein
+Copyright © 2022-2025 Thomas von Dein
 
 This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
 it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ func printData(writer io.Writer, conf cfg.Config, data *Tabdata) {
 	// by, independently if it's being used for display or not.
 	sortTable(conf, data)
 
+	// put one or more columns into clipboard
+	yankColumns(conf, data)
+
 	// add numbers to headers and remove those we're not interested in
 	numberizeAndReduceHeaders(conf, data)
 

lib/yank.go

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2022-2025 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package lib
+
+import (
+	"log"
+	"strings"
+
+	"github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard/clipboard"
+	"github.com/tlinden/tablizer/cfg"
+)
+
+func yankColumns(conf cfg.Config, data *Tabdata) {
+	var yank []string
+
+	if len(data.entries) == 0 || len(conf.UseYankColumns) == 0 {
+		return
+	}
+
+	for _, row := range data.entries {
+		for i, field := range row {
+			for _, idx := range conf.UseYankColumns {
+				if i == idx-1 {
+					yank = append(yank, field)
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if len(yank) > 0 {
+		cb := clipboard.New(clipboard.ClipboardOptions{Primary: true})
+		if err := cb.CopyText(strings.Join(yank, " ")); err != nil {
+			log.Fatalln("error writing string to clipboard:", err)
+		}
+	}
+}

lib/yank_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+/*
+Copyright © 2025 Thomas von Dein
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/
+
+package lib
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/tiagomelo/go-clipboard/clipboard"
+	"github.com/tlinden/tablizer/cfg"
+)
+
+var yanktests = []struct {
+	name   string
+	yank   []int // -y$colum,$column... after processing
+	filter string
+	expect string
+}{
+	{
+		name:   "one",
+		yank:   []int{1},
+		filter: "beta",
+	},
+}
+
+func DISABLED_TestYankColumns(t *testing.T) {
+	cb := clipboard.New()
+
+	for _, testdata := range yanktests {
+		testname := fmt.Sprintf("yank-%s-filter-%s",
+			testdata.name, testdata.filter)
+		t.Run(testname, func(t *testing.T) {
+			conf := cfg.Config{
+				OutputMode:     cfg.ASCII,
+				UseYankColumns: testdata.yank,
+				NoColor:        true,
+			}
+
+			conf.ApplyDefaults()
+			data := newData() // defined in printer_test.go, reused here
+
+			var writer bytes.Buffer
+			printData(&writer, conf, &data)
+
+			got, err := cb.PasteText()
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Errorf("failed to fetch yanked text from clipboard")
+			}
+
+			if got != testdata.expect {
+				t.Errorf("not yanked correctly:\n+++ got:\n%s\n+++ want:\n%s",
+					got, testdata.expect)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

t/test-multipatterns.txtar

@@ -1,46 +0,0 @@
-# filtering
-
-# a AND b
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies invasive imperium
-stdout 'namak'
-! stdout human
-
-# a AND !b
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies invasive '/imperium/!'
-stdout 'human'
-! stdout namak
-
-# a AND !b AND c
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies peaceful '/imperium/!' planetary
-stdout 'kenaha'
-! stdout 'namak|heduu|riedl'
-
-# case insensitive
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies '/REGIONAL/i'
-stdout namak
-! stdout 'human|riedl|heduu|kenaa'
-
-# case insensitive negated
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies '/REGIONAL/!i'
-stdout 'human|riedl|heduu|kenaa'
-! stdout namak
-
-# !a AND !b
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies '/galactic/!' '/planetary/!'
-stdout namak
-! stdout 'human|riedl|heduu|kenaa'
-
-# same case insensitive
-exec tablizer -r testtable.txt -H -cspecies '/GALACTIC/i!' '/PLANETARY/!i'
-stdout namak
-! stdout 'human|riedl|heduu|kenaa'
-
-# will be automatically created in work dir
--- testtable.txt --
-SPECIES   TYPE         HOME     STAGE             SPREAD
-human     invasive     earth    brink             planetary
-riedl     peaceful     keauna   civilized         pangalactic
-namak     invasive     namak    imperium          regional
-heduu     peaceful     iu       imperium          galactic
-kenaha    peaceful     kohi     hunter-gatherer   planetary
-

t/testtable5

@@ -1,6 +0,0 @@
-SPECIES   TYPE         HOME     STAGE
-human     invasive     earth    brink
-riedl     peaceful     keauna   civilized
-namak     invasive     namak    imperium
-heduu     peaceful     iu       imperium
-kenaha    peaceful     kohi     hunter-gatherer

tablizer.1

@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
 .\" ========================================================================
 .\"
 .IX Title "TABLIZER 1"
-.TH TABLIZER 1 "2025-01-30" "1" "User Commands"
+.TH TABLIZER 1 "2025-01-23" "1" "User Commands"
 .\" For nroff, turn off justification.  Always turn off hyphenation; it makes
 .\" way too many mistakes in technical documents.
 .if n .ad l
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ tablizer \- Manipulate tabular output of other programs
 .IX Header "SYNOPSIS"
 .Vb 2
 \&    Usage:
-\&      tablizer [regex,...] [file, ...] [flags]
+\&      tablizer [regex] [file, ...] [flags]
 \&    
 \&    Operational Flags:
 \&      \-c, \-\-columns string              Only show the speficied columns (separated by ,)
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ tablizer \- Manipulate tabular output of other programs
 \&      \-s, \-\-separator string            Custom field separator
 \&      \-k, \-\-sort\-by int|name            Sort by column (default: 1)
 \&      \-z, \-\-fuzzy                       Use fuzzy search [experimental]
-\&      \-F, \-\-filter field[!]=reg         Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
+\&      \-F, \-\-filter field=reg            Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
 \&      \-T, \-\-transpose\-columns string    Transpose the speficied columns (separated by ,)
 \&      \-R, \-\-regex\-transposer /from/to/  Apply /search/replace/ regexp to fields given in \-T
 \&
@@ -168,6 +168,8 @@ tablizer \- Manipulate tabular output of other programs
 \&      \-C, \-\-csv                         Enable CSV output
 \&      \-A, \-\-ascii                       Default output mode, ascii tabular
 \&      \-L, \-\-hightlight\-lines            Use alternating background colors for tables
+\&      \-y, \-\-yank\-columns                Yank specified columns (separated by ,) to clipboard,
+\&                                        space separated
 \&
 \&    Sort Mode Flags (mutually exclusive):
 \&      \-a, \-\-sort\-age                    sort according to age (duration) string
@@ -278,52 +280,38 @@ Finally the  \fB\-d\fR option  enables debugging  output which  is mostly
 useful for the developer.
 .SS "\s-1PATTERNS AND FILTERING\s0"
 .IX Subsection "PATTERNS AND FILTERING"
-You can reduce  the rows being displayed by using  one or more regular
-expression patterns.   The regexp  language being used  is the  one of
-\&\s-1GOLANG,\s0     refer    to     the    syntax     cheat    sheet     here:
-<https://pkg.go.dev/regexp/syntax>.
-.PP
-If you  want to  read a more  comprehensive documentation  about the
-topic and have perl installed you can read it with:
+You can reduce the rows being  displayed by using a regular expression
+pattern.  The  regexp is  \s-1PCRE\s0 compatible, refer  to the  syntax cheat
+sheet here: <https://github.com/google/re2/wiki/Syntax>.  If you want
+to read  a more comprehensive  documentation about the topic  and have
+perl installed you can read it with:
 .PP
 .Vb 1
 \&    perldoc perlre
 .Ve
 .PP
-Or read it online: <https://perldoc.perl.org/perlre>. But please note
-that the \s-1GO\s0 regexp engine does \s-1NOT\s0 support all perl regex terms,
-especially look-ahead and look-behind.
+Or read it online: <https://perldoc.perl.org/perlre>.
 .PP
-If you want to supply flags to a regex, then surround it with slashes
-and append the flag. The following flags are supported:
+A note on  modifiers: the regexp engine used in  tablizer uses another
+modifier syntax:
 .PP
-.Vb 2
-\&    i => case insensitive
-\&    ! => negative match
+.Vb 1
+\&    (?MODIFIER)
 .Ve
 .PP
+The most important modifiers are:
+.PP
+\&\f(CW\*(C`i\*(C'\fR ignore case
+\&\f(CW\*(C`m\*(C'\fR multiline mode
+\&\f(CW\*(C`s\*(C'\fR single line mode
+.PP
 Example for a case insensitive search:
 .PP
 .Vb 1
-\&    kubectl get pods \-A | tablizer "/account/i"
+\&    kubectl get pods \-A | tablizer "(?i)account"
 .Ve
 .PP
-If you use the \f(CW\*(C`!\*(C'\fR flag, then the regex match will be negated, that
-is, if a line in the input matches the given regex, but \f(CW\*(C`!\*(C'\fR is
-supplied, tablizer will \s-1NOT\s0 include it in the output.
-.PP
-For example, here we want to get all lines matching \*(L"foo\*(R" but not
-\&\*(L"bar\*(R":
-.PP
-.Vb 1
-\&    cat table | tablizer foo \*(Aq/bar/!\*(Aq
-.Ve
-.PP
-This would match a line \*(L"foo zorro\*(R" but not \*(L"foo bar\*(R".
-.PP
-The flags can also be combined.
-.PP
-You  can also use  the experimental  fuzzy search  feature by  providing the
+You  can use  the experimental  fuzzy search  feature by  providing the
 option \fB\-z\fR, in which case the  pattern is regarded as a fuzzy search
 term, not a regexp.
 .PP
@@ -340,12 +328,6 @@ Fieldnames (== columns headers) are case insensitive.
 If you specify more than one filter, both filters have to match (\s-1AND\s0
 operation).
 .PP
-These field filters can also be negated:
-.PP
-.Vb 1
-\&    fieldname!=regexp
-.Ve
-.PP
 If the option \fB\-v\fR is specified, the filtering is inverted.
 .SS "\s-1COLUMNS\s0"
 .IX Subsection "COLUMNS"
@@ -462,6 +444,20 @@ more output modes available: \fBorgtbl\fR  which prints an Emacs org-mode
 table and  \fBmarkdown\fR which prints  a Markdown table,  \fByaml\fR, which
 prints  yaml encoding  and \s-1CSV\s0  mode, which  prints a  comma separated
 value file.
+.SS "\s-1PUT FIELDS TO CLIPBOARD\s0"
+.IX Subsection "PUT FIELDS TO CLIPBOARD"
+You can let tablizer put fields to the clipboard using the option
+\&\f(CW\*(C`\-y\*(C'\fR. This best fits the use-case when the result of your filtering
+yields just one row. For example:
+.PP
+.Vb 1
+\&    cloudctl cluster ls | tablizer \-yid matchbox
+.Ve
+.PP
+If \*(L"matchbox\*(R" matches one cluster, you can immediately use the id of
+that cluster somewhere else and paste it. Of course, if there are
+multiple matches, then all id's will be put into the clipboard
+separated by one space.
 .SS "\s-1ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES\s0"
 .IX Subsection "ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES"
 \&\fBtablizer\fR supports  certain environment variables which  use can use

tablizer.pod

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ tablizer - Manipulate tabular output of other programs
 =head1 SYNOPSIS
 
     Usage:
-      tablizer [regex,...] [file, ...] [flags]
+      tablizer [regex] [file, ...] [flags]
     
     Operational Flags:
       -c, --columns string              Only show the speficied columns (separated by ,)
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ tablizer - Manipulate tabular output of other programs
       -s, --separator string            Custom field separator
       -k, --sort-by int|name            Sort by column (default: 1)
       -z, --fuzzy                       Use fuzzy search [experimental]
-      -F, --filter field[!]=reg         Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
+      -F, --filter field=reg            Filter given field with regex, can be used multiple times
       -T, --transpose-columns string    Transpose the speficied columns (separated by ,)
       -R, --regex-transposer /from/to/  Apply /search/replace/ regexp to fields given in -T
 
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ tablizer - Manipulate tabular output of other programs
       -C, --csv                         Enable CSV output
       -A, --ascii                       Default output mode, ascii tabular
       -L, --hightlight-lines            Use alternating background colors for tables
+      -y, --yank-columns                Yank specified columns (separated by ,) to clipboard,
+                                        space separated
 
     Sort Mode Flags (mutually exclusive):
       -a, --sort-age                    sort according to age (duration) string
@@ -142,44 +144,32 @@ useful for the developer.
 
 =head2 PATTERNS AND FILTERING
 
-You can reduce  the rows being displayed by using  one or more regular
-expression patterns.   The regexp  language being used  is the  one of
-GOLANG,     refer    to     the    syntax     cheat    sheet     here:
-L<https://pkg.go.dev/regexp/syntax>.
-
-If you  want to  read a more  comprehensive documentation  about the
-topic and have perl installed you can read it with:
+You can reduce the rows being  displayed by using a regular expression
+pattern.  The  regexp is  PCRE compatible, refer  to the  syntax cheat
+sheet here: L<https://github.com/google/re2/wiki/Syntax>.  If you want
+to read  a more comprehensive  documentation about the topic  and have
+perl installed you can read it with:
 
     perldoc perlre
 
-Or read it online: L<https://perldoc.perl.org/perlre>. But please note
-that the GO regexp engine does NOT support all perl regex terms,
-especially look-ahead and look-behind.
+Or read it online: L<https://perldoc.perl.org/perlre>.
 
-If you want to supply flags to a regex, then surround it with slashes
-and append the flag. The following flags are supported:
+A note on  modifiers: the regexp engine used in  tablizer uses another
+modifier syntax:
 
-    i => case insensitive
-    ! => negative match
+    (?MODIFIER)
+
+The most important modifiers are:
+
+C<i> ignore case
+C<m> multiline mode
+C<s> single line mode
 
 Example for a case insensitive search:
 
-    kubectl get pods -A | tablizer "/account/i"
+    kubectl get pods -A | tablizer "(?i)account"
 
-If you use the C<!> flag, then the regex match will be negated, that
-is, if a line in the input matches the given regex, but C<!> is
-supplied, tablizer will NOT include it in the output.
-
-For example, here we want to get all lines matching "foo" but not
-"bar":
-
-    cat table | tablizer foo '/bar/!'
-
-This would match a line "foo zorro" but not "foo bar".
-
-The flags can also be combined.
-
-You  can also use  the experimental  fuzzy search  feature by  providing the
+You  can use  the experimental  fuzzy search  feature by  providing the
 option B<-z>, in which case the  pattern is regarded as a fuzzy search
 term, not a regexp.
 
@@ -194,10 +184,6 @@ Fieldnames (== columns headers) are case insensitive.
 If you specify more than one filter, both filters have to match (AND
 operation).
 
-These field filters can also be negated:
-
-    fieldname!=regexp
-
 If the option B<-v> is specified, the filtering is inverted.
 
 
@@ -306,6 +292,19 @@ table and  B<markdown> which prints  a Markdown table,  B<yaml>, which
 prints  yaml encoding  and CSV  mode, which  prints a  comma separated
 value file.
 
+=head2 PUT FIELDS TO CLIPBOARD
+
+You can let tablizer put fields to the clipboard using the option
+C<-y>. This best fits the use-case when the result of your filtering
+yields just one row. For example:
+
+    cloudctl cluster ls | tablizer -yid matchbox
+
+If "matchbox" matches one cluster, you can immediately use the id of
+that cluster somewhere else and paste it. Of course, if there are
+multiple matches, then all id's will be put into the clipboard
+separated by one space.
+
 =head2 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
 
 B<tablizer> supports  certain environment variables which  use can use