diff --git a/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pxd b/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pxd
index 7e68906..3d8cc73 100755
--- a/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pxd
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ cdef class Column(OBIWrapper) :
     
     cdef inline OBIDMS_column_p pointer(self)
     cdef read_elements_names(self)
+    cpdef list keys(self)
     
     @staticmethod
     cdef type get_column_class(obitype_t obitype, bint multi_elts, bint tuples)
diff --git a/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pyx b/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pyx
index ab77a74..8d4a67b 100755
--- a/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/dms/column/column.pyx
@@ -323,7 +323,10 @@ cdef class Column(OBIWrapper) :
         free(elts_names_b)
         return elts_names_list
     
-    
+    cpdef list keys(self):
+        return self._elements_names
+
+
     # Column alias property getter and setter
     @property
     def name(self):
@@ -340,7 +343,7 @@ cdef class Column(OBIWrapper) :
     @property
     def elements_names(self):
         return self._elements_names
- 
+       
     # nb_elements_per_line property getter
     @property
     def nb_elements_per_line(self):