diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pxd b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pxd
index 394ed1a..b6b80c7 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pxd
@@ -29,9 +29,7 @@ cdef extern from "obidmscolumn.h" nogil:
     size_t obi_column_get_line_count(OBIDMS_column_p column)
     const char* obi_column_get_elements_names(OBIDMS_column_p column)
     void obi_column_make_unwritable(OBIDMS_column_p column)
-    size_t obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, const char* element_name)
     OBIDMS_column_p obi_open_column(OBIDMS_p dms, const char* column_name, obiversion_t version_number)
-    size_t obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(OBIDMS_column_p column)
     OBIType_t obi_column_get_type(OBIDMS_column_p column)
     int obi_close_column(OBIDMS_column_p column)
     OBIType_t obi_column_get_data_type_from_name(OBIDMS_p dms, const char* column_name)
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pyx b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pyx
index 7c9d168..dd22d3e 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/capidmscolumn.pyx
@@ -62,11 +62,7 @@ cdef class OBIDMS_column:
     def get_elements_names(self):
         elements_names = obi_column_get_elements_names(self.pointer)
         return (elements_names.decode('UTF-8')).split(';')
-         
-    def get_element_index_from_name(self, element_name):
-        element_name = element_name.encode(encoding='UTF-8')
-        return obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(self.pointer, element_name)
-    
+             
     def get_data_type(self):
         return self.data_type
     
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pxd b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pxd
index 77f1051..cb9b503 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pxd
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ from obitools3.obidms.obidmscolumn.capidmscolumn cimport *
 
 cdef extern from "obidmscolumn_bool.h" nogil:
 
-    int obi_column_set_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obibool_t value)
-    obibool_t obi_column_get_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+    int obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obibool_t value);
+    obibool_t obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pyx b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pyx
index f657f36..b0f99db 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_bool/capidmscolumn_bool.pyx
@@ -6,25 +6,9 @@ from .capidmscolumn_bool cimport *
 cdef class OBIDMS_column_bool(OBIDMS_column) :
   
     def set_item(self, line_nb, element_name, value):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_set_bool(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx, value)
+        return obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'), value)
      
     def get_item(self, line_nb, element_name):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_get_bool(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx)
+        return obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'))
         
     
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pxd b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pxd
index 32e2b76..a56e84d 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pxd
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ from obitools3.obidms.obidmscolumn.capidmscolumn cimport *
 
 cdef extern from "obidmscolumn_char.h" nogil:
 
-    int obi_column_set_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obichar_t* value)
-    obichar_t* obi_column_get_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+    int obi_column_set_char_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obichar_t* value)
+    obichar_t* obi_column_get_char_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name)
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pyx b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pyx
index d1a8e43..563b092 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_char/capidmscolumn_char.pyx
@@ -6,25 +6,9 @@ from .capidmscolumn_char cimport *
 cdef class OBIDMS_column_char(OBIDMS_column) :
   
     def set_item(self, line_nb, element_name, value):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_set_char(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx, value)
+        return obi_column_set_char_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'), value.encode('utf-8'))
      
     def get_item(self, line_nb, element_name):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return (obi_column_get_char(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx)).decode(encoding='UTF-8')[:1]    #not ideal...
+        return (obi_column_get_char_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'))).decode(encoding='utf-8')[:1]
         
     
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pxd b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pxd
index d68a2f2..65e775d 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pxd
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ from obitools3.obidms.obidmscolumn.capidmscolumn cimport *
 
 cdef extern from "obidmscolumn_float.h" nogil:
 
-    int obi_column_set_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obifloat_t value)
-    obifloat_t obi_column_get_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+    int obi_column_set_float_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obifloat_t value);
+    obifloat_t obi_column_get_float_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pyx b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pyx
index a82c2e9..ced654a 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_float/capidmscolumn_float.pyx
@@ -6,25 +6,8 @@ from .capidmscolumn_float cimport *
 cdef class OBIDMS_column_float(OBIDMS_column) :
   
     def set_item(self, line_nb, element_name, value):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_set_float(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx, value)
+        return obi_column_set_float_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'), value)
      
     def get_item(self, line_nb, element_name):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_get_float(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx)
-        
+        return obi_column_get_float_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'))
     
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pxd b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pxd
index b804114..020c044 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pxd
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ from obitools3.obidms.obidmscolumn.capidmscolumn cimport *
 
 cdef extern from "obidmscolumn_idx.h" nogil:
 
-    int obi_column_set_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiidx_t value)
-    obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+    int obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obiidx_t value);
+    obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pyx b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pyx
index 7060506..51babcf 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_idx/capidmscolumn_idx.pyx
@@ -6,25 +6,8 @@ from .capidmscolumn_idx cimport *
 cdef class OBIDMS_column_idx(OBIDMS_column) :
   
     def set_item(self, line_nb, element_name, value):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_set_idx(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx, value)
+        return obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'), value)
      
     def get_item(self, line_nb, element_name):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_get_idx(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx)
-        
+        return obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'))
     
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pxd b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pxd
index e142806..6af0835 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pxd
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pxd
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ from obitools3.obidms.obidmscolumn.capidmscolumn cimport *
 
 cdef extern from "obidmscolumn_int.h" nogil:
 
-    int obi_column_set_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiint_t value)
-    obiint_t obi_column_get_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+    int obi_column_set_int_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obiint_t value);
+    obiint_t obi_column_get_int_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
diff --git a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pyx b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pyx
index b645e0b..bcb5960 100644
--- a/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pyx
+++ b/python/obitools3/obidms/obidmscolumn/obidmscolumn_int/capidmscolumn_int.pyx
@@ -6,25 +6,9 @@ from .capidmscolumn_int cimport *
 cdef class OBIDMS_column_int(OBIDMS_column) :
   
     def set_item(self, line_nb, element_name, value):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_set_int(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx, value)
+        return obi_column_set_int_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'), value)
      
     def get_item(self, line_nb, element_name):
-        if element_name != "" :
-            element_idx = self.get_element_index_from_name(element_name)
-        else :
-            if obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(self.pointer) == 1 :
-                element_idx = 0
-            else : 
-                print("An element name must be specified")
-                return -1
-        return obi_column_get_int(self.pointer, line_nb, element_idx)
+        return obi_column_get_int_with_elt_name(self.pointer, line_nb, element_name.encode('utf-8'))
         
     
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_bool.c b/src/obidmscolumn_bool.c
index 0c07818..22d9ed2 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_bool.c
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_bool.c
@@ -19,23 +19,78 @@
 #include "obidebug.h"
 
 
+#define DEBUG_LEVEL 0
+
+
 /**********************************************************************
  *
  * D E F I N I T I O N   O F   T H E   P U B L I C   F U N C T I O N S
  *
  **********************************************************************/
 
-int obi_column_set_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obibool_t value)
+int obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obibool_t value)
 {
 	// when/where check if can write?
-	// check if value in enum?
 	*(((obibool_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx) = value;
 	return 0;
 }
 
 
-obibool_t obi_column_get_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+obibool_t obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
 {
 	return *(((obibool_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx);
 }
 
+
+int obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obibool_t value)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx, value);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+
+obibool_t obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	return obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx);
+}
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_bool.h b/src/obidmscolumn_bool.h
index d26f0bb..bd1aea0 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_bool.h
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_bool.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 
 /**
- * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_BOOL.
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_BOOL, using the index of the element in the line.
  *
  * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
  * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
  * @retvalue 0 on success
  * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
  *
- * @since August 2015
+ * @since July 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-int obi_column_set_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obibool_t value);
+int obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obibool_t value);
 
 
 /**
@@ -51,9 +51,51 @@ int obi_column_set_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_i
  *
  * @return the recovered value
  *
+ * @since July 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obibool_t obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+
+
+/**
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_BOOL, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be set
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be set in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @param value the value that should be set
+ *
+ * @return an integer value indicating the success of the operation.
+ *
+ * @retvalue 0 on success
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
+ *
  * @since August 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-obibool_t obi_column_get_bool(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+int obi_column_set_bool_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obibool_t value);
 
 
+/**
+ * @brief Recovers a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_BOOL, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be recovered
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be recovered in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @return the recovered value
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set. TODO an other value must be chosen
+ *
+ * @since August 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obibool_t obi_column_get_bool_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
+
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_char.c b/src/obidmscolumn_char.c
index c399c66..01972d1 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_char.c
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_char.c
@@ -19,13 +19,16 @@
 #include "obidebug.h"
 
 
+#define DEBUG_LEVEL 0
+
+
 /**********************************************************************
  *
  * D E F I N I T I O N   O F   T H E   P U B L I C   F U N C T I O N S
  *
  **********************************************************************/
 
-int obi_column_set_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obichar_t* value)
+int obi_column_set_char_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obichar_t* value)
 {
 	// when/where check if can write?
 	*(((obichar_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx) = value[0];
@@ -33,8 +36,61 @@ int obi_column_set_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_i
 }
 
 
-obichar_t* obi_column_get_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+obichar_t* obi_column_get_char_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
 {
 	return ((obichar_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx;
 }
 
+
+int obi_column_set_char_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obichar_t* value)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	obi_column_set_char_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx, value);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+
+obichar_t* obi_column_get_char_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return NULL;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return NULL;
+    }
+
+	return obi_column_get_char_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx);
+}
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_char.h b/src/obidmscolumn_char.h
index f968c58..bbf76de 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_char.h
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_char.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 
 /**
- * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_CHAR.
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_CHAR, using the index of the element in the line.
  *
  * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
  * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
  * @retvalue 0 on success
  * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
  *
- * @since August 2015
+ * @since July 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-int obi_column_set_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obichar_t* value);
+int obi_column_set_char_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obichar_t* value);
 
 
 /**
@@ -51,9 +51,51 @@ int obi_column_set_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_i
  *
  * @return the recovered value
  *
+ * @since July 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obichar_t* obi_column_get_char_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+
+
+/**
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_CHAR, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be set
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be set in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @param value the value that should be set
+ *
+ * @return an integer value indicating the success of the operation.
+ *
+ * @retvalue 0 on success
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
+ *
  * @since August 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-obichar_t* obi_column_get_char(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+int obi_column_set_char_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obichar_t* value);
 
 
+/**
+ * @brief Recovers a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_CHAR, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be recovered
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be recovered in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @return the recovered value
+ * @retvalue NULL on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set. TODO an other value should be chosen maybe
+ *
+ * @since August 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obichar_t* obi_column_get_char_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
+
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_float.c b/src/obidmscolumn_float.c
index e0e0d7d..826aba9 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_float.c
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_float.c
@@ -19,13 +19,16 @@
 #include "obidebug.h"
 
 
+#define DEBUG_LEVEL 0
+
+
 /**********************************************************************
  *
  * D E F I N I T I O N   O F   T H E   P U B L I C   F U N C T I O N S
  *
  **********************************************************************/
 
-int obi_column_set_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obifloat_t value)
+int obi_column_set_float_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obifloat_t value)
 {
 	// when/where check if can write?
 	*(((obifloat_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx) = value;
@@ -33,8 +36,61 @@ int obi_column_set_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_
 }
 
 
-obifloat_t obi_column_get_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+obifloat_t obi_column_get_float_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
 {
 	return *(((obifloat_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx);
 }
 
+
+int obi_column_set_float_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obifloat_t value)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	obi_column_set_float_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx, value);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+
+obifloat_t obi_column_get_float_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	return obi_column_get_float_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx);
+}
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_float.h b/src/obidmscolumn_float.h
index 6b800e0..9ef3d4b 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_float.h
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_float.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 
 /**
- * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_FLOAT.
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_FLOAT, using the index of the element in the line.
  *
  * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
  * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
  * @retvalue 0 on success
  * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
  *
- * @since August 2015
+ * @since July 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-int obi_column_set_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obifloat_t value);
+int obi_column_set_float_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obifloat_t value);
 
 
 /**
@@ -51,9 +51,51 @@ int obi_column_set_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_
  *
  * @return the recovered value
  *
+ * @since July 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obifloat_t obi_column_get_float_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+
+
+/**
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_FLOAT, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be set
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be set in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @param value the value that should be set
+ *
+ * @return an integer value indicating the success of the operation.
+ *
+ * @retvalue 0 on success
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
+ *
  * @since August 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-obifloat_t obi_column_get_float(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+int obi_column_set_float_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obifloat_t value);
 
 
+/**
+ * @brief Recovers a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_FLOAT, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be recovered
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be recovered in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @return the recovered value
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set. TODO an other value must be chosen
+ *
+ * @since August 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obifloat_t obi_column_get_float_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
+
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_idx.c b/src/obidmscolumn_idx.c
index 0253956..f26ce99 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_idx.c
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_idx.c
@@ -19,13 +19,16 @@
 #include "obidebug.h"
 
 
+#define DEBUG_LEVEL 0
+
+
 /**********************************************************************
  *
  * D E F I N I T I O N   O F   T H E   P U B L I C   F U N C T I O N S
  *
  **********************************************************************/
 
-int obi_column_set_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiidx_t value)
+int obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiidx_t value)
 {
 	// when/where check if can write?
 	*(((obiidx_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx) = value;
@@ -33,8 +36,61 @@ int obi_column_set_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_id
 }
 
 
-obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
 {
 	return *(((obiidx_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx);
 }
 
+
+int obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obiidx_t value)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx, value);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+
+obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	return obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx);
+}
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_idx.h b/src/obidmscolumn_idx.h
index 07e6609..e043d5a 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_idx.h
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_idx.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 
 /**
- * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_IDX.
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_IDX, using the index of the element in the line.
  *
  * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
  * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
@@ -34,10 +34,10 @@
  * @retvalue 0 on success
  * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
  *
- * @since August 2015
+ * @since July 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-int obi_column_set_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiidx_t value);
+int obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiidx_t value);
 
 
 /**
@@ -51,9 +51,51 @@ int obi_column_set_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_id
  *
  * @return the recovered value
  *
+ * @since July 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+
+
+/**
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_IDX, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be set
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be set in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @param value the value that should be set
+ *
+ * @return an integer value indicating the success of the operation.
+ *
+ * @retvalue 0 on success
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
+ *
  * @since August 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+int obi_column_set_idx_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obiidx_t value);
 
 
+/**
+ * @brief Recovers a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_IDX, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be recovered
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be recovered in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @return the recovered value
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set. TODO an other value must be chosen
+ *
+ * @since August 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obiidx_t obi_column_get_idx_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
+
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_int.c b/src/obidmscolumn_int.c
index d0bd07c..afd4fb5 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_int.c
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_int.c
@@ -19,13 +19,16 @@
 #include "obidebug.h"
 
 
+#define DEBUG_LEVEL 0
+
+
 /**********************************************************************
  *
  * D E F I N I T I O N   O F   T H E   P U B L I C   F U N C T I O N S
  *
  **********************************************************************/
 
-int obi_column_set_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiint_t value)
+int obi_column_set_int_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiint_t value)
 {
 	// when/where check if can write?
 	*(((obiint_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx) = value;
@@ -33,13 +36,62 @@ int obi_column_set_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_id
 }
 
 
-obiint_t obi_column_get_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
+obiint_t obi_column_get_int_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx)
 {
 	return *(((obiint_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * ((column->header)->nb_elements_per_line)) + element_idx);
 }
 
 
-//obiint_t* obi_column_get_line_address_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t nb_elements_per_line, size_t line_nb)
-//{
-//	return (((obiint_t*) (column->data)) + (line_nb * nb_elements_per_line));
-//}
+int obi_column_set_int_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obiint_t value)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	obi_column_set_int_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx, value);
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
+
+obiint_t obi_column_get_int_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name)
+{
+	size_t element_idx;
+
+	if (!strcmp(element_name, "\0"))	// element name is empty
+	{
+		if (obi_column_get_nb_elements_per_line(column) == 1)	// check that there is only one element per line
+			element_idx = 0;
+		else													// there is more than one element per line
+		{
+			obi_set_errno(OBICOL_UNKNOWN_ERROR);
+			obidebug(1, "\nAn element name must be specified");
+        	return -1;
+		}
+	}
+    else
+    {
+		element_idx = obi_column_get_element_index_from_name(column, element_name);
+		if (element_idx == -1)
+			return -1;
+    }
+
+	return obi_column_get_int_with_elt_idx(column, line_nb, element_idx);
+}
+
diff --git a/src/obidmscolumn_int.h b/src/obidmscolumn_int.h
index c35d02d..ca71653 100644
--- a/src/obidmscolumn_int.h
+++ b/src/obidmscolumn_int.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 
 
 /**
- * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_INT.
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_INT, using the index of the element in the line.
  *
  * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
  * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
  * @since July 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-int obi_column_set_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiint_t value);
+int obi_column_set_int_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx, obiint_t value);
 
 
 /**
@@ -54,6 +54,48 @@ int obi_column_set_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_id
  * @since July 2015
  * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
  */
-obiint_t obi_column_get_int(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
+obiint_t obi_column_get_int_with_elt_idx(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, size_t element_idx);
 
 
+/**
+ * @brief Sets a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_INT, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ * @warning Pointers returned by obi_open_column() don't allow writing.
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be set
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be set in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @param value the value that should be set
+ *
+ * @return an integer value indicating the success of the operation.
+ *
+ * @retvalue 0 on success
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set.
+ *
+ * @since August 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+int obi_column_set_int_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name, obiint_t value);
+
+
+/**
+ * @brief Recovers a value in an OBIDMS column containing data with the type OBI_INT, using the name of the element in the line.
+ *
+ * @param column a pointer as returned by obi_create_column()
+ *
+ * @param line_nb the number of the line where the value should be recovered
+ *
+ * @param element_name the name of the element that should be recovered in the line
+ * If empty, it is checked that there is only one element per line
+ *
+ * @return the recovered value
+ * @retvalue -1 on failure and the `obi_errno` variable is set. TODO an other value must be chosen
+ *
+ * @since August 2015
+ * @author Celine Mercier (celine.mercier@metabarcoding.org)
+ */
+obiint_t obi_column_get_int_with_elt_name(OBIDMS_column_p column, size_t line_nb, char* element_name);
+