Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing improved editing capability in a structure editor, and more particularly for syntax-directed editors. A set of methods provide an approach to selecting arbitrary nodes from within a tree, and using those arbitrarily selected groups of nodes in otherwise conventional editing operations such as move, copy, delete, collect, and the like. In syntax-directed editors, the present invention provides a way of maintaining syntax while these novel and highly flexible editing operations are performed.