def find_column_char(text, column, tab_width=4):
  """Find the character that corresponds to the specified column.

  In the absence of tabs in the text, the return value will be equal
  to the column.  When tabs are present, it will be smaller.

  """
  text = text[:column]
  while len(text.expandtabs(tab_width)) > column:
    text = text[:(len(text)-1)]
  return len(text)