diff --git a/wintable/api.h b/wintable/api.h
index 7ec9afc..fb0e1c0 100644
--- a/wintable/api.h
+++ b/wintable/api.h
@@ -33,3 +33,20 @@ HANDLER(apiHandlers)
 	}
 	return FALSE;
 }
+
+static LRESULT notify(struct table *t, UINT code, intptr_t row, intptr_t column, uintptr_t data)
+{
+	tableNM nm;
+
+	ZeroMemory(&nm, sizeof (tableNM));
+	nm.nmhdr.hwndFrom = t->hwnd;
+	// TODO check for error from here? 0 is a valid ID (IDCANCEL)
+	nm.nmhdr.idFrom = GetDlgCtrlID(t->hwnd);
+	nm.nmhdr.code = code;
+	nm.row = row;
+	nm.column = column;
+	nm.columnType = t->columnTypes[nm.column];
+	nm.data = data;
+	// TODO check for error from GetParent()?
+	return SendMessageW(GetParent(t->hwnd), WM_NOTIFY, (WPARAM) (nm.nmhdr.idFrom), (LPARAM) (&nm));
+}
diff --git a/wintable/main.h b/wintable/main.h
index 3999d7b..670f620 100644
--- a/wintable/main.h
+++ b/wintable/main.h
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 // - make sure all error messages involving InvalidateRect() are consistent with regards to "redrawing" and "queueing for redraw"
 // - collect all resize-related tasks in a single function (so things like adding columns will refresh everything, not just horizontal scrolls; also would fix initial coordinates)
 // - checkbox columns don't clip to the column width
+// - send standard notification codes
 
 #define tableWindowClass L"gouitable"
 
@@ -28,6 +29,35 @@ enum {
 	nTableColumnTypes,
 };
 
+// notification codes
+// note that these are positive; see http://blogs.msdn.com/b/oldnewthing/archive/2009/08/21/9877791.aspx
+// each of these is of type tableNM
+// all fields except data will always be set
+enum {
+	// data parameter is always 0
+	// for tableColumnText return should be WCHAR *
+	// for tableColumnImage return should be HBITMAP
+	// for tableColumnCheckbox return is nonzero for checked, zero for unchecked
+	tableNotificationGetColumnData,
+	// data parameter is pointer, same as tableNotificationGetColumnData
+	// not sent for checkboxes
+	// no return
+	tableNotificationFreeColumnData,
+	// data is zero
+	// no return
+	tableNotificationToggleColumnCheck,
+};
+
+typedef struct tableNM tableNM;
+
+struct tableNM {
+	NMHDR nmhdr;
+	intptr_t row;
+	intptr_t column;
+	int columnType;
+	uintptr_t data;
+};
+
 static void (*tablePanic)(const char *, DWORD) = NULL;
 #define panic(...) (*tablePanic)(__VA_ARGS__, GetLastError())
 #define abort $$$$		// prevent accidental use of abort()
@@ -65,6 +95,9 @@ struct table {
 	struct tableAcc *ta;
 };
 
+// forward declaration (TODO needed?)
+static LRESULT notify(struct table *, UINT, intptr_t, intptr_t, uintptr_t);
+
 #include "util.h"
 #include "coord.h"
 #include "scroll.h"