diff --git a/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-cursor.sml b/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-cursor.sml
index 7478026..2273bc0 100644
--- a/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-cursor.sml
+++ b/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-cursor.sml
@@ -168,6 +168,14 @@ struct
                 Utils.makeCursor (posX, posY, env) :: acc
               else
                 acc
+            val posX =
+              if column < #scrollColumnStart env then
+                (* if we are prior to the start column, 
+                 * we want to set the x position to be at the start
+                 * in preparation for when we are at the start column *)
+                #startX env
+              else
+                posX + TC.xSpace
           in
             build
               ( pos + 1
@@ -175,7 +183,7 @@ struct
               , stl
               , line
               , ltl
-              , posX + TC.xSpace
+              , posX
               , posY
               , column + 1
               , lineNumber
diff --git a/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-highlight.sml b/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-highlight.sml
index fe5101b..a2183f2 100644
--- a/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-highlight.sml
+++ b/fcore/text-builder/text-builder-with-highlight.sml
@@ -208,6 +208,9 @@ struct
                     Utils.makeHighlight (posX, posY, env) :: acc
                   else
                     acc
+                val posX =
+                  if column < #scrollColumnStart env then #startX env
+                  else posX + TC.xSpace
               in
                 build
                   ( pos + 1
@@ -215,7 +218,7 @@ struct
                   , stl
                   , line
                   , ltl
-                  , posX + TC.xSpace
+                  , posX
                   , posY
                   , column + 1
                   , lineNumber