Text editing commands for macros

I have a lot of text in paragraph frames which is formatted into two columns using a tab to define the second column.

eg the text looks like:

AAAAA<tab>BBBBB

CCC11<tab>DDD34

I want to apply a different colour to the first column using an object style.

I am trying to work out the keystrokes needed to perform this action so I can create a VBA macro to automate it.

The sequence I need is something like:

- move the start of next line

- select text up to next Tab character

- apply Object style to selected text

- repeat to end of paragraph frame

A slightly reverse sequence which sort of works is:

- find tab character (using ctrl F find box - but then have to click back in text)

- select to beginning of line (shift home)

- apply object style to selected

Can someone point me in the right direction please?