Using CSS with Tables by Stephen Cope
Tables are currently the most common method of laying out/structuring a web
page. Although the use of tables for this purpose is considered, by many, to be
a misuse, it is by far the easiest way of organising web page content.
Most purists would say their use is now obsolete and you should switch to
Cascading Style sheets for website /web page layout. However personally I still
prefer tables for the basic outline structure in what is called a "minimal
table layout".
In the minimal table approach the outline structure is created using a table,
and positioning within the table is done using cascading style sheet elements.
This is the approach I currently use, and probably will continue to use over
the next few years.
Not only can you use CSS for the element layout they can also be used to
control the table itself, like table width or background colour. This way, just
by making a change in the external CSS control file you can change the tables
for all web pages, and with it the appearance/layout of the entire website.
One of the other advantages of continuing to use tables for page layout is that
the pages are still easy to edit with most web page editors, whereas if you use
CSS themselves for positioning then you will need a compatible editor.
Tables have been the mainstay of web page layout for many years and will
continue to be over the next few years. However when combined with Cascading
style sheets they can become very flexible and powerful, as well as simple to
use.
To see how easy it is to do see <http://www.build-your-website.co.uk/css/Web-Page-Layout-Using-Tables-CSS.htm>;Web
Page Layout Using Tables and CSS
About the Author
Stephen cope is a freelance technical trainer and the webmaster of several
websites offering website making tips
and articles to help you make your
own website
|
