Posted by Jonathan N. Little on 04/14/06 01:36

Paul B wrote:
> I understand that using tables is not the 'correct' way to create a
> webpage layout, so I wondered what the general consensus is on using
> div tags to 'simulate' a table:
> http://seventynine.net/testing/test01.html
>
> It is a very very basic example but I'm sure anyone who has made a
> layout with a table can see the point behind it.

I am absolutely amazed how often this topic appears when it is so often
very well answered as in this thread. It does not seem to be to
difficult a concept to wrap ones mind around but yet the misconceptions
that *all* tables are bad persists!

<soapbox>
Okay maybe folks cannot recognized what the difference between tabular
data and layout framework is, so here it goes...

Tables are for tabular data, information that when organized in rows and
columns, where by such physical organization, has some purpose in
interpreting the data.

WORK OUTPUT
===========
CHIEFS
| 1 | 5 | 10 |
--+----+----+----+
10|100 | 15 | 5 |
--+----+----+----+
INDIANS 5| 85 | 25 | 3 |
--+----+----+----+
1| 65 | 50 | 0 |
--+----+----+----+

However if you are using a table to place a bit of data in a specific
location in the viewport, that is presentation! In this situation ask
yourself why do you want that bit of text there and I bet your answer
will be: "Cuz it looks good"! That *is* presentation!

Do *not* use a table to "hang" bits of your webpage's content in
specific places within the viewport. Use CSS. The real advantage of CSS
over tables becomes very clear when your decide later on that your do
not like your navbar on the upper left corner of your webpage but wish
it on the upper right, (Oh yes! Navbars are *NOT* tabular data, unless
the pages relate to say dates on a calender and the links are
understandably place in a table that resembles a page of a calender).

If you use a table you must edit your html (possible many many times
depending on how many pages are effected on your site) whereas if done
properly may only require one single change to a stylesheet to make the
change to your entire site!

Again to be clear: if you're using a table to place to bits here and
there on the page "'cuz it looks good"--STOP! If you are doing it to
arrange info in rows and columns because is has a "this vs. that"
relationship then by all means!
</soapbox>

--
Take care,

Jonathan
-------------------
LITTLE WORKS STUDIO
http://www.LittleWorksStudio.com

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