Tables

Tables are made up of columns and rows with information placed inside table cells. Tables may be used in one of two ways.

Data Tables:

Data tables display relationships between types of information. The data table may display information in columns and rows, with headings describing the type of data.

Layout Tables:

Layout tables position information on the page or define the general layout of a page.

A layout table may display text in columns, or it may be used to display an image on one portion of the page and the text on another part of the same page.

Each cell can be formatted as a unique area with its own background color, margins, font formatting, and text alignment.

Tables also allow for the Web designer to plan in blank areas . Blank areas help the Web page feel un-cluttered and easier to use.

Below is an example of a data table

NAME PHONE OCCUPATION
John Smith 999-5516 Doctor
Lucy Lopez 888-2413 Lawyer
Adrian Wallace 777-3695 Chief

Below are examples of layout tables (If you are using Jaws, turn on layout tables in the Jaws verbosity settings)

WELCOME
 

This is a picture of a guide dog and its companion. The dog is blond and the woman is carrying a red book.
 

Perspectives on Partnership

We love our dogs for many reasons—they're confidants, walking partners, and companions. But what if your life depended on a dog every single day? This is what it means for a person to have a Guide Dog. It may be the best example yet of the reciprocal relationship between humans and dogs. Guide Dogs for the Blind provides a place for Guide Dogs and blind people to come together in the presence of top trainers and dedicated volunteers.

The following is an example of poorly organizing information on a page:

This is an

   example of what

can  happen

                                if you try and align information on

a

                                                   page without using a Table

The following is an example of organizing information on a page with tables which is not confusing:

Tables are the most widely used Web design element for page layouts. It is true that many applications provide ways of floating images on a page.

This seems like an easy method of placing information on a page.

Clip art image of stick figure people aligned in rows and columns.

But, the result for floating information on a page and trying to align text with spaces and Tabs is unpredictable.

The best way of assuring Web layout success is by using Tables.

Unfortunately, even even when using tables, the results are not always perfect. There are so many different types of computers, software, and settups, that it is nearly impossible to design a page that will look and feel the same on every computer.

For more practice with table elements, follow the links below.

Bookshare.org

Sacramento Metropolitan Area Bus Routes

Here is a bad example of the use of tables for layout.

 

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