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Why do we use tables?
Tables are used to format the visual
display of Web page content. We typically think of tables as tools for
analyzing data, but any text, graphic, and/or function can be displayed
in a table.
Tables are comprised of individual
CELLS
| Cell ONE |
Cell
TWO |
Cell
THREE |
| Cell
FOUR |
Cell FIVE |
Cell SIX |
that are aligned to form COLUMNS
| Cell
ONE |
Cell TWO |
Cell THREE |
| Cell
FOUR |
Cell FIVE |
Cell SIX |
and ROWS
| Cell ONE |
Cell TWO |
Cell THREE |
| Cell
FOUR |
Cell FIVE |
Cell SIX |
What kind of visual displays
can we get with tables?
Tables give us more precise control over the placement and spacing of
Web page content, and therefore, more versatility in visual style. To
illustrate, consider:
Data analysis like this...
|
Grade
|
Female
|
Male
|
Total
|
| Kindergarten |
13
|
11
|
24
|
| First Grade |
12
|
13
|
25
|
|
Totals
|
25
|
24
|
49
|
Presenting Information within
visible borders like this...
| Nouns |
Pronouns |
Verbs
|
Adjectives |
| Adverbs |
Prepositions |
Conjunctions |
Interjections |
Alignment precision for information
without visible borders like
this ...
| Column
I |
Column
II |
Column
III |
| *
Info |
*
Info |
*
Info |
Placement and spacing of images,
text, and background colors like this...
|
Text
|
|
function
|
|
Link
|
Navigation
|
LOOK!
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Alignment of functional elements
like this ...
To Summarize
As shown above, tables can help us with:
- Precision placement and/or
spacing of content
- Special effects like color
and/or borders
- Image and color design
and placement
- Alignment of functional
elements such as
The only limit for using tables
in Web pages is your imagination. Practice visual display with tables
to test your ideas!
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