Web Publishing
Introduction to Tables
Before getting into the specifics of working with tables in a web editor, this introductory page defines what a table is, explains the purpose(s) of using tables, and gives tips on designing and maintaining tables.
Definition and Purpose
A table is an arrangement of data in rows (horizontal) and columns (vertical), as in the following example:
| Employee | Salary |
| Bob | 23,000 |
| Jane | 34,000 |
| Cecil | 35,000 |
On the Web and on paper, tables arrange data in a format that is easy to read. Also, on the Web, tables are frequently used to align text and images. If you want to make a column effect, or if you want to align text and/or images side by side, you can use a table.
Table Design and Maintenance Tips
By nature, web pages are very linear. Putting information side-by-side is made possible with tables. If you have worked with tables in Microsoft Word, you have a good base to build from. The following are some hints for working with tables.
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Plan before you start making a table.
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Create a master table with empty cells that you can easily copy and paste if you think you will repeat the layout of a table in other documents.
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Use borders for a reason. If they do not make a table more readable, they should probably be turned off.
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Watch the number of rows in a table. When printing, a lot of rows can create awkward page breaks.
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Creating two tables might enhance readability if the information can be logically divided.
Designing for Accessibility
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Identifying column and row headers improves accessibility for vision-impaired users by helping them understand where they are in a table.
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For users who may be using screen enlargers, you can reduce the amount of horizontal scrolling that they will have to do by using relative rather than absolute units to designate table and column widths.
Table and Cell Height
- Height should be empty; let the content determine the height. Specifying a height often causes strange problems (e.g., awkward spacing in one browser or the other).
For information regarding changing table and cell height, refer to Adjusting Basic Table Elements.
Table and Cell Width
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Percentage should be 100% or less. Otherwise, users of your page will need to scroll to the right to view the rest of the table.
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For pages that are likely to be printed, table width is recommended to be set at 600 pixels or less. If the page will probably not be printed, 650 pixels or less is suitable.
For information regarding changing table and cell width, refer to Adjusting Basic Table Elements.
