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Microsoft FrontPage 2003

Getting Started with Frames

A frameset allows you to display multiple web pages on one screen at the same time. An example of frames might be a browser screen containing a table of contents on the side, each item leading to its own link that is opened in the main portion of the page. A frames page may also have a banner linking to different pages and a footer containing links as well. 

return to topChoosing a Frames Page Style

  1. On the Standard toolbar, click BLANK PAGEBlank Page button»select Page...
    The Page Templates dialog box appears.
    Blank Page submenu

  2. Select the Frames Pages tab
    A list of various frames page styles appears.
    Page Templates dialog box

  3. OPTIONAL: To preview a style, click the appropriate icon
    In the Preview area, a sample appears.
    In the Description area, a brief description of the previewed style appears.

  4. Select the desired frames style 

  5. Click OK

return to topSetting an Initial Page

When you open a blank frames page, you will find it divided in the style you chose. You have the options to select one of your existing pages, link to an external page, or search the Web for a page to use. In each frame, there are two buttons: SET INITIAL PAGE... and NEW PAGE. If you would like to use an existing page for the frame, either in your files or on the Web, click SET INITIAL PAGE... Or, you may create a page by clicking NEW PAGE.

Setting an Initial Page: Using an Existing Page

  1. In the frame where you want to set an initial page, click SET INITIAL PAGE...
    The Insert Hyperlink dialog box appears. 
    Insert Hyperlink dialog box

  2. Using the Look in pull-down list, locate and select the desired page

  3. Click OK
    The selected page is opened and set in that frame.

Setting an Initial Page: Using an External Page

  1. In the frame where you want to set an initial page, click SET INITIAL PAGE...
    The Insert Hyperlink dialog box appears. 

  2. In the Address text box, type the URL of an external page to set in the frame
    Address text box

  3. Click OK
    The selected page is opened and set in that frame. 

Setting an Initial Page: Searching the Web

  1. In the frame where you want to set an initial page, click SET INITIAL PAGE...
    The Insert Hyperlink dialog box appears.

  2. Click BROWSE THE WEBBrowse the Web button
    The default web browser opens.

  3. Browse to the page or file you want to use

  4. Return to FrontPage
    In the Insert Hyperlink dialog box, the URL of the last page you visited appears in the Address text box.
    Address text box

  5. Click OK
    The selected page is opened and set in that frame.

return to topCreating a New Page

  1. In the frame where you want to create a new page, click NEW PAGE
    The selected frame opens a blank page.

  2. Create this frame as you would create a new web page
    NOTE: To learn how to create a new page, refer to Getting Started with FrontPage.

return to topSaving a Frames Page

You will now be prompted to either save each individual frame or each frameset. The first time you save, if you have created a new page, you will be prompted to save each frame separately. If you are using an existing page you will be prompted to save the frameset. After the frames are saved, you will also be prompted to save the frameset.

NOTE: To save a frame, you must be in Design view.

Saving Individual Frames

  1. Place the insertion point in the desired frame

  2. From the File menu, select Save
    The Save As dialog box appears, displaying the selected frame; only this frame will be saved.
    NOTE: The first time you save, if you have created a new page, you will be prompted to save each frame separately. After the frames are saved, you will also be prompted to save the frameset. 
    Save As dialog box, frame portion

  3. In the File name text box, type the desired filename for the selected frame

  4. To save this frame, click SAVE

  5. Repeat steps 1-3 for other frames

Saving the Frameset

If you are not saving for the first time you will be prompted to save the frameset, rather than individual frames.

  1. Place the insertion point in your frames page

  2. From the File menu, select Save As...
    The Save As dialog box appears, displaying the selected frameset.
    Save As dialog box, frame portion

  3. In the File name text box, type the desired filename for your frames page

  4. To save the frameset, click SAVE

return to topFrames Page Views

Once you have selected a frames style and your new frames page is open, you have an additional option for viewing your page.

Frames Pages View, No Frames tab selected

The No Frames option displays the message that will be shown when a web browser does not support frames. You may alter this message.

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