Page #47 (Part II: Improving Your Web Page)

Chapter 5. Tables

So far, you've learned how to add attractive text and eye-catching images to your Web site, but they all appear in a more or less vertical line down your page. This probably isn't the gorgeous design you had in mind. How do you arrange these elements in an interesting and dynamic way that really gets the most out of a Web browser's screen space?

As you've seen, HTML isn't very helpful when it comes to page layout. To gain a modicum of control, Web developers have turned to tables to help them design and organize a page. Tables rise to a lofty purpose when it comes to designing a Web page. In lieu of holding boring data, they contain images, page headings, product offerings, and more. On many pages, designers use the simple trick of hiding the table, so their pages look masterfully laid out, but the viewer doesn't see all the scaffolding at work behind the scenes.

Learning how to insert and manipulate tables well is the most effective skill you can have in your design repertoire if you want your pages to look professional. FrontPage also offers a sophisticated improvement on the traditional HTML tablethe layout table , which is surprisingly powerful. This chapter will explain when and how to use all these tools.