Tables

Tables are the infrastructure of web design. Table techniques can be used with the simplest of web authoring tools and can eliminate the need to use more complex formatting methods (such as frames or cascading style sheets). While the use of tables could increase page download times, not all browsers support frames or cascading style sheets. Neither formatting solution is perfect.

Tables serve two key functions in web page design:

1.      To align and display information in columns and rows

2.      To produce total page layout with the creative organization of columns, rows and cells

In total page layout, you can use tables to create the appearance of page sections of varying size, with multiple colors and images....all without the more complex application of frames, style sheets and other formatting methods.

NOTE: Consider slicing your tables up vertically. One large, overall table will require more load time than multiple vertically-aligned tables. And remember; try to keep nested tables to an absolute minimum. Nested tables also require more load time.