If not tables then what else can you use for layout?

**TheDon** · 11-07-2009, 01:06 AM

I have read table layouts not being a good choice for a website design as it is slower and problems can occur easilty.
My website is http://www.thai-discovery.com and my whole layout is just a big table with a few rows and columns.

If not table, what else would be good to use? I have tried the frames in DW CS3 and they just seem weird.

Any idea's? Or do I need to learn how thr frames work?

**webwest** · 11-07-2009, 01:38 AM

Tables aren't the end of the world as long as you don't use too many or nested. You didn't go overboard with your tables but CSS is the hot setup ..

**serandfae** · 11-07-2009, 01:50 AM

Check this thread out, including the link LadynRed posts in the thread for answers to this question. If you are using Dreamweaver, don't use it in design only mode, take the time to learn to code it.

tim

**TheDon** · 11-07-2009, 05:59 AM

Thanks

**Brian07002** · 11-07-2009, 04:14 PM

div tags can replace table code. It's all possible with css (cascading style sheets)

**chrishirst** · 11-07-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian07002

div tags can replace table code

Or lists, paragraphs, or any structural elements at all.

**quels** · 11-07-2009, 08:24 PM

Tables or DIV layers with CSS, but from the research I've done, neither one has more benefit than the other. Personally tables are easier to control in my opinion, but CSS opens up a whole new world I guess.

**airforce1** · 11-09-2009, 08:33 AM

I think table is still useful in site layout and it would not hurt your site though DIV+CSS might be more flexible but it might be not a good idea to use frames.

**blue-dreamer** · 11-09-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quels

Tables or DIV layers with CSS, but from the research I've done, neither one has more benefit than the other.

Try telling someone who use a screen reader or other assistive device that and you'll get the answer

**LadynRed** · 11-09-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

but from the research I've done, neither one has more benefit than the other

Then I'd have to say your 'research' is incomplete. There have been VOLUMES written about why tables for layout are not a good idea - like my favorite:

http://www.hotdesign.com/seybold/everything.html

**Designer-J** · 11-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Tables don't really slow down the load times much. Divs and css are the way to go for layout, tables should still be used for pure list data though (especially for things like retrieving lots of database data).

**darrenfox** · 11-09-2009, 10:49 PM

I'm not sure why Dreamweaver even includes frames. Maybe they hope we will continue to use them along with IE6 for as long as we can.

**jj1** · 11-11-2009, 07:10 AM

I used to use tables - and admit I somteimes still do! - but now usually use divs and css. Check out w3schools CSS for a useful introduction - once you've mastered it, it doesn't take much/any longer than tables.