| Some people have taken CSS beyond layouts - to | | | | especially a very simple database, and you just want |
| the point of arranging data. Tables are still a key part | | | | to display the data, and not "make it pretty", then a |
| of web design and have an important part in | | | | table is acceptable. |
| arranging data. | | | | When to not use tables |
| According to the W3C: "The HTML table model allows | | | | - To position the contents on the page in some way. |
| authors to arrange data -- text, preformatted text, | | | | For example, to add spacing around an image, to |
| images, links, forms, form fields, other tables, etc. -- | | | | place bullet icons on a list, or to force a block of text |
| into rows and columns of cells." | | | | to act like a pull quote. |
| The key word here is data. The definition of data is - | | | | - Cutting up an image and then placing the image |
| "actual information, especially information organized | | | | pieces back together using a table. |
| for analysis or used to reason or make decisions." | | | | Tables Are Your Friend |
| When to use tables | | | | It is quite possible to create a Web page that uses |
| - If the content is a record of data, such and | | | | very creative looking tables for tabular data and still |
| information organizable by a spreadsheat. | | | | remain valid and standards-based XHTML. Tables are |
| - If you're going to have header fields at the top of | | | | an important part of the XHTML specification, and |
| columns of data or to the left of rows of data | | | | learning to display tabular data well is an important |
| - If the contents makes sense in a database, | | | | part of creating Web pages. |