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Tables really Dead?

by Elaina
12 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
I've done lots of web design for myself and small projects, but since I have recently began doing more internet marketing sites, I've been told to stop using tables all together. Any comments on either side?
#dead #tables
  • Profile picture of the author jonhel
    I started doing websites using tables about 4 years ago and then moved to using pure CSS and haven't touched a table since.

    I've got a book sitting on my desk which I purchased from sitepoint which is about Internet Explorer 8 advising that with the next revision of CSS that tables are back on the agenda.

    Welcome to the world of web design!

    Jonathan
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    • Profile picture of the author Elaina
      Ha Ha well, what are your personal issues with using tables or not?
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  • Profile picture of the author jonhel
    I've got used to CSS and prefer it to tables. It gives a degree of control that in my experience cannot be equalled with tables.

    Jonathan
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  • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
    There is no comparison between the design flexibility of CSS vs tables. CSS also lends itself well to search engine optimization, and you can provide separate style sheets for display and print functions.

    A few years ago you may have hesitated creating a site with CSS due to some major browser incompatibilities. But for the most part these have been resolved.

    Tables are great for one thing - displaying tabular data. That's what they were designed for and that's what they do best.

    Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author netrider7880
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author nikon
      Banned
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      • Profile picture of the author Lanadili
        For website layouts, I am beginning to use CSS. But as far as displaying some data on the pages, I still use tables.

        I wouldn't say that tables hurt any SEO effort though if you do use it for a layout, because my first website was designed using tables, and it is still going strong.

        If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex G.
    i'd recommend using css instead of tables.
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  • Profile picture of the author Elaina
    That just means I need to learn a lot more about CSS, but thanks for the advice guys!
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  • Profile picture of the author qubex
    Also, the most beneficial feature of CSS is the ability to create an external style sheet, allowing for just 1 tiny piece of code, instead of reentering the table tags multiple times.
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    • Profile picture of the author Elaina
      Originally Posted by qubex View Post

      Also, the most beneficial feature of CSS is the ability to create an external style sheet, allowing for just 1 tiny piece of code, instead of reentering the table tags multiple times.
      Thats very true. I've just only worked with Dreamweaver and really didn't have to mess with any of that, which is why I never really saw a difference between the two. Absolutely makes sense though.
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  • Profile picture of the author wayfarer
    Making sites with tables for layout is like wearing socks on the outside of your shoes.
    Signature
    I build web things, server things. I help build the startup Veenome. | Remote Programming Jobs
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    • Profile picture of the author Elaina
      Originally Posted by wayfarer View Post

      Making sites with tables for layout is like wearing socks on the outside of your shoes.

      Ha ha ha ha, okay okay I get it guys!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Clay
    There are still many good uses for tables. Sometimes you cannot get the CSS to work across browsers. Another reason is pure semantics. Do you have something that should actually be a table? You know like the periodic table of elements etc. You can still apply CSS to the table for styling!
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    Click Here Now For All Of Your Internet Marketing Needs!
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