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Presentation/Web

FrontPage - Tables

Tables are the only formatting tool that gives some direct control over exactly what appears where. They make it possible to divide the page up into a grid on the basis of pixel size or percentage of available display space, and then control how objects appear inside the sections. Unfortunately, it isn't as flexible as the placement tools available to users of Word or Publisher, but it's the best that we can do on the Web.

To insert a table, click on the "Insert Table" icon, and drag the mouse out to the desired dimensions. If more rows or columns are needed (or must be added later), right-click from within the table and select "Insert Row" or "Insert Column."

     
     
     

By default, the table will cover the entire width of the web page, with sections, called cells, evenly proportioned across its width.  The height of each cell is determined by the height of its contents - by default, one "normal"size font text character. Access to these settings are available by clicking anywhere inside the table and using the trusty right-click menu. Select "Table Properties" to edit the entire table, or "Cell properties" to edit only the cell in which the curser is located.

 

To the left is the "Table Properties" dialog box. The text you are reading now, and the images to the left, are in a table. It's not visible because the "Borders/Size" is set to 0. A few of the available settings, and what they do, follow:
  • Alignment: This sets the default for how text and images will appear in the cells - left/center/right/etc.
  • Float: This is the same as "Picture Properties" "Layout Alignment" determining how the table acts on the page as a whole object - left/right/default.
  • Specify width: This sets the width of the table, either in pixels, or as a percentage of the available space in which the table finds itself (usually the web page).  100% is default.  Nonsense data (such as 400 pixel width when a picture contained in it is over 500 pixels) is ignored.
  • Borders Size/Color: Determines the appearance of the table.  Non-zero size appears like a three-dimensional picture frame. The light and dark colors giving that illusion can be selected.
  • Background: Automatic color allows the background in which the table sits to show through. All others block it out.
Cell properties can override table properties. A few of the available settings, and what they do, follow:
  • Horizontal/Vertical Alignment: This sets how text and images will appear in the cells - left/center/right/top/bottom, etc.
  • Rows/Columns Spanned: If the table is 4X4, a cell can be set to cover two columns so that that row has only three cells, one twice as large as the other two.  This effect is easier set by merging cells - click on one, hold the shift key and click on another, right-click and select "merge cells" from the menu.
  • Specify width: This sets the width of the cell, either in pixels, or as a percentage of the table. By default, the cells equally divide the table.  Again, nonsense data is ignored.
  • Borders Size/Color: Determines the appearance of the cell, without changing the table itself.
  • Background: Automatic color allows the table background to show through. All others block it out.