Comments on: Friday Focus #29

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 07 May 2007 23:54:19 +0000

inspirationbit, Sure you could make it work with 4 columns. Float each list item and give it a width of 50%. My contact form is layed out using an ordered list, obviously it’s a simple form but still, it could easily be accomplished.

By: inspirationbit

inspirationbit — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:21:56 +0000

Trevor, I like the idea of using lists to lay out the form, but would it work to layout a complex form with say 4 columns (two columns with a label and a field in each one)? Any online examples would be appreciated.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 07 May 2007 12:52:44 +0000

Instead of using divs for forms, why not use something more semantic? What is a form really except for a list of fields to fill out? Why not use an ordered list, and then have each label and field within a list item? That is how I have been laying forms out, and it is consistent across browsers.

By: inspirationbit

inspirationbit — Sun, 06 May 2007 19:50:31 +0000

I agree that it’s best to use tables for tabular data only, but sometimes all those CSS “frameworks” to get the forms displaying properly within the given template in any browser become too bulky, and it actually makes sense to use tables instead and save on a headache. I rather use tables and compromise a bit, than use IE hacks and tons of nested DIVs just to get those form elements aligned properly.

By: Dan Bowling

Dan Bowling — Sun, 06 May 2007 18:19:01 +0000

I agree… tables for tabular data, not design. There are plenty of CSS “frameworks” that you can easily adjust to get a good baseline for your forms without dealing with browser deficiencies yourself.

By: Ronald Huereca

Ronald Huereca — Sun, 06 May 2007 00:22:30 +0000

I, too, do not use tables for forms. Don’t get me wrong. I am extremely tempted every time I have to use forms, but am glad in the long run that I decided to stick with CSS and DIVs.

By: Stefan Klose

Stefan Klose — Sat, 05 May 2007 10:57:44 +0000

Visit Cascadia breaks one of the don’ts of webdesign: This site is almost about 959 KB (!). Great and innovative Design – but.. thats much too big..

By: Ranjani

Ranjani — Sat, 05 May 2007 01:29:02 +0000

I don’t know, I usually find a way to get my forms to work using divs. I haven’t used tables in a long time, but I still feel that it wouldn’t be appropriate to use them for form fields. Tables, after all should hold data and were not meant to be part of the structure of a design — or that’s what I think.