Layout tables in Dreamweaver

Fixed column widths don't fix

[McNeelix]

I'm working in Dreamweaver 4 and trying to build a fairly simple layout table. My aim is to have 4 columns of equal, fixed width, with varying amounts of text wrapped in them.

However every time I try to fix a layout cell width, it automatically fixes itself to something else and I can't get it lie still for a moment!

Can anybody enlighten me as to what I need to do for this to be a simple operation please? I can't believe it needs to be as lengthy and frustrating a process as I'm experiencing.

Thanks...

[storevalley]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld McNeelix ...

Could be something to do with the overall width of the table. It helps if table width tallies with the widths of its cells.

[McNeelix]

Thanks for the welcome storevalley.

Well making the sum of the cell widths equal to the width of the table is precisely what I'm trying to do, but it keeps jumping to other values and thwarting my attempts.

[limbo]

How many rows do you have?

make sure you select all the cells in a column and fix all the widths to the same No.

Fix the width of the entire table to so your coulumns do not over-run or undercut the total width.

If the problem still exists it could be that data in one of the cells is simply too large for the cell width therefore over-riding it?

Ta

Limbo

<Added>

Welcome to Webmasterworld [webmasterworld.com] :)

[edited by: limbo at 3:30 pm (utc) on Oct. 3, 2003]

[storevalley]

Try this ...

1. Make the table width whatever you want it to be
2. Make each column width 25%

Note that if a column contains an element wider than 25% of the table width, this will upset your layout.

[storevalley]

Limbo obviously types a little quicker than I do :)

[McNeelix]

Thanks ... all really sensible suggestions and, unfortunately, all things I've already tried.

I think it must just be bewitched. Er can you tell I'm in the middle of a Harry Potter book too?!

[limbo]

If you want us to have a look try pasting the HTML (try to keep it clean from links and content specifics) . Or describe the problem in more detail. Tables can be a little tiresome especially in DW4 (are you using table layout or standard view?) but there is always a fix.

[storevalley]

I think it must just be bewitched

Much more polite than some of the things I call DW4 :)

[curlykarl]

Why not use Layers?

I found this thread handy

[webmasterworld.com...]

See message 2 by 4eyes.

Karl :)