<Form> Tags and Netscape

Why is there a blank line??

[txbakers]

I've noticed that in Netscape a blank line is inserted near the </form> tag. When I move the form around, the blank line moves around as well.

What's up with this? And How can I avoid it???

Thanks.

[txbakers]

My own question answered.

If the form is just under the table tag, it leaves a blank line. When I put the form tag just before an inner table, it hides the line.

I also suspect that my form tags weren't aligned and IE just ignored it.

It would be nice if there was a "delete post" button for when I post a question that I shouldn't have......

[justa]

It's always good to see answers to other questions posted, even if you do it yourself.

I might never run into the problem, but then again it might crop up tomorrow. At least there will be an answer somewhere.

[IanKelley]

Another way to get around the break before and after forms is to use CSS to set the top and bottom margins to 0px

[seriesint]

I'm usually after the compact side of the equation and have the form inside a div with a css tag of display:inline; for the form. Guess it's cause I'm too lazy to type padding: 0; margin: 0; :)

[joshie76]

If you're not nesting tables and want to avoid the extra line problem you can put the form tags between the TR and TABLE tags as so...

<table>
<form>
<tr>
... table cells contaning form ...
</tr>
</form>
</table>

This avoids using any CSS at all.

[Xoc]

I don't think that validates.

[netcommr]

XOC, your right, but it works.

I tend to go this route though.

<table><tr>
<td width=1><form></td>
<td width="100%">content</td>
<td width=1></form></td>
</tr></table>

-------------
IE puts a line break at the beginning of the form and NS puts one at the end. Do ya think they worked together to mess with heads??
-------------

IanKelley, watch your usage of 'margin-bottom', many browsers have trouble with it. (Opera,pre-NS6)

[joshie76]

Xoc, do you think of anything else?

I imagine you panicking and flapping your hands in disgust at the sight of non-validating code; like Drew Barrymore in ET:). No offence, it's good that someone's fighting the corner for a better web.

You are of course correct, but it works in every browser I've tried (whereas a lot of the CSS fixes don't).

[tedster]

>> non-validating code...You are of course correct, but it works in every browser I've tried

The big deal for me about validating code is that search engine spiders are a kind of browser -- and we can't test for them!

[Marshall]

You can use:
<table>
<tr>
<td>
<form>
<table>
<tr>
<td>
Form Information
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>
</td>
</tr>
</table>

This prevents the space and it validates.

[txbakers]

The best way I've discovered to deal with the line was to put the form within the <td> tag, however, in order to set up multiple tables within a form, that becomes tricky.

<table>
<tr><td>
<form>
<table>
<tr><td></td></tr>
</table>
<table>
<tr><td></td></tr>
</table>
</form>
</td></tr>
</table>

This allows the user to enter one column of the form with a tab downward instead of across.

it's a nicety.

[Brett_Tabke]

Joshie, tedster has the answer there with spiders and validating code. There is also the old issue that many browsers will have a difficult time with non-validating table code. The age-old Netscape 4 disappearing content syndrome comes to mind (just one missed close tag on a table can leave your page invisible under netscape 4).

That all said, did you know that closing tags </tr>'s are actually optional?

HTML 3.2:

The TR or table row element requires a start tag, but the
end tag can always be left out.

[Xoc]

I wouldn't risk leaving off </tr>. I'll bet it breaks half the web spiders and most of the more obscure web browsers. Just because it's in the spec doesn't mean that the spider conforms.

[txbakers]

After my debacle with Netscape I wouldn't recommend leaving off any tags for any reason, and be sure that all your spaces are accounted for.

I noticed also that in Netscape this is valid:
<img width="100"> but this is not:
<img width = " 100 "> Those extra spaces aren't appreciated.......