How do you layout using CSS instead of tables?

Please give me some advice

[koocw]

How is layout done using CSS? I don't seem to see how CSS properties can help layout.

[jbinbpt]

Hi koocw,
Welcome to Webmasterworld.

A good place to start is with this thread by Nick_W CSS Crash Course [webmasterworld.com]

The library in the CSS forum also will provide good direction.

jb

[paybacksa]

my perspective:

Part A:

1. put content inside a <div></div>
2. Name the <div> so you can identify it.
3. In the CSS, assign style to the named <div>
4. In the CSS, assign "position" aspects to the named <div>

Viola. The content (inside that named <div> will assume the style assigned by the CSS, and be placed within the window or holding block according to the positon attributes.

That's all there is to it! Now for Part B:
<cynicism on>
1. Look at the crazy mess you have on screen, with shifted, overlapping, cropped, oddly-formatted content semingly randomly placed all over the window, and detail-by-detail figure out exactly which parts of your CSS are not working as they should, in each different browser/version/etc... and very very slowly approach your desired visual design.. asymptically at best <cynicism off>

[koocw]

Thanks for the advice!

[grahamstewart]

<optimism on>
Cherish your clean, neat and easy to maintain code. Marvel at how much your text-to-code ratio has improved. Wonder at your new search engine rankings. Savour your ability to supply print stylesheets and display your site on a PDA. Gasp at your ability to change the entire site layout from one file.
</optimism off>

;)