Web Design in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition

Responsible Layout Tables

You’ve surely heard (throughout this book and elsewhere) that table-based layout has been replaced by CSS for positioning elements on the page. However, during this time of transition, as browser developers work out the kinks in CSS support, some authors still choose to use tables to establish the basic grid of the page. It is possible to rely on a table for layout, but be in line with the current trends of standards compliance and accessibility in contemporary web design.

Layout tables are not inherently evil (or even inaccessible), as long as they are handled the right way. This section recommends ways to use layout tables that do the least harm.