7.2 Basics of HTML Tables, and Why Not to Use Them

After watching the LinkedIn Learning video series on HTML Tables, I have to admit, I was a little confused. HTML tables are incredibly useful tool. Mainly, they make large amounts of data easy to read and understand. They can be categorized, color coordinated, used to break up large strings of text, and overall just make whatever you are doing look much more professional. An article written by Adam Wood on HTML.com does an excellent job on how HTML tables are made and why you shouldn’t really on them.

The article opens up by explaining the basic elements that are going to be used and providing basic sample code.

The end of the article takes a different approach and talks about how bad tables can be. The article gives an example of a “complex table” and explains how this design pattern is considered bad for the user experience, bad for SEO, and even bad for the developers who run the site

The article does an excellent job explaining the basics of HTML Tables, and while fine for beginner programmers, bloggers, it probably isn’t something you should be doing as you get more experienced.

Direct link the the article: https://html.com/tables/

This chapter is a revised version of a blog post titled “Basics of HTML Tables, and why not use them” on Edward’s Publishing Page.