Replace HTML Table with Divs

Question

Alright, I'm trying to buy into the idea that html tables should not be used, and that divs should be. However, I often have code that resembles the following

<table>     <tr>         <td>First Name:</td>         <td colspan="2"><input  id="txtFirstName"/></td>     </tr>     <tr>         <td>Last Name:</td>         <td colspan="2"><input  type="text" id="txtLastName"/></td>     </tr>     <tr>         <td>Address:</td>         <td>             <select type="text" id="ddlState">                 <option value="NY">NY</option>                 <option value="CA">CA</option>             </select>         </td>         <td>             <select type="text" id="ddlCountry">                 <option value="NY">USA</option>                 <option value="CA">CAN</option>             </select>         </td>     </tr> </table> 

I want the labels to be aligned and I want the controls to be aligned. How would I do this without using tables?

Answer 1

This ought to do the trick.

<style> div.block{   overflow:hidden; } div.block label{   width:160px;   display:block;   float:left;   text-align:left; } div.block .input{   margin-left:4px;   float:left; } </style>  <div class="block">   <label>First field</label>   <input class="input" type="text" id="txtFirstName"/> </div> <div class="block">   <label>Second field</label>   <input class="input" type="text" id="txtLastName"/> </div> 

I hope you get the concept.

Answer 2

Please be aware that although tables are discouraged as a primary means of page layout, they still have their place. Tables can and should be used when and where appropriate and until some of the more popular browsers (ahem, IE, ahem) become more standards compliant, tables are sometimes the best route to a solution.