Lesson 17

Reading Tables with Colspan

We've been learning how to write tables. Now let's learn how to read tables. These table-reading exercies will show you how to analyse any table that you may see, but it will also improve your ability to translate a layout that you have in mind into table code.

We "read" a table like we read a book, from left to right, top to bottom. Start with the upper left corner where the table begins with the first cell in the first row. Look for each cell as you go from left to right, then move down to the next row. Repeat until you get to the end of the table. You should be able to "see" the columns and rows, even when colspan or rowspan are used. Ready? Here we go.

Look at the table below. It uses colspan.

How many columns do you see?
How many rows do you see?
How many cells do you see?
How would you build this table using colspan?
How would you build this table using nested tables?

Top
Left	Middle	Right
Bottom

Homework Assignment

• Duplicate the table structure above using colspan
• Dress it up any way you like
• Post your table
• Show your work