4.11 TABLES

Tabular structures were introduces with HTML 3.2 -- prior to that, authors needed to use the preformatted element <PRE> to create table-like layout. This, of course, only worked for text, and did not work for images, and did not allow for elegant page designs.

Fortunately, HTML now allows for a sophisticated set of table layout elements, most of which are supported by current browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer. These elements are discussed in the following documents:

NOTE -- . Text-only browsers, such as Lynx, can have trouble displaying complicated tables, so that if your target audience is likely to be using Lynx, then you should use simple tables. Similary, screen-reader software (the softwaer that converts text on the display into spoken words) often has trouble reading and dictating complicated tables. Thus, if you expect your audience will be using a screen reader (common with visually impaired users) you should use only the most simple table structures.
The Web site: http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc/ has some useful documents explaining how to design Web pages that are easily accessible to those using screen-reading software.