Switching Between Table Modes

This tutorial illustrates switching between table modes in Dreamweaver CS5.

Dreamweaver offers two ways - called modes - for working with tables. They are Standard Mode and Expanded Tables Mode. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and in this section we're going to look briefly at both, and how to switch between them.

Here is a simple table containing a small amount of text.

Now click on the View menu and hover over Table Mode. A fly-out appears, and shows that Standard Mode is selected.

Standard Mode is best for the initial creation of a table, and for showing how a table will look in a browser. It is also usually good for adding and editing content.

Standard Mode is the default table mode in Dreamweaver,

Now click on View again, then Table Mode and select Expanded Tables Mode from the fly-out.

Note this warning.

This tells you that in Expanded Tables Mode you will not see a true representation of how a table will look in a browser. Note the check box, which you can use to suppress this warning in future.

So, why use Expanded Tables Mode? The reason is that in this mode you will find it easier to edit some data, particularly where you have issues such as a graphic in a table where it's difficult to position the cursor next to it. As you'll see, there are times when editing in Standard Mode can prove tricky. In those situations, Expanded Tables Mode can help.

However, and as the warning message says, you should always switch back to Standard Mode to see what your table will actually look like.

So, click OK on the warning message and you see the table in Expanded Tables Mode.

You can see the additional spacing in each cell, and we'll see how to make use of that later.

To switch back to Standard Mode, use the Table Mode fly-out on the View menu again, or click on Exit in the Expanded Tables mode bar at the top of the document window.

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