Page layout using tables or columns

Request Type: 
General Assistance
Forums: 
Content Types and Views
Author: 
dkb27
Issue/Request: 

Hi, 

I have a question regarding the layout on http://dev.breslowlab.yale.edu/research.  I’d like to have full-width text at the top of the page, then a bit of empty vertical space, then four topics, each described with left-right pairs of images and text.  So far I have used tables to get the basic arrangement I want, but I’d like to remove the lines/borders around the tables and to have each region of text vertically centered relative to the adjacent picture.  However, it seems that whenever I change these properties in the table/cell settings, everything reverts back once I save the page.  Is there a way to fix these settings for the tables or to use a different approach to achieve the overall layout I want?

Thanks,

David

Carris Toupin on November 17, 2016:

Hi, David:

Thank you for your inquiry on the use of tables on your YaleSites website. Yale ITS and the Office of General Council do not recommend the use of tables on YaleSites. Unfortunately, tables are neither responsive on mobile screens nor accessible by a screen reader for individuals with disabilities. This is especially true for tables that contain pictures. As the importance and reach of the web increases exponentially, Yale has made the commitment to be at the forefront of making the content on YaleSites responsive and accessible to all people and all devices.
 
We would like to work with you to find an alternate solution to present your content without a table. Please let us know if you would like to explore these alternative solutions.

Best regards,

Carris

dkb27 on November 17, 2016:

Hi Carris,

Thank you for the advice regarding tables. I’d be happy to consider alternate ways to achieve the overall layout that I currently have set up using tables on http://dev.breslowlab.yale.edu/research.  I also have a couple tables on  http://dev.breslowlab.yale.edu/contact that maybe could be better accomplished using means to control the layout.  Please let me know what you think would be good alternatives to consider.

Best,

David

Carris Toupin on December 5, 2016:

Hi, David:

Take a look at this people type page and let me know what you think:  http://elimelechlab.yale.edu/people. As far as the research page goes, maybe we should have a quick chat via the phone or we could meet up for Office hours and discuss your needs on this page. Let me know what works best for you.

Best regards,

Carris

Carris Toupin on March 6, 2017:

Hi David,

Just touching base with you to check on some of the things that you asked me about on your site. 

1.  As far as the research page, it appears that you used an image to get the spacing you wanted without the table. The issues I see with this is that it is not accessible nor is it responsive.

In order to go over the possibilities for restyling this page, I would prefer to meet with you or have a phone conversation with you. Please let me know your availability.

2. On the Contact page, I changed the width of the tables to 100% so that they will be responsive. I think that this should work for you. Let me know if you like it.

Best regards,

Carris

Carris Toupin on March 17, 2017:

Hi David,

Just checking back with you to see if you still want to pursue some styling changes on your site. If not, I will consider this posting resolved.

Best regards,

Carris