Layout your forms using CSS instead of tables

I am a fan of using CSS for layout and presentation of web pages – but I do still have a few ‘blind spots’ when it comes to putting my good intentions into practice. For example, with particularly complex forms I still tend to use tables when creating the form layout.

I was alerted to this tip by Tavis Reddick, the Webmaster at Fife College. While communicating about another forms related issue, he pointed me to a useful article about using CSS to layout forms (scroll down the page to find the part about forms layout).

I won’t reproduce the example code here – because it is not the simplest technique I have come across – and I couldn’t figure out a way to simplify it for ‘tip size’ consumption. However, I thought it was worth highlighting this example, as it demonstrates that CSS is flexible enough to be used for tasks beyond the simple two or three column page layout.

Take my Web Accessibility Online Training Course - WCAG 2.1 Compliance

Learn to design and manage WCAG compliant, accessible websites with my online course

You will learn both the techniques of accessible website design and an entire ‘framework for thinking about the subject’. It will equip you with the skills to understand, identify and fix issues any accessibility issues you come across. Watch the free videos to get a taste of what is on the course.