Comparing layout options: Tables vs Lists for user registration forms

I need to create a user registration form with a classic two-column layout, where labels are on the left and fields are on the right. The labels can be displayed in either English or French, resulting in varying label lengths.

When it comes to structuring the HTML, I'm torn between:

<form ...>
<ul>
<li>
  <label ...>...</label>
  <input ... />
</li>
</ul>
</form>

or

<form ...>
<table>
<tr>
  <td><label ...>...</label></td>
  <td><input ... /></td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>

Personally, I lean towards using a table layout because it's easier for me to align labels and fields vertically, especially with varying label lengths.

However, there's been a trend over the years to replace tables with divs and lists to avoid excessive table use for layout. While I appreciate good overall layout organization, I wonder if this also applies to user registration forms.

What are your thoughts on the pros and cons of each approach?

Answer №1

Instead of getting caught up in debates like "tables vs divs", I've decided to go with tables for simplicity, compatibility, and maintainability. They also offer good internationalization support, especially for variable length labels that require variable left column width.

This doesn't mean I'll use tables for everything in layout, but for this particular registration form, tables are the way to go.

Check out these resources:

  • <table> for layouts is evil right?
  • Should Tables be avoided in HTML at any cost?

Feel free to explore the links provided in my comments to understand when it's appropriate to use tables versus other methods.

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