multi-column html form

[Ed]

Does anyone know of a way to create a complex multi column form (like
the ones that can be created in programs like MS-Access)? This is for a
secure WAN where all users will be using MS Internet Explorer.

[Adrienne]

Gazing into my crystal ball I observed "Ed" <sk********@excite.com>
writing in news:11**********************@g49g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com:

Does anyone know of a way to create a complex multi column form (like
the ones that can be created in programs like MS-Access)? This is for a
secure WAN where all users will be using MS Internet Explorer.

First, let me say that forms should not be complex, whether they be on a
secure WAN, on the WWW, or plain paper. Most people don't like filling
out forms, and the more complex they are, the more prone to errors.

To create a form in HTML is simply a matter of using the correct markup
and using CSS to style the form elements, eg:
<form method="method" action="action">
<div>
<label for="name">Name : </label> <input type="text" name="name"
id="name" value="value">
</div>
</form>

Jukka Korpela has more information on forms: <http://www.cs.tut.fi/
~jkorpela/forms/index.html> and check the specs:
<http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/interact/forms.html>

Forms should always be validated server side, and that would be off topic
here. You need to post in a group for your particular server side
language.

Preliminary validation can be done client side (if the user has client
side scripting enabled), but again, that is not a topic for this group,
you should post to a javascript group for that.

--
Adrienne Boswell
http://www.cavalcade-of-coding.info
Please respond to the group so others can share

[Dan]

Ed wrote:

Does anyone know of a way to create a complex multi column form (like
the ones that can be created in programs like MS-Access)? This is for a
secure WAN where all users will be using MS Internet Explorer.

Well, hopefully they'll eventually wise up and switch to a better
browser, like Mozilla. If you use standards-compliant, platform and
browser neutral authoring, that shouldn't be a problem.

There are plenty of ways to do "complex multi-column forms", including
old-school methods using the TABLE element, and newer techniques making
use of stylesheets and DIV elements. Learning HTML would be a good
first step.

--
Dan

[Ed]

Thank you for your replies.
As for the complexity of the forms and the browser of choice - these
are requirements of the client and as such not open for discussion.

Your sarcasm aside, thanks again.

[Andy Dingley]

On 18 Jul 2005 07:42:32 -0700, "Ed" <sk********@excite.com> wrote:

Does anyone know of a way to create a complex multi column form

_Really_ complex ?

Use AJAX