Tables or pure CSS for lists?

[RobC]

Hi,

I'm quite new to MadCap. I've had to import some WinHelp projects through RoboHelp to get them into MadCap Flare. Most of the formatting isn't an issue, but of course I'm facing some issues with what were previously tabs. Things that were previously in a description list or definition list (two columns of text) now have only a space or two between them. I want the columns of text to be aligned. What's the best way to handle this? Should I create tables for these lists or stick with pure CSS? If so, which CSS feature would allow me to create such a list. Also, if tables are the way to go, I've tried to implement a table. The only problem I faced was that I was unable to make the 1st column width smaller than 237px eventhough the text inside comes nowhere close to that size. Any clues?

Thanks a lot,

Rob

[lacastle]

If you want columns of text, a table would probably be easier. If you need to learn CSS, you can find lots of tutorials online (more than can be explained here).

As for the column width, make sure you toggle the Show Table Columns button (at the bottom of the topic editor) so you can see the widths of the columns. then you can right-click on a column in the Table Columns header and choose a width or choose to reset the width to Auto. For my tables, i have created a table style that has them at 100%, and each column at Auto. This way, my tables will always fit on my screen or PDF page without having to be adjusted twice.

here is the Flare help about tables - http://webhelp.madcapsoftware.com/flare ... Tables.htm

[RobC]

Hi Laura,

Thanks for the info. I'll stick with tables then unless someone else has a good argument why I should avoid them Ok, so I do have the "Show Table Columns" option enabled and I've been playing with that to try and reduce the width of the first column. However, no matter which option I try for setting up the table under Table Properties, such as AutoFit options, etc... I can't get the width of the first column below 237px. See the picture below. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the Stylesheet that I need to edit. Maybe something that's buffering the text length to twice its length. Anyone?

MadCap Flare Table.jpg

[Craig.Prichard]

Rob, did you ever get your first column width problem resolved? If so, how? Thank you.