Everyone knows that you should be only using tables for semantic purposes, to markup tabular data.
I personally use ordered lists to markup form inputs.
However I have seen arguments pro using tables to markup forms, the argument being that you are inputting tabular data.
I think this is only true in very specific circumstances, where the data inputted would be naturally outputt/represented as a table. However I’m guessing this has a downside that it makes the (very useful) label tag redundant, as the table th tags should (in theory) represent the column titles.
I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I think tabular forms have their downsides, but I’d be interested in knowing what the community thinks of the pro’s and cons of using lists vs tables for inputs.
The reason I bring this up, is that the w3 specs do not offer guidance (from what I can find) on marking up forms. As far as I can tell, lists should be used mostly unless the inputted data really fits tabular data (e.g. your inputting into a Google spreadsheet).
This has the danger of turning into a battleground, so please consider before posting and perhaps it may make a good wiki page demonstrating where best to use each.
-thanks
Alex.
My rule: if it has grid-like properties and the rows and columns contain logically associated data, then it’s a table.