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RE: LIFT for creating accessible tables?

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From: Banning, Lynnette (ACF)
Date: Oct 4, 2002 9:15AM

Hello.
I have used LIFT and found it to be very useful. There is a major glitch
that can occur when repairing tables, however, using LIFT's built in tool
"Fix Wizard".

If you have a simple table that uses rowspan, the Fix Wizard incorrectly
interprets the table as a 'complex table' and assigns incorrect ids and
headers instead of just offering the solution of apply <th> tags or adding
the Scope attribute. It would be one thing if it assigned correct ids and
headers, but not only is the solution wrong, but the values are wrong. I
have had to resort to removing rowspans altogether in order to use LIFT.

Otherwise, it is a godsend..timesaver! If you have a properly coded nested
table and use LIFT correctly (after having removed all rowspans).. it
figures out the nested logic on its own and puts in all those dreaded ids
and corresponding headers for you.

Warning: LIFT isn't what you've been calling a 'magic bullet'. It is
always helpful to truly understand how to code tables first and then use
LIFT as a development tool.

I have found developer's (Usablenet) tech support very helpful on this..

Good luck!

Lynnette

Respectfully,
Lynnette Banning
Web Developer / Designer
Division of Application Development Services
ACF/HHS