One of the biggest frustrations for regular WordPress users is the lack of Microsoft Word functions in WordPress – especially the ability to insert tables into your content! It then leads onto the inevitable question: “Why can’t you easily insert tables into WordPress?”
Why mobile ready sites don’t like tables
The biggest issue with using tables in WordPress is this – they simply don’t translate well across the different browsers, especially when it comes to mobile devices. With so many mobile devices now in daily use, there are a growing number of browser visits being made from mobile devices. Search engines like Google have been quick to respond, by insisting that your site be mobile ready, so it pays to ensure they have a great view of your site too – and that includes limiting the use of tables.
There are plugin options available (one of which is TablePress) to help ease this problem, but personally, I’d recommend using columns instead.
Columns are the preferable choice
If you know CSS coding, you can create columns yourself, however for most of us, a plugin is the easiest and preferred choice. Most visual editors will also have column creators already built in to them however, if you don’t use a visual editor, check out the available free plugins.
Column plugins work by adding a simple icon to the existing toolbar within WordPress:
Column Shortcodes gives you 10 different column widths that can be added to both pages and posts. You simply select the column width you want, by selecting the icon on the WordPress toolbar.
WP Easy Columns allows you to create magazine layouts and grid options for your WordPress pages and posts. You have a selection of 30 variations (using percentage widths), as well as custom options when you need pixel level control.
Whatever option you use, and whether you ultimately decide to stick with tables or convert to columns, remember you want to make your site attractive to ALL visitors. This doesn’t mean your posts have to look boring though, as you can liven up your posts with columns, images and subheadings – just make sure it can easily translate to the different size browsers and portable devices.
Do you use columns in your WordPress blogs and pages or have you avoided them altogether? Have you tried the plugins mentioned above? If so, what were your experiences of them? Why not share your thoughts and opinions in the comments box below.
Image courtesy of /Dollar Photo Club