Defining how HTML tables are exported

Slicing defines how the HTML table structure appears when a Fireworks document is exported for use on the web.

When you export a sliced Fireworks document to HTML, your document is reassembled using an HTML table. Each sliced element from the Fireworks document resides in a table cell. Once exported, a Fireworks slice translates to a table cell in HTML.

You can specify how a Fireworks table is reconstructed in a browser. Among other options, you can choose whether to use spacers or nested tables when exporting to HTML:

• Spacers are images that help table cells align properly when viewed in a browser.
• A nested table is a table within a table. Nested tables do not use spacers. They may load more slowly in browsers, but because there are no spacers, it is easier to edit their HTML.

For more information about HTML, see Exporting HTML.

To define how Fireworks exports HTML tables:

1. Select File > HTML Setup, or click the Options button in the Export dialog box.
2. Click the Table tab.
3. Select a spacing option from the Space With pop-up menu:

   Nested Tables -- No Spacers creates a nested table with no spacers.

   Single Table -- No Spacers creates a single table with no spacers. This option can cause tables to be displayed incorrectly in some cases.

   1-Pixel Transparent Spacer uses a 1-pixel-by-1-pixel transparent GIF as a spacer that is resized as needed in the HTML. This generates a 1-pixel-high row across the top of the table and a 1-pixel-wide column down the right side.

4. Select a cell color for HTML slices:
   • To give cells the same background color as the document canvas, select Use Canvas Color.
   • To select a different color, deselect Use Canvas Color and select a color from the color pop-up window.

   NOTE

   If you select a color from the color pop-up window, it applies only to HTML slices; image slices continue to use the canvas color.

5. Select what to place in empty cells from the Contents pop-up menu:

   None causes empty cells to remain blank.

   Spacer Image places a small transparent image called spacer.gif in empty cells.

   Non-breaking Space places an HTML space tag in empty cells. The cell appears hollow.

   NOTE

   Empty cells occur only if you deselect Include Areas Without Slices in the Export dialog box during export.

6. Click OK.

   For more information about specifying HTML export options, see Setting HTML export options.

   NOTE

   You can specify unique table export settings for sliced objects for each document. Or you can use the Set Defaults button on the Document Specific tab of the HTML Setup dialog box to apply defaults for all new documents.