HTML Table Spanning Rows

HTML tables allow for spanning rows to merge cells vertically across multiple rows.
Spanning rows is useful for creating header groups, indicating subcategories, or merging cells with similar content.
The rowspan attribute is used to specify the number of rows a cell should span.
Let's explore various scenarios and examples of spanning rows in HTML tables.

1. Basic Spanning Rows:

Spanning rows involves merging cells vertically. Here's a basic example:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th rowspan="2">Header 1</th>
    <th>Header 2</th>
    <th>Header 3</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Data 1</td>
    <td>Data 2</td>
  </tr>
</table>

2. Spanning Rows with Data:

Spanning rows can be combined with actual data cells:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th rowspan="2">Header 1</th>
    <th>Header 2</th>
    <th>Header 3</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Data 1</td>
    <td>Data 2</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td colspan="3">Single cell spanning all columns</td>
  </tr>
</table>

3. Spanning Rows with Empty Cells:

Spanning rows can have empty cells in the rows they span:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th rowspan="2">Header 1</th>
    <th>Header 2</th>
    <th>Header 3</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td></td>
    <td>Data 2</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td colspan="3">Single cell spanning all columns</td>
  </tr>
</table>

4. Styling Spanning Rows:

You can apply CSS styles to spanning rows to customize their appearance:

td[rowspan] {
  background-color: #f2f2f2;
}

5. Use Cases:

Spanning rows are useful for creating header groups or subcategories in a table.
They can be used to merge cells with similar content, reducing redundancy in the table.
Spanning rows facilitate clearer presentation of data, especially in complex tables with hierarchical structures.
They enhance the visual organization and readability of tables, improving the user experience.

Conclusion:

Spanning rows in HTML tables provide a powerful mechanism for organizing and presenting tabular data. By utilizing the rowspan attribute effectively, you can create tables that are both informative and visually appealing.

Experiment with different spanning row configurations and styling options to enhance the structure and presentation of your tables. With practice, you'll become proficient in leveraging spanning rows to create well-structured and user-friendly tables.

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