Help:Wiki University Wikitext--Tables - Column Spans

Spanning columns in tables

 * When we create tables, sometimes we want a cell to cover more than one column like in the following example:
 * NOTICE the first row consists of two cells, each spanning two cells of the following row.

How to span columns

 * If we want to span two columns, for example, we use a class called "colspan" like so:
 * colspan="2"


 * This coding is inserted right after the pipe or explanation marks like so:
 * | colspan="2" style="width:50%; ......." | Foods that have a .......

Here is the coding for the first three rows of the above table:
 * NOTICE again the location of the class "colspan."
 * NOTICE that the new row only has two cells, but each cell has a "colspan" in it. The two colspans cover the four cells in the next row.

Columns have to add up

 * Make sure that the columns you span add up to the total number of cells in the next row.
 * If you span a total of four columns or cells, you must have two colspan="2" in the preceding row otherwise you will get how knows what!

Restrictions

 * You cannot create sortable tables with colspans.

Let's see if you got it
 Exercises Check your answers >
 * Take our Lorem ipsum paragraph and place three made up references on it: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Donec sit amet iaculis metus. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Fusce elementum efficitur faucibus. Curabitur eleifend quis ligula ac ullamcorper. Curabitur eget suscipit turpis.
 * Place the references at the bottom of this paragraph.

 Quick Quiz
 * Colspans must equal the number of cells in the next row.
 * A. True
 * B. False


 * If you have a row with four cells you can have in the preceding row one cell with a colspan=3 plus the remaining cell.
 * A. True
 * B. False


 * If you have a row of seven cells you can have in the preceding row one cell with a colspan=2, the next cell with a colspan=3 and the remaining cell with a colspan=2.
 * A. True
 * B. False

Check your answers >