TABLES were probably the most significant addition to the HTML3 standard. Tables give HTML authors much greater control over the display and layout of their pages. Typically, you would use tables to display any type of data that looks best in rows and columns. A good rule of thumb is if it looks good as a spreadsheet, then it belongs in a table.

Tables aren't just for numerical data. They can be used to creatively solve a number of challenges with presenting information in HTML. Tables can be used to enhance a number of existing HTML elements, such as lists and forms. You can even use tables to gain precision control over the layout of your HTML document.

Of course, there's always a catch. Tables are notoriously difficult and tedious to create in HTML. And because the specifications for HTML3 are still not final, some of the formatting details for tables are subject to change.