Tips for Using Microsoft FrontPage (Most of these also apply to Netscape Composer.)

FrontPage works much like a word processing program, but there are a few differences that can lead to problems. Despite some glitches, I've decided that using FrontPage (or Netscape Composer) is a quick shortcut for writing HTML pages. Of course there is something of a learning curve (all new software programs have that--but who wants to go back to writing manuscripts with pen and paper?)  Please call or write me if you need help. My email address is lindenme@umbc.edu and my office phone number is 410-455-6521. I hope you find some of these tips helpful.
Kris Lindenmeyer

1) Web Page Format: FrontPage lets you choose from a range of webpage templates if you go to "File" and then "New." However, I don't advise using anything but the  "Normal Page" template until you are very familiar with the software. This will avoid the automatic insertion of frames and other page formats that can cause problems.

2) Line Spacing: The hard carriage return (hitting the "Enter" key) while in FrontPage is set to default to double spacing (the exact opposite of most word processing programs). If you want to single space between lines, you will need to hold down the "Shift" key while hitting "Enter". Hitting the "Enter" key alone will give you double spacing and a new paragraph.

3) Spacing on the Page: The "Tab" key does not work in FrontPage and putting in spaces with the spacebar will not guarantee the location of text or images on your webpage.  In fact, the only way to make 100% sure that things will appear on the Internet as you see them when working with the FrontPage editor is by using "Tables" (the same is true if you write HTML code by hand).
My personal webpage is constructed using a table with 4 columns and 3 rows (http://www.research.umbc.edu/~lindenme). The borders for each row and column can be visible or invisible (more on that below in #6).  However using Tables is only necessary if you are making a complicated webpage with lots of images and text. If you are simply putting up text, you probably won't need a Table. 

4) Converting a Word Document to HTML: It is possible to save documents as a webpage using Microsoft Word. However, sometimes Word reformats the document in very frustrating ways. One method of avoiding reformatting when going from Word to HTML is to cut and paste the full document from Word on to a FrontPage blank page. Then save the document in HTML.

5) Font Format Choices: The best rule is to always choose the font style, color, and size. So, for example, when I began this page I went to "Format", then "Font," and then chose: "Arial", "14 pt.", and "black". This will ensure that all browsers will read the font style, size, and color that I have chosen (part of the fight between Netscape and Microsoft is to use different faults for their defaults). The most important rule to remember when it comes to formatting is never use "automatic." Always choose your font style, size, and color. When you want to change, simply go back to "Format" and make another selection. 

6) Usable Fonts: You will notice that there are a wide variety of fonts to choose from. However, some fonts look better than others when viewed on the web. Most web pages use 10 pt or 12 pt. font for standard text. The following font styles are always safe choices:

Arial
Arial Black
Courier New
Times New Roman

7) Header Font Formats: It is possible to select text format templates in FrontPage (the first window on the top of the screen--it defaults to "Normal" and also includes "Formatted", "Address", "Header 1", etc.). Instead, I recommend sticking with "Normal" and instead using the "Format", "Font" selections to change text style, size, color, boldness, etc..  

8) Background: Choose the background colors and patterns for your web pages. Be sure under "Format" to choose the background color you want. Otherwise, the browser will use the default choice, which may not be what you had in mind. In other words, never use "automatic" or "default." The simpler the background the faster it will load from the internet. Complex backgrounds take up a lot of bandwidth--and therefore take a long time to load for users (just like large images).

9) Tables: Most web pages are designed using Tables. Tables are a great tool for organizing images and text on your web pages. Once you get comfortable making simple web pages, I recommend trying to use tables. Here again, never rely on the "default" or "automatic" selections, with the exception of "width" (mentioned again below).

Inserting a table is easy. Simply go to "Table", then "Insert--Table", and choose the number of rows and columns you want.  For example, below I chose to "Insert" a table with 2 rows and 2 columns. I can leave the borders visible (by choosing at least "1" in the "Border" category under "Properties"), or invisible (by choosing "0" in the "Border" category under "Properties"). It is usually best NOT to specify width in your tables.

Tables are a great way to specify the location
of text and images on your webpage. Using
tables is not necessary unless you are going to
use text and images. Nevertheless, they can add
to the visual appeal of your web pages.		  
   

 

 

 

 

Choose the location of text and images in each cell of your Tables. For example, to alter the location of the text in the Table I created above, click on the specific "cell." Then in the menu at the top of the page go to "Table", then "Select", then "Cell." The cell you have chosen is then highlighted. Now go back to "Table", "Properties," and make your specific property  choices for the individual cell (see example below). (It is also possible to choose the properties for all cells in the table at once.)

Be sure to always "save" any changes you make to your webpage. When looking at the revised version in an Internet browser, be sure to hit the "REFRESH" or "RELOAD" button at the top of the screen or you will continue to see the original version (without your revisions).

10) If you want to see the HTML code for your webpage when editing with FrontPage, simply choose the "HTML" tab at the bottom of the screen. You can always edit the HTML by inserting code the old fashioned way,  but most people will probably rely on FrontPage to do the work for them in the "Normal" mode. You can also edit the HTML using Notepad or some other simple text program.

11) Opening a new target window. There is an option in FrontPage that allows you to open a new target window when creating a web link. Highlight the text you wish to hotlink, in the "Insert Hyperlink" window, choose "Target Frame" and then "New Window."