MHM Tutorial: Backgrounds (Tables & Layers)

Background Codes Provided & How to use them!

Copyright 2005 Managers Helping Managers, do not share / copy this tutorial.

Please link back to MHM using one of our Banners or Proud Member Badges if you use any of these codes. If you need help anytime, just ask on the General Board.  *<these links will be updated to new group asap

Looking for Background Codes for your pages?  Here are codes for up to 4 layers, and instructions on how to add them to your group. You may wish to have another window open with the page you are working on, and this one, so that you can switch back and forth as needed.  You can also print this page out if you'd like.

Let's begin! =)

Quick reference:  press CTRL + C  to COPY  &  CTRL + V to PASTE

What is a background?  A background is an image used to decorate the background of a webpage.  Backgrounds are also known as layers and are actually tables, sometimes nested (stacked).  When you create a table, the image you use for the background is a 'layer'. You can nest (stack) many of these on top of eachother to create interesting backgrounds. Don't overdo it though!  1 to 4 layers (backgrounds) are usually enough. 

How do I add a background to a page in my group? First upload the backgrounds you want to use into your group's Pictures section. Be sure to choose a smooth, soft background for the innermost table/layer/background, so that your text will be readable.  Use busy/animated backgrounds for the outer tables/layers/backgrounds.

Instructions:

Open a page in your group and click Edit This Page, or start a new page.
(to start a new page, click on Manager Tools > Add a page > A Custom WebPage)

Copy the code you wish to use depending on how many layers you want.  (CTRL + C to copy)

Check the box that says: "Use HTML to create your page" Paste the code into the page. (CTRL + V to paste)

Add the URL's of the background(s) you have uploaded to your group, into the spaces provided.  You'll see them in the code as "background1" etc. Don't remove the "" quotation marks. Your URLs go between those "like this"

Uncheck the "Use HTML" box and you should now see your table, complete with your chosen background!  Now you can finish your page.

If you need any help with this, feel free to ask on the General Board.

Once you do a couple of these, you'll see how fast and easy they are, and how fun it can be to create beautiful pages! Good luck!!

This is the code for a simple table, with 1 background (1 table/layer)

<TABLE CELLPADDING=5 width="100%" BACKGROUND="URLtoyourbackgroundimagehere">
<Tbody>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
Page Content Goes Here.
</CENTER>
</TD></TR>
</Tbody></Table>

 

This is the code for a simple table, with 2 backgrounds
(2 layers/tables nested) 

 

<TABLE CELLPADDING=15 width="100%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground1">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
<BR>
<TABLE cellSpacing=5 width="95%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground2">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
Page Content Goes Here.
</CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><br>
</CENTER>
</TD></TR>
</TBODY></TABLE>

 

This is the code for a simple table, with 3 backgrounds
(3 layers/tables nested)

 

<TABLE width="100%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground1">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER><BR><BR>
<TABLE width="90%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground2">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER><BR>
<TABLE width="95%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground3">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
Page Content goes here.
</CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
</CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><BR></CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

This is the code for a simple table, with FOUR backgrounds (4 layers/tables nested)

 

<TABLE width="100%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground1">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
<BR><BR>
<TABLE CELLPADDING=4 width="88%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground2">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width="100%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground3">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
<BR>
<TABLE CELLPADDING=3 width="94%" BACKGROUND="urltobackground4">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD>
<CENTER>
Page Content goes here
</CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><p>
</CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><p></CENTER>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Once you have your background (table) in place, be sure to UNcheck the "Use HTML to create your page" and then you can add your text and other images.  Be sure to save often!  Remember,  if you goof up, here's a tip! Just press the CTRL and Z buttons on your keyboard at the same time, and that will UNDO what you just did! You can press those more than once to go back a few 'steps' in what you were working on.  Have fun!!  Remember, MHM is here if you get stuck or have questions.  Don't be afraid to ask for help. 

You may print this Tutorial for reference, but it may not be copied or shared without express permission from the manager of MHM: DebMomX3.  Thanks!  

 Copyright © 2004 / 2005 Managers Helping Manager,  you must link back to MHM in order to use these codes.