[Web4lib] outputting a pre formatted list from a database to a web page

[John Fitzgibbon]

Hi,

I have a list which forms part of a description. The description is in a
field in an Access database. This field is outputted to a number of web
pages; the database serves as a back end to a number of web pages.

In one of the fields, I now need to add a list consisting of two
columns. I will have to store the HTML tags with the list in the Access
field. However, I don't want to use the div, or table element because
frequently, the field is output to a web page where it is enclosed by
span tags. Block elements are not allowed within inline elements such as
span.

My plan is to store it in Access along with the <pre> tag and, thus,
output it using the <pre> tag having each column separated by a tab. The
problem with this is that the data in column one is sometimes quite long
forcing the data in column two further right like so.

<pre>
Inns or Hotels	1.
Public Houses	31.
Mail Coach Offices	2.
Dispensary	1. 
Trades - townland Callings -	
Surgeons	2.
Apothecaries	2.
Wine and Spirit Merchants	3.
Grocers and Wine Merchants	3.
Spirit Merchants, Grocers and Ironmongers	4.
Tobacco Manufacturers	1.
</pre>

I wish to line up the data in column two. Is there any character other
than a tab that I can use? 

Is using the pre element within an inline element allowed?

Any ideas would be welcome.

Regards
John

John Fitzgibbon

p: 00 353 91 562471
f: 00 353 91 565039
w: http://www.galwaylibrary.ie 

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