Don't Understand Error message

[paulp575]

Trying to validate this file: http://dog-walker.org/2007-RubiBldSht.htm and getting an error message (actually several) about columns.
Not sure what the error message "Table column 4 established by this <th> element has no cells beginning in it.".
If you validate the file you'll see several of these errors (have not previously seen this error message; the file has validated without errors before).
No matter what I change the number to it doesn't make sense.
Help!

[Albert Wiersch]

Hello,

Let's say you have:

Code: Select all

<tr><th colspan="4">My 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Build Sheet</th></tr>

Then that (the <th> element specifically) covers/creates/establishes 4 columns (due to colspan="4"), but if the table actually only has 3 columns then you will see an error like this:
Table column 4 established by this <th> element has no cells beginning in it.

So you probably want to change colspan="4" to colspan="3".

Basically it is trying to check to make sure each table row <tr> element has the same number of columns, and if there is a discrepancy in the number of columns a row has then it should alert you with a validator message.

[paulp575]

I guess I'll just have to leave it that way because no matter what I change ANY of the colspan entries to it just creates more errors!
It's like chasing an error that won't go away.

[Albert Wiersch]

I guess I'll just have to leave it that way because no matter what I change ANY of the colspan entries to it just creates more errors!
It's like chasing an error that won't go away.

I understand. It may not be the "colspan" attribute that is a problem, it could something else. It depends on the entire/overall table structure and how many columns are in each table row. I can understand how the problem(s) might not be "fun" to track down, but if you do try to find the problem(s), then look for a validator message that starts with 'This table doesn't appear to have the same number of columns...' that may help you find the problematic table rows more easily. There may be other validator messages that can assist locating the specific problem(s) as well.