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How do you add color to a row in HTML?

Published in HTML Styling 2 mins read

You can add color to a row in HTML by using the bgcolor attribute within the <tr> tag, or by using CSS. CSS is the recommended approach. Here's how:

Method 1: Using the bgcolor Attribute (HTML - Deprecated)

While functional, using the bgcolor attribute directly within HTML is considered outdated. CSS is the preferred method for styling.

<tr bgcolor="lightblue">
  <td>Data 1</td>
  <td>Data 2</td>
</tr>

In this example, the entire row will have a light blue background. You can use color names (like "lightblue"), hexadecimal color codes (like "#ADD8E6"), or RGB values (like "rgb(173,216,230)").

Why this is discouraged: Mixing content (HTML) with presentation (styling) makes the code harder to maintain and update.

Method 2: Using CSS (Recommended)

This is the recommended approach for styling your HTML elements. You can use either inline styles, internal styles (within the <head> section), or external stylesheets. External stylesheets are the most maintainable approach for larger projects.

1. Inline Styles

<tr style="background-color: lightblue;">
  <td>Data 1</td>
  <td>Data 2</td>
</tr>

Here, the style attribute is used to directly apply the background color to the row.

2. Internal Styles (within <head>)

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
tr.colored-row {
  background-color: lightblue;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
  <table>
    <tr class="colored-row">
      <td>Data 1</td>
      <td>Data 2</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</body>
</html>

In this example, a CSS class named "colored-row" is defined, and then applied to the <tr> tag using the class attribute.

3. External Stylesheet (Recommended for larger projects)

  1. Create a CSS file (e.g., styles.css):

    tr.colored-row {
  background-color: lightblue;
}

  2. Link the stylesheet to your HTML file:

    <!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
</head>
<body>
  <table>
    <tr class="colored-row">
      <td>Data 1</td>
      <td>Data 2</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
</body>
</html>

    This is the cleanest and most maintainable method. You define the styles in a separate file, and then link that file to your HTML document.

Choosing the Right Method:

  • For quick, one-off changes, inline styles might be acceptable.
  • For styling a single page, internal styles can be used.
  • For larger websites and projects, external stylesheets are highly recommended for better organization and maintainability. You can change the look and feel of your entire website by modifying just one CSS file.

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