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NWE Help: Web: Authoring: HTML: Frames: Introduction

NWE Home :: Help :: Web :: Authoring :: HTML :: Frames

What are frames?

Frames are a way of displaying more than one web page in a single browser window. Frames allow you break the browser window up into smaller windows, each of which displays a separate web page. You can also hyperlink between frames, making it appear as though just part of the web page is changing.

If you don't know what frames are, check out our examples pages to see how they work. This should give you a little idea about how your frames can look.

What can I use frames for?
Example of web page using nav bar
Frames used to create a Nav bar
Click for full size

Navigation Bar
The use of frames to create a navigation bar is probably the most common application of frames on the web (as shown). In essence, using frames this way allows you to create just one navigation page that all your subsequent pages can include.

Juxtaposition
Some people use frames to create aesthetic or artistic juxtaposition on their pages. This might prove to be the more applicable use of frames for NWE projects.

Frames can create a nice, distinctive look for your pages, but they take a bit more maintenence than pages meant to be displayed by themselves.

What are some disadvantages to using frames?

Bookmarks
The biggest disadvantage of using frames is that they prevent users from bookmarking. Frames prevent bookmarking because the user's URL does not change when they click links. Try it: go to our examples and click a few links. Notice that the URL at the top only changes when you switch framesets.

Targets
Another big disadvantage of using frames is that they can be difficult to control. If you make a mistake with your target attribute, your frame may pop open another window, it may put the linked page in the wrong window, or it may fail altogether.

Given these disadvantages, you should consider your site design carefully, and weigh the benefits of using frames. If you decide to use frames, you should test your links carefully and thoroughly. Failing to do so can lead to nasty surprises.