i think i understand what you're trying to achieve...in essence, snugged up buttons/text, so that: button/text | longer button/text ------------------------------------ longer button/text | button/textis the result.since this is for personal consumption, i suppose there's no problem with trying to achieve it but i have no idea as to how you might without using containers or, in a table, colspan.but i must say that from the basis of general good design, it's not a very desirable goal.of course, english is my language so that i may be handicapped by a lack of understanding of the dutch language and dutch preferences in terms of how things are laid out.on those occasions when i'm doing something for purely personal consumption, i still try to use good fundamental design principles...it makes sure that i stay in practice and don't get sloppy, plus, in case i'm accidentally brilliant, i can release my work to others without the need to redesign.