Dreamweaver - Simple Actions

[don bergland]

I've been using Dreamweaver since its origin as a tool to build my studio journal. I merely use the basics (no html). I construct a large divided table as a template and use it daily to  input text and images in a sequential manner throughout the day. I've kept this journal active for 15 years.  Until recently, I've been using Dreamweaver 3 on an old Macbook. I resisted using newer versions as they became more complex and difficult to use for my simple purposes. I've had to replace my old Macbook recently, and, unfortunately, it won't  play legacy software. I've been forced to use the current version of Dreamweaver (21.4) for my journaling activities.  This has brought some difficulties. I seem unable to perform very simple tasks using the same procedures used in the early versions. I used to be able to select a table, copy it, and then paste it anywhere in the document. I used to be able to copy a table from one document over to another document. I used to be able to simply select a table and delete it. I don't seem to be able to do any of these things in the new version. I've worn myself out looking for answers online.  Have I lost my mind? 

I offer a screenshot of a blank journal page constructed in Dreamweaver 3, with several of the tables I'm referring to. 

So, here are some really siimple Dreamweaver questions:
1. How do you select an existing table 
2. How do you select an existing table and delete it?
2. How do you select a table in another Dreamweaver document, copy and paste it to another document?
3. How do you select a table in a document and copy/paste it to another place in the document?  

I appreciate any solutions to this rather frustrating issue. 

Thanks, Don...

[Nancy OShea]

Short of a time machine that can transport you back to 1999 when web tech was in its infancy and everyone still used table-based layouts, I think you're using the wrong tool for journaling. 

Dreamweaver is built for creating content that will be consumed by modern web devices on mobile, tablet & desktop.  That doesn't appear to be what you're doing.

Some free alternatives for journaling (various templates available):

• Microsoft Word, Excel, or Powerpoint 
  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web
• Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Spreadsheets, or Google Slides
  https://docs.google.com/
• Open Source LibreOffice Suite
  https://www.libreoffice.org/

Hope that helps.

[don bergland]

Hi Nancy: I appreciate your comment. I've been using Dreamweaver to construct my journal in an interactive online form for over 15 years. I have over 5,000 daily entries constructed, all linked and united in a complex of interconnections that make the journal a marvel of studio efficiency.  I don't think I want to abandon all that work.  The journal can continue to operate well in its present capacity if I can just learn the secret to a few very basic actions that worked easily in an old version of Dreamweaver, but don't seem to work at all in the new version.

[Nancy OShea]

I don't think I want to abandon all that work.  

By @don bergland

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That's your choice, but either way, you'll have to adjust your workflow.

Modern Dreamweaver is vastly different now than it was 20+ years ago.

1. Switch from LIVE to DESIGN View to edit Templates & Tables.

2. Get comfortable with CODE View.  You'll need to be able to copy & paste relevant <table> CODE from one open document into another.

In this screenshot, table is selected in DESIGN view & highlighted in red.  The cursor changes to a down arrow (not shown).  Relevant <table> code is highlighted in blue.

Use keyboard shortcuts to copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) where desired.

[don bergland]

Thanks. I appreciate your help.

[L e n a]

@don bergland , although the graphical interface allows for a number of shortcuts, if you need precision, flexibility and speed, there's only one way to go... the DOM inspector (Ctrl | Cmd + F7). No needs to be involved in code, it's just a matter of clicking and dragging.

So, from this palet you can select, copy, cut, any nodes, then insert it before or after any others tags... and so on... and it also works between documents, cut in one, insert in the other... in short, I think this tool meets your needs and answers both of your questions.