table question (height)

Hi, I'm wondering if there is wa wayto control height of tables variably. I have a table with 2 cells, and within each of those two tables, i also have a table for a total of 3 tables. the problem is this. let's say i have a lot of information in the table in cell 2. then it will expand. however, can i have the table in cell 1 expand the same amount? i only ask this since all the table cells have different colors, and i would like to keep the color schema. i found a work around by specifying an absolutly large number for the inner tables' height, but, i was wondering if there is another way of doing it.

sample code:
<table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">

<table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#000000">
stuff 1
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</td>
<td bgcolor="#FFFFFF">

<table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#000000">
stuff 2
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</td>
</table>

Thanks in advance for any help.

[This message has been edited by machiavelli (edited October 23, 2000).]

If you specify both inside tables to have:
height="100%"

then they will expand vertically to fill the outside table. Then, if one gets bigger, it will push the outside table up and the other one will expand to the same size.

I already tried that, but it didn't seem to work. maybee i made a mistake. are you sure about this? thanks for you help.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana,Arial,Helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mab:
If you specify both inside tables to have:
height="100%"

then they will expand vertically to fill the outside table. Then, if one gets bigger, it will push the outside table up and the other one will expand to the same size.[/quote]

hey, it did work. but only for IE. netscape seems to mess up. o well. no biggie. i was hoping it could be done, but if not, i'll find a work around. thanks. for ur help.