How do I change the width of my template?

[pgram]

I bought the Zen Cart eBook 2nd edition and followed the steps and information from pages 282 "Creating Custom Templates" through 286. I have been through the book and Wiki site, Top 10 Questions asked by new Zen Cart® Users, I still cannot figure out how to change the width of the entire page. I have managed to find how/where to change the images and text, but cannot find anything (particularly in the .css) where I can call out a value. Ideally I would like a page that is 900px wide. But for the life of me, I can't find where to make that happen. Can anyone please help? I've already spent a day, just on this one thing.

Thanks in advance!

[pgram]

I found the answer!!! It is on the stylesheet.css, specifically this for those like me who have never worked with anything but basic HTML:
/*wrappers - page or section containers*/
#mainWrapper {
background-color: #ffffff;
text-align: left;
width: 900px;
vertical-align: top;
border: 1px solid #9a9a9a;
}

The default width is 750px; Change the number and you change the width of the page column! I guess I should have spent a few more minutes looking before I posted.

[RescoCCC]

You can also use a percentage so that the width expands and contracts to fit the visitor's monitor.

[rstevenson]

You can also use a percentage so that the width expands and contracts to fit the visitor's monitor.

IF the rest of your template is designed to utilize that extra width in a sensible manner. And IF you test the result on a large monitor at a variety of different browser window widths (and in different browsers, of course) to make sure the result is what you expect. Jus' sayin'.

Rob

[pgram]

Rob,

Your artcardshop.com site is BEAUTIFUL. How long did it take you to get that look? The text and navigation is simple and EASY to read! I don't mind a few boxes in the left and right columns to highlight something special, but your layout is configured beautifully. I am making the assumption that you did more than change a few templates and stylesheets. After seeing your site and knowing how long I have already spent on trying to get the one I am working on to look halfway decent, I now feel totally dejected!

Pam

[RescoCCC]

IF the rest of your template is designed to utilize that extra width in a sensible manner. And IF you test the result on a large monitor at a variety of different browser window widths (and in different browsers, of course) to make sure the result is what you expect. Jus' sayin'.

Rob

I haven't seen any templates that have any problem with using a percentage in the mainWrapper width since all the template files use mainWrapper.

[rstevenson]

I haven't seen any templates that have any problem with using a percentage in the mainWrapper width since all the template files use mainWrapper.

I wasn't saying there would be a problem. I was saying that you needed to check to make sure the site looked the way you expected in lots of different-sized browser windows.

Rob

[rstevenson]

... Your artcardshop.com site is BEAUTIFUL. ...

Thanks for the kind words Pam. I'll PM you the details.

Rob