A method and apparatus that allows a user to specify whether his web page has primarily row or column layout. Web page editor software designed in accordance with the present invention generates the internal representation of a page (such as HTML) differently depending on how the user specifies the web page. A preferred embodiment of the present invention defaults to a primarily row layout, but allows the user to specify a primarily columnar layout by checking a box displayed by the editor. The editor generates an HTML table representing the page (or each frame of the page). Within the main HTML table, the editor generates HTML subtables, depending on whether the page is laid out using primarily row or column layout. The subtables are defined in such a way that the various elements of the page lined up in either a row or column direction, thus minimizing the problems. In addition, an editor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows the user to define whether the height of text is locked or whether it can be changed when viewed by a browser.