Load 2 (or more) frames with one click - HTML method 

There are two ways to do this... the HTML method, and the javascript method. Each has it's advantages and each has it's drawbacks.

The HTML method does not require that javascript be enabled for it to work. It doesn't require that you learn anything new (If you can make frames, you can do this.)

The javascript method is better if you're going to get into some fancy frame manipulation. It's often less work, it's more or less "reusable", it's more flexible and it can be easier to add on to. The only real drawback is if someone comes to your site with their JS disabled, they're not going to get very far.

If at all possible, use the HTML method. We will get into that first...

The idea is simple... the two frames that will be changed have been defined with a frameset doc. To change them, just load a new frameset doc.

Click the link below. Follow me step by step. I'll explain what's happening.
Here is an example.

The link first loads a directory page in the left frame and a frameset page in the right. The frameset page immediately loads 2 documents in that right frame: Joe's friend Bill and Joe's friend Ed.

Click the link to Jackie's friends.

This loads a whole new frameset doc (split2_jackie.html) into the right frame which immediately loads Jackie's friend Amy and Jackie's friend Joan into the frames.

You see, all you're doing is loading a new frameset doc when you click on a link. The framesets can be as complex as you wish. Click back and forth between Joe's friends and Jackie's friends.

Now click on More friends.

Oh my! What the heck happened?

Well... more of the same. Clicking on that link loaded an entirely new master page with the target being set as "_top". This loaded a new directory page in the left frame and a new frameset page in the right which in turn spilled 4 documents into those 4 right frames.

Click on John's friends. This loads a new frameset doc (split4_john.html) into the right frame which in turn loads John's friends. Clicking back and forth between Joe, Jackie, John and Jenny simply loads different framesets into the right frame. Clicking on the Less frames link re-loads the first master page.

Pretty neat eh?

The following documents were used in the above examples.

Master pages

master_html_2.html

master_html_4.html

Directory pages

dir_html_2.html

dir_html_4.html

Frameset pages

split2_joe.html

split2_jackie.html

split4_joe.html

split4_jackie.html

split4_john.html

split4_jenny.html

Friends pages

joe_bill.html

joe_ed.html

joe_frank.html

joe_tom.html

jackie_amy.html

jackie_joan.html

jackie_lisa.html

jackie_toni.html

john_al.html

john_dean.html

john_george.html

john_ralph.html

jenny_denise.html

jenny_marci.html

jenny_pam.html

jenny_shannon.html

Thats about it for the HTML method. Remember, regardless of the method you choose, there's a lot of room for error here. Be meticulous and thorough. Test your setup completely before unleashing it on the world.

You want to tax yourself? Here's what you can do for some intense practice...

Put this little frames symphony together from scratch. Use the following outline...

   Mammals
      Farm Animals
         Cow | Pig | Horse
      Big Game
         Bear | Moose
      Small Critters
         Mouse | Gerbil | Squirrel | Mole
   Plants
      Trees
         Maple | Oak | Fir | Cherry
      Flowers
         Daisy | Tulip | Rose
      Fruits
         Apple | Orange | Grapes | Peaches | Plums | Lemons
      Vegetables
         Cucumber | Green beans
   Fish
      Game fish
         Salmon | Bass | Walleye | Catfish
      Aquarium fish
         Goldfish | Guppies

A solution is here if you need it.

Now off to the javascript method >>

Frames Tutor

Lessons: Intro 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Frames Templates      HTML 4.0 Reference      Barebones HTML Guide