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 HTML method first.

Change 2 (or more) frames - the HTML method

The idea here 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.

View directory

 

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

zjoe_bill.html

zjoe_ed.html

zjoe_frank.html

zjoe_tom.html

zjackie_amy.html

zjackie_joan.html

zjackie_lisa.html

zjackie_toni.html

zjohn_al.html

zjohn_dean.html

zjohn_george.html

zjohn_ralph.html

zjenny_denise.html

zjenny_marci.html

zjenny_pam.html

zjenny_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...