Rendering Content Query Web Part results in Table Layout

It is known that OOB Content Query Web Part (CQWP)  renders results using Lists for arranging items as shown below

In ASP.NET WebForms for Web Control DataList there is a possibility to specify layout rendering mode using property RepeatLayout, what if the similar functionality would be available in CQWP?

So, our  goal to extend CQWP, i.e. in addition to List Layout rendering mode, lets implement functionality for rendering Content Query Web Part results in Plain Old Table Layout.
In this approach, we would like to achieve the following options:

• Possibility to easily arrange results in columns
• Specify items direction (horizontal or vertical)

Solution Structure

• Web Part that extends Content Query Web Part by allowing to generate additional information about Table Layout  to the XSLT processing of the CQWP
• Tool Part with the ability to specify Table Layout properties
• Web Part Manifest File
• Main XSLT for rendering results in Table Layout

Content Query Web Part Class

Tool Part Class Implementation with the ability to specify Table Layout properties

Web Part manifest file

Pay attention that we provide custom XSLT for processing of the CQWP, for more details see How to: Customize XSL for the SharePoint Content By Query Web Part.

Main XSLT style sheet for rendering results in Table Layout

Results

Below is shown Web Part configured  to display results in 4 columns and horizontal mode layout