Alternative Way to Insert a Table in OpenOffice Writer
While you can insert tables via the Insert->Tables functions, you can also insert a one row table by typing the syntax -
+----------+--------------------+-----------+
onto a new line and the moment you press enter after the last +, the line gets converted into a table, and the “+” characters are turned into vertical lines.
The row height of the table can be increased when you are within a cell of the table by pressing the enter key. The width of the cells in the table can still be altered by placing the cursor over the dividers in the cells until the cursor changes to the line with two arrow heads and 'Adjust table column' appears. Change the column width by moving the cursor.
The advantage of a table entered using the above is that you have a visual of what the width of each cell of the table will be as you do the above.
(Note - If that conversion does not happen, you might have deactivated the feature in the past. Go to Tools -> AutoCorrect -> Options. AutoCorrect Window comes up. Under the Options tab put a check beside “Create table”. Check that Format -> AutoCorrect -> While Typing is enabled also. Click OK at bottom of window to close window)