google docs
I have a table where each row might have one, two or three columns. For example, here is a similar table I made in LibreOffice Writer, using the split cell functionality:
As far as I can tell, Google Documents does not have "Split cell", only "Merge cell".
So I can do this by creating a table with six columns, then merging the appropriate combinations. However, this is fiddly and manual.
Is there a better way?
As far as I know it's not possible to remove the line before and after the nested table. The good "news" are that now is possible to merge cells.
References
Add and edit tables - Docs editors Help
Merge cells and wrap text - Docs editors Help
I think Google needs to do quite a lot more work on Tables and the alignment you seek seems extremely unintuitive (perhaps not helped where the response is not instant). However, it does seem to be possible. First I would clear the formatting from the column (so don't put a tab stop in the middle). I think by default you should see the little blue arrow, as ringed in red:
Right align the column (from the menu bar), then drag that little blue arrow as far to the left as required:
Best Answer
splitting cells in two without inserting 1+ column is not yet supported, however you can easily unmerge merged cells in Google Docs: