"ivo....-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org" <ivo....-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w@public.gmane.org> writes:

> pandoc 2.18, macOS. I find the tables to be very finicky, rather than
> very intuitive. for example,
>
> [...]

The issue, as far as I can see, is that the tables are a mix of grid
tables and pipe tables. Try to either

- Remove all horizontal lines except for the one separating table head
and body. Use `-` (not `=`) for that line.

- Alternatively, add `+--+` lines between all rows.

Currently you have a table with a single body row, so all text in a
column is in a single cell. That's why some text is moved around if the
cell width permits to do so.

HTH

--
Albert Krewinkel
GPG: 8eed e3e2 e8c5 6f18 81fe e836 388d c0b2 1f63 1124