The StarOffice cell-related functions, formatting and other commands generally require that cells are first selected and then the desired command is activated. To select several cells, press the mouse button and drag the mouse across the cells, e.g. from the cell in the upper-left of the desired area to the cell in the lower left of the area. The selected cells are displayed in reverse. When you release the mouse button the selection remains intact, and you can now activate a command for these selected cells.
If you would like to select entire rows or columns, click the column or row headers at the edge of the table. The upper-left field at the intersection of the column and row names is the "Select All" field, which you can use to select the entire table. Click on an individual cell to remove selection of multiple cells.
If you want to select an individual line, you first have to drag the selection over this and a neighboring cell and then reduce it again to one cell by dragging it back.
Several StarOffice dialogs require you to name a range reference. This reference can either be entered using the keyboard or you can set the cursor in the input field of the dialog and select the desired table range with the mouse. A red frame is drawn around the range, and StarOffice enters its reference in the input field using correct and complete notation.
The reference entered stays highlighted, i.e. it can be changed immediately by selecting a different table area with the mouse. To finish entering the reference and continue editing the input field you must first remove the highlighting in the input field, e.g. by setting the cursor a little further to the right in the input by using the Right Arrow key.