BOAC,
normally you just mark the paragraphs you wish to align, then select left, right, centre, or whatever from the icon line - or go to the menu, select format, then paragraph, and you get a little window with the settings.
As always, Word will also allow you about half a dozen more complicated methods to achieve the same end, so if you'll describe how exactly you want your columns aligned, it should be easy to sort out.
And of course: You missed nothing. Word just is that way.
