[SLUG] tables in latex

[Brad Thomson <brad@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm currently trying to convert business correspondance into latex, and
have a couple of issues with tables.

What I'm essentially trying to do is concoct a simple table, like this:

+-----+--------------------------+--------+-------+--------+
| Qty | Description              | Rate   | GST   | Total  |
+-----+--------------------------+--------+-------+--------+
| 1   | Fried Penguin with       | $70.00 | $7.00 | $77.00 |
|     |	Peanut source            |        |       |        |
+-----+--------------------------+--------+-------+--------+
                                   Total: | $7.00 | $77.00 |
					  +-------+--------+


The horrible mess I've got at the moment is:


\begin{tabular}{|c|l|c|c|c|}
\hline
& & & & \\
\small{\textsc{Qty}} & \small{\textsc{Description}} &
\small{\textsc{Rate}} & \
& & & & \\
\hline
& & & & \\
1 & Server upgrade and workstation configuration & 80.00 & 8.00 &
$2,100$\\
& & & & \\
1 & Debian GNU/Linux disk set & 32.00 & 3.20 & $32.00$\\
& & & & \\
\hline
\end{tabular}


I want to make the "Total:" cell at the bottom span the first two rows
and right align it, or tell latex not to draw borders around those cells
only. Are either of these possible?

The other thing I want to do is get rid of is the blank likes to fill
space above and below a line item. I played around with \vspace, but it
aligns the text to the bottom of the cell rather than centre.

I guess I need the Lamport book for this kind of stuff, I'm having
troubles finding anything useful in the documentation. Links or pointers
to documentation welcomed :)

Brad.

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