I assumed that this issue would have been raised already because it seemed like
a fairly obvious enhancement to me.  However, after some searching I was unable
to find it.  If it does exist and I failed to find it, I'd be happy to look at
the original issue.

Microsoft Word, Corel Wordperfect, Abiword, and I'm sure, other word processing
programs all have a button (or three) on a standard toolbar to allow the user to
change between single, double, triple, etc. columns directly with only one or
two clicks.  The formatting is based on a simple default.  So, the user may not
be exposed to all of the functionality possible when working with files, but the
average home user simply wants to change column usage quickly and easily.

It is possible to add a "Columns" button to the standard or formatting toolbars
in OOo, but changing the number of columns is only then accomplished by working
within a separate dialogue window.

This is a case where I appreciate the capability of OOo to accomplish a task,
but I feel that the most common use of the functionality begs for increased
simplicity.  In my mind it would be great if the "Columns" toolbar button were
changed in such a way that it becomes a drop-down box showing multiple column
arrangements and also includes a button called "Details" or something along
those lines to allow people to access the separate dialogue box if desired.  The
options in the toolbar button would use the same measurement system as the one
in the dialogue window, but it wouldn't be necessary to open the dialogue window
for simple changes.