How can associated sub cells be set without using the reading order tool?

PAC error: "Table header cell has no associated sub cells"

I have a foreign language table that is not at all translating properly when recognized by the table editor (shows four columns instead of 6). Therefore, I had to assign ColSpan/RowSpan and Scope using "Edit Attribute Options…" under "Object Properties". (The simple table is tagged using the proper table syntax and views correctly via Callas). 

How can associated sub cells be set without using the reading order tool?