This happens when you use 'Auto Format' in the drop down menu. Switch to 'HTML formatted' and they will show. Or you can enter \ as \\, which will display \ in 'Auto Format'. (Though when attempting aligned ascii it is advisable to use 'HTML formatted' since some other things might display strangely as well.

I have corrected this formatting problem in your diary, in my new capacity of technical helper. I also made another small change in your point 1 (put in a table) to allow for multiline text. Let's see if it updates correctly!