HowToDisplay

.xls files - Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files

Suppose you are unable to view a file properly. You discover the type of the file is .xls or "Microsoft Excel spreadsheet".

How do you display a .xls file (or a related file, such as a .xlt, .xlc, .xlm, or .xlw file) properly?

1. Method 1: Download and use the Microsoft Excel Viewer

   1. If appropriate, read about and download the Microsoft Excel Viewer software for free:

      • "Microsoft Excel 97/2000 Viewer (Windows 95/98/NT/2000)"
   2. Install the Microsoft Excel Viewer software.
   3. Use the Microsoft Excel Viewer software to open and to display .xls files.

2. Method 2: Use OpenOffice.org software to view a converted copy

   If (for example)

   • you are not able, allowed, or willing to use Method 1, and
   • you can access the World Wide Web,

   then you might prefer to use Method 2 to try to convert the .xls file and to view the results:

   1. If appropriate, use a "Download" link at OpenOffice.org to download (a "stable" version of) the OpenOffice.org software suite for free.
   2. Install the OpenOffice.org software.
   3. Use the OpenOffice.org software to open and to display .xls files.
   4. You might also use the OpenOffice.org software to make or to edit .xls files.

This page was updated on July 28, 2004.

Copyright © 1998-2003 by Barry G. Wong. All rights reserved.