How to open xls attachments-HELP, PLEASE

ampersand

I have never been able to do this and can't understand what to do when I end up, as always, at the Windows File Extension page.
I need to see a floor plan which has been sent and would appreciate idiot-proof(THIS idiot-a big challenge)instructions.
Thankyou to the patient ms techies yet again.
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I click the attachment and this arrives:
http://shell.windows.com/fileassoc/0409/xml/redir.asp?EXT=xls

When I open this, I click Microsoft Excel and this comes up:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/excel/default.aspx

I haven't a clue what to do next. Have dickered about entering 'Read xls spreadhseet'/'open xls...'this that and the other in Search terms, but really can't make any headway.

malamute

Do you have Microsoft Excel on your computer if not you will not be able to open and read this file.
You could use any of the following to see the file
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=read+xls+file&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Reggie_Rebel

I reckon you have either had a trial copy of Excel that has expired, or you haven't registered your copy and used your however many free goes.

windra

Open office is a free version of microsoft office, its spreasheet version of microsoft excel will open your file too.

ampersand

Thankyou all - but I am sufficiently inept to need every step of your kind advice spelt out to me.
I'm going to start trying malamute's suggestion then work on through before coming back here.
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Well, can't open anything with Google and although I can read the microsoft instructions, I can't see any of the things they tell me to click or open.

windra

If you still have trouble, you can download open office here
http://download.openoffice.org/contribute.html?download=bouncer&product%3DOpenOffice.org%26os%3Dwinwjre%26lang%3Den-US%26version%3D3.0.0

Once you have installed it you will find a program called Open office Calc on your start menu under Open office.

You should be able to right click your file and chose open with -> and choose open office calc from the list.

ampersand

windra - THANKYOU!

I have actually done it!
It took a long time to download, but I now have the floorplan.
This is such an achievement for me, you cannot know.
Thankyou all again.