Excel - can anyone help

cornerclose

Hi, I'd like to have a go at matched betting and have read up the relevant info on this site. It seems I need to download a spreadsheet which is in excel format. I tried downloading and got a message saying "Windows cannot open this file".

I am not good at computers. Please could someone tell me (preferably in words of one syllable) how I find out if I have got Excel, or if I have got Openoffice, and if I haven't, how do I go about getting it, loading it etc?

Many thanks.

bluekp

Have you tried "Start" (button in bottom left hand corner of screen), "Search", "For Files or Folders", then typing in "excel" under "Search for Files of Folders named..." and click on "Search Now"?

Good luck.

If not try searching on the web to see if you can get an excel viewer download for free

cornerclose

Thanks bluekp.
The search returned 3 files :
Excel.XL, Excel4.XL both in folder i386 and Excel32.CNV in C:\SwSetup\Word\OFFICE1.CAB. I suspect I want the last of these, but how do I get at it?

beachbeth

Once you have done the search and found those files just double click on them (or right click and then click open). One of them should open the program.

GreenNotM

Did you download the zip file ? or rename the .xls file from this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=512

If you did download the zip or did rename the file then lets start again

just right mouse click on this link and select "save target as". http://www.apqs69.dsl.pipex.com/matcher.xls <<< right mouse click this link

Then save the file without changing the name to the "Desktop"

Now go to your desktop - close all the windows and look for the file you have just saved - it may have an Excel Icon or just a plain icon - as long as the name still ends in .xls - double click on the icon. If it cannot be opened as per your message you will need to download OpenOffice 2.0.1 for free :money: from here http://download.openoffice.org/2.0.1/index.html and install it. As the download is 75mb this is best done with a broadband connection - if you are using dial up - pop to a newsagent and purchase a PC magazine giving away a free copy of OpenOffice on it's CD/DVD. Ensure that you get the correct type of disk for your drive CD or DVD

As you need to edit the spreadsheet and add your wagers , a viewer will not be sufficient - you need to install MS Office or Open Office

Good luck and post any queries with the above instructions

Just read the further replies - the excel files you found are the winword bits that allow MS Word to convert excel files tables, you will need open office or you may be able to install a more complete version of MS Office - look in Start Button >>control panel >>> add/remove programs for MS Office or for MS Word. If you have Office then you need to add in the excel components. If you only have Word - install OpenOffice.

Good luck

cornerclose

Thanks GreenNotM. Hum..............

I definitely could not even begin to download anything. Couldn't see Office in Programs or Control Panel.

I think I need OpenOffice. Went to their website, could understand what language I wanted it in and what my operating system is. Then it asked me where I wanted it downloading to and there were 2 UK ones at which point I got lost. I think one of them has something to do with Java and I don't know if I have Java... will I need it or should I use the other one?

GreenNotM

Hi Cornerclose

JRE refers to the Java Runtime Environment.

To see if you have it again pop back to start>>settings>>>control panel and see if you have a java icon - switch to the classic view (over on the left somewhere) - if you only see a few icons in control panel - If you don't see the java icon select the "windows " as your operating system and it will download the JRE as well - if worried go for that version anyway - select any of the UK sites to do the download - You have a choice so the load is spread across servers.

Save the file to your desktop again as it will be easy to find.

cornerclose

Thanks again - have now downloaded OpenOffice. :j
Now I need to find out how to use it :eek:
Will come back if any problems, but all going smoothly so far...

cornerclose

Update...

Tried to access file on desktop - which one?????

Decided to just go for it and download the spreadsheet. :eek:

Clicked on the link and immediately...

:j :j :j

One perfectly working spreadsheet saved onto desktop.

:T :T :T

My New Year Resolution was not to be scared of my computer. thanks for helping me keep it!