How to Read Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel files are easy to download or transfer to a computer, but without the application to open the program, the file is useless. Any user who has rights to install and use the program can create a spreadsheet, then save it to a USB flash drive or attach to an email. The receiving user, however, may not have the full Excel application on the computer to open and read the file. If you are in this predicament, you can install an application to, at least, allow viewing of the Excel spreadsheet.

• 1

  Open a second Internet browser window, or press the "Ctrl" and "N" keys.

• 2

  Navigate to Microsoft's "Excel Viewer: Download Details" Web page (or see link in Resources below).

• 3

  Click on the blue "Download" button. Save the installation file to the hard drive. Double-click on the "ExcelViewer.exe" file, then follow the installation instructions.

• 4

  Click on "Start." Select "All Programs." Find and click on the "Excel Viewer" icon to open the program.

• 5

  Click on "File" at the top of Excel Viewer. Select "Open." Click on the drive letters and folders in the dialog box to find the Microsoft Excel file on the hard drive to be read. Double-click on the file to open and read it in Excel Viewer.