Any computer buffs about?

[Novice Gardener]

Is there a free version of Excel that I can download from the internet? I run windows XP (or it might be Vista) but whatever it is, it only comes with Microsoft Works which has a spreadsheet thingy that looks exactly like Excel, but isn't Excel. My problem is that although I can use the spreadsheet thingy, most of the people I send the spreadsheets to (and receive stuff from) only have Excel, so I could do with this on my little puter. I managed to borrow a disc that loaded Word on for me, but I can't find one with Excel on it. Can anyone on here help please? (btw, any help will have to be in very basic English as I'm a total numpty when it comes to puters LOL )

[Jameslovell]

I don't know if there are any downloadable versions, but you can try Google Docs http://docs.google.com

You can work on excel spreadsheets online and save them there too. This means you can access them from any computer with internet access. Google Docs can open Excel files too.

[marigold007]

I recommend Google Docs as well. I use it for converting Word to Adobe (.pdf) files. It's great.

[Novice Gardener]

Thanks to both of you. I'll have a look and if its simple enough for me

[shirlthegirl43]

If you have no luck with the links, let me know by PM and Madmax will email you a copy of Excel (or put it somewhere you can pick it up and give instructions how).

Hope that makes sense, I have drunk too much wine with the curry tonight!

[Tam]

I don't know if this would be of interest - Word Processor - Spreadsheet - Download (alternative to Word & Excel).

[Hashette]

Yep, here you go. Not exactly excel, but produced by Sun Microsystems who provide Java, so totally kosher

www: OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

[NOG]

Excel is Licenced software so I hope Shirlthegirl will is saying that she is transfering the licance for her copy to you...(just in case FAST are viewing).

There is a free Office package that is downloadable from http://openoffice.org-suite.com/iknn...o_uk&se=google

Of if you use Excel a lot you could buy it....I know it is a radical option.

[Snadger]

Does Microsoft Word not have a basic spreadsheet built into it? Should be compatable with Excel anyway!

[quark1]

Or you could save any spreadsheet coming out of works spreadsheet in the format *.xls?

Thereby being Excel compatible if transferring data between users.

[kentvegplot]

Recommmend the Open Office software. Never had a problem with compatability with MS products - including things like presentations. We run it on both Windows XP and Linux - it's really good.

[Kristen]

If you are a Student there are substantial discounts available for MS [and I presume others] software - just in case that is relevant / helps.

[PAULW]

I am sure that in MS downloads there is a patch that will allow you to change Works spreadsheet into Excel

[quark1]

You don't need any patches etc....

Works will allow you to save any spreadsheet in the following formats

*.xlr - works format
*.wks - older works format
*.xls - excel 97-2003
*.csv - comma separated values - to upload to a d/base
*.txt - text and tabs - presumably to a document?

When you have made your spreadsheet and are happy with its content...

File
Save As

and then select the format you require from those available and deliver the file to your recipients!

I run under windows xp and these selections are available on my version.

I am a past computer 'specialist' analyst/programmer - mainly mainframes - but do now know quite a bit about pcs having had to do the job myself at home with no handy knowlege base to call upon. I would never consider myself an expert - even in what they paid me for - I always think of an expert as someone lucky enough to have read a few pages ahead in the manual or had to solve the problem before! There is always something new to learn in computing and my skills are now several years out of date.

If you're a bit of a novice you may find the the 'dummies' books are quite good for reference. I know tutorials are built into many programs these days but there is something more substantial about being able to run across a few pages of info - and also to be able to do so away from the pc. They span a vast range of computer based programs and utilities and I think they even do things like dogs and cats now!

[Novice Gardener]

Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. First off I tried saving the doc as an xls thingy instead of the xlr one that came up, that worked ok, and the person I sent it to who only had excel on their puter was able to open the document, but then I needed to amend it and as I'd saved it as an xls doc, then I couldn't re-open it. I tried the google thingy, but I got lost so maybe I'll try that another time. I also tried to download something called openoffice but that didn't work either, so Shirl, thanks for your offer, YHM!!