i received an email from a collegue with an excel attachment but i am unable
to open it. it says it is an unknown file type so i search the web for a
program and it sends me to the microsoft site after downloading all updates i
still can't get it to open

Do you have XL on your machine?

If you don't, you can't open the file.

MS does provide free reader downloads for many of their programs, Excel
being among them.

However, you cannot revise or modify the file.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/000/viewers.asp
--

HTH,

RD
==============================================
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
==============================================


"martymillion" wrote in message
...
i received an email from a collegue with an excel attachment but i am unable
to open it. it says it is an unknown file type so i search the web for a
program and it sends me to the microsoft site after downloading all updates
i
still can't get it to open

Marty,

When say "won't open," you should say what happens. Does it ask which
program to use? Does Excel start at all? Does it give an error message?
Do your lights dim? Such information is very useful when dealing with files
that won't open.

--
Earl Kiosterud
mvpearl omitthisword at verizon period net
-------------------------------------------

"martymillion" wrote in message
...
i received an email from a collegue with an excel attachment but i am
unable
to open it. it says it is an unknown file type so i search the web for a
program and it sends me to the microsoft site after downloading all
updates i
still can't get it to open

Marty,

Oops. You did say what happens. RagDyeR probably put his finger on it --
you probably don't have Excel installed. If you do, your Windows
association with the *.xls file type is not working. Open the file in Excel
(save the attachment first). If you don't have it, either get it, or get
the free viewer (Rag's post).

--
Earl Kiosterud
mvpearl omitthisword at verizon period net
-------------------------------------------

"Earl Kiosterud" wrote in message
...
Marty,

When say "won't open," you should say what happens. Does it ask which
program to use? Does Excel start at all? Does it give an error message?
Do your lights dim? Such information is very useful when dealing with
files that won't open.

--
Earl Kiosterud
mvpearl omitthisword at verizon period net
-------------------------------------------

"martymillion" wrote in message
...
i received an email from a collegue with an excel attachment but i am
unable
to open it. it says it is an unknown file type so i search the web for a
program and it sends me to the microsoft site after downloading all
updates i
still can't get it to open