To download a file means to save it locally on your computer's hard disk. 

All files have been virus checked before uploading - but it is always advisable to use up to date anti virus software to check files downloaded from the internet.

How do you download a file?

The files that can be downloaded are shown as hyperlinks. When clicked on they should begin the download process where you are asked to save the file in a particular location on your computer.

However, sometimes a file will download and open in your browser if the appropriate viewer has been installed. This is particularly true for Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. This may not be a problem but it is usually better to download these files on to your hard drive first then view them offline as browser viewer can change formating and numbering of files.

To save files before viewing use the following steps.

If you are using Internet Explorer, click with the RIGHT mouse button on the hyperlink and choose Save Target As.

If you are using Netscape, click with the RIGHT mouse on the hyperlink and choose Save Link As.

The browser normally prompts you for a folder to which to save files, and it provides a default filename. You can change the folder and filename if you wish. Make a note of the location and name. Once the file is downloaded to your hard drive it can be viewed by double clicking in Windows Explorer.

Common File Types

Portable Document Format files (.pdf)

Portable document format was designed to preserve a document's page layout, regardless of the computer platform being used. To view or download these files you need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® which can be downloaded for free from the Adobe site.

Microsoft Word files (.doc)

I recommend downloading  MS Word files and opening them using MS  Word. Word files can also be viewed in your browser window using a special viewer such as QuickView, but page layout and paragraph numbering may differ from the original document.

Executable files (.exe)

Executable or .exe files perform an action when run locally on your computer once they have been downloaded and saved on your hard disk. For example, an .exe file might decompress itself to produce a number of documents, or it might install software when you run it by double-clicking.
I recommend that you move each downloaded .exe file into its own folder before running it. 

Zip files (.zip)

Zip is a compression format used to reduce downloading times. Zipped files can be decompressed using software freely available from http://www.winzip.com/ or http://zipcentral.iscool.net/

Microsoft Excel files (.xls) 

Microsoft Excel is spreadsheet software, designed to manipulate and view numerical data such as statistics. You will need to allow macros to run when using most of the sheets available here. This can be checked by opening Excel and clicking Tools Macros Security and choosing Medium or Low security.

Also, some sheets require you have Analysis ToolPak installed - this is found by clicking Tools Add ins

(you may need the original MS Office disks to do this).

I recommend downloading  MS Excel files and opening them using MS Excel or other spreadsheet software.

Finally, if you find any errors or encounter any problems please do not hesitate to