Program Path Needed

My friend is attempting to send me a data base file, names, dates, payroll numbers, etc. that is formated in an .xls extension. I am told this is an Excel program. However, I do not have Excel and the data base is just that. Not a spreadsheet program and it will not be used to manipulate numbers or numerical forumlas. Is there a way I can download this Program to my computer?
I have already searched "My Computer" and I have no .xls file. Can I create one that will open the data base file, or...?

Thanks a Bunch

Your friend can email the file and you can open it with this. http://office.microsoft.com/download.../xlviewer.aspx

robwes - Thanks mucho for the link. I have not downloaded it yet as I have several people in the loop that are sending me the data base. But your advise is far better than what I had.

robwes - The XLviewer worked just fine. It was scary as the data base that I wanted to download had several thousand names with matching dates, etc. If I had lost it there would have been a disaster.
Thanks for the help.

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