Rebecca
You don't download Excel. You purchase it or Office Suite from a retailer or
order from MS on line. They will send you a CD.
For info on ordering see this website.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/programs/default.asp to see the Office
products and how to purchase.
You can buy it standalone or as part of the MS Office Suite.
Note:you may not need XL2003 so browse to the "previous versions"
section.
Check out Ebay for a deal on Office 97 or 2000. If you go this route, make
sure there is a licence for the product.
Do you know what files you will have to work with and their format?
You may not require Excel.
There are other applications out there that also can do spreadsheets.
MS Works has a spreadsheet application packaged with the MS Works Suite for
considerably less cost than Excel or Office.
Gord Dibben Excel MVP