Having found the statistics you want to download, there are a few simple steps to follow to convert the document from Netscape into Microsoft Excel.

1) After finding the document/statistics in Netscape, go to "File" and select "Save As." In this new box that appears, under file name, there will be a given title with .htm or .html file extension. This extension must be changed to .txt. Then, under "Save As Type," use the arrow key on the right to select "Plain Text" (.txt). Then click on "Save." (Be sure to note where you are saving this file; at the top, there is a "Save in" box. Click on the arrow to show the path of where the file is being saved; this also allows you to change the path, if you like.) Because you are going to use this with Excel, it makes sense to save it under Excel.

2) Once you have started Excel, go to "File," then select "Open." You may need to change the drive and/or directory to where you saved the document. You will also need to change the File type from Microsoft Excel Files (.xls) to Text Files (.txt) or All Files. Once you have found the document, select it and mark OK.

3) Now an item box titled "Text Import Wizard" opens. The data wizard will select Delimited or Fixed Width for you. You can also change the "Start Import at row" to any number you want (along the left hand side of the text, the rows are numbered for you.) Select "Next" to move to Step 2.

4) Use the scrolling bars at the bottom and right to look over the text. If you want to add a column, left click on the spot where you want the new column line to appear. When you have added column lines, click "Next." The third step is to decide the format of each column. For numeric values, select "General." For text, select "Text." Select "Finish" after deciding data format for each column.

The document should now be opened in Excel. You can then save the file as any type you wish, i.e., Microsoft Excel Workbook.

David Weaver
August 13, 1998