This site contains numerous documents and forms which can be downloaded into Word for printing or editing. To download a document, you should be able simply to click on a Word icon like this one and follow any instructions which then appear before the document opens up in Word. Life is not always that simple, however…

Software Requirements

You need to have Microsoft Word Version 6 or later installed for the downloaded files to work best, whether your computer is a PC or a Mac. If you have Word, then clicking on the Word icon to download a Word file should launch Word automatically, whether you use Internet Explorer or Netscape as your browser.

If you do not have Microsoft Word Version 6, you should either contact your local IT support to request it, or if you are a PC user you can install a Word Viewer free of charge from Microsoft's website. To install a Word Viewer for Windows 95, 98 or NT, click here. Mac users have to upgrade to Word 6 in order to view these Word files as there is no Word viewer application for Macs.

By default, Windows 95, 98 and NT have WordPad installed, which is a simple viewer. This program can read Word files, but cannot display graphics or tables.

Downloading the Word Viewer Using Netscape Navigator 3 / Navigator Gold

When you click on the Word Icon the dialogue box on the right will appear, and you should choose "Save File...".

When you choose "Save File…", a box like the one on the right will appear, showing you the folder to which the file will be saved (in this case, it will be put in c:\netscape). You can either choose another folder in the usual way, or settle for the one suggested, but ensure that you keep a note of the file’s new location. When you have done this, click the "Save" button. To open the file, you will need to start Word, Word Viewer or WordPad, find the file you have just saved, and then open it as usual.

Mac Users

If you are using a Mac, you need to ensure that you have the correct converter installed, to enable the Mac version of Word to open files saved by Windows. If you have Microsoft Word, then it is likely that the correct converter has already been installed. If in doubt, go to the Applications folder, and then look in the Microsoft Word folder. Click on the Microsoft Word setup program. The right-hand panel will list all installed components. Check that all filters and converters have check boxes next to them. If not, make sure they are checked in the left hand panel. You may need to insert your Mac system disk to install these components, or you may be able to use the converters in Word, mentioned above. If you do not have the right converter, you can download one here.

Troubleshooting

If you have any further problems, please send an email to the webmaster. You should contact your local IT support in the first instance. It may be that your Netscape browser has not been set up correctly to handle Microsoft Word.