Accidentally changed format of preference files

Hi all,
I was trying to resolve a problem in a programme I was having so I dragged and dropped its preference file along with another onto the desktop. I accidentally dropped one onto the other and now all preference files (mac apps not plists) have been converted to excel files which can't be read. Now new files which I open from my hard drive open as .exec files!!
How do I can I right my wrongs??

OK, firstly thanks for getting back to me and sorry my post was confusing. I am a little confused! The problem really comes in two parts:
1) I use a brainwave analysis programme called Netstation, its a programme in which you can edit raw acquisition data. I was having trouble with it and had been advised that pulling the preference file (from HD/User/Username/Library/Preferences) onto the desktop would help. I cant remember exactly but when I did this it said something about Adobe Device Central so I then tried to pull that onto the desktop too - which I then accidentally dropped onto the Netstation prefs file. Neither of these were .plist, the .plist file are fine. But now all of the prefs file which weren't .plist have changed to excel file formats. The thumbnail of these even reads "Can you read this? I don't think so".
2) With regards to the general functioning of the computer and programmes it seemed to be fine, until I tried to open some raw Netstation data files from my external hard drive (transfered from the acquisition computer). It is these raw data files which now show as .exec files on my computer and will not open. I believe this to be due to the fact that I have changed the preference files format, but cannot be 100% sure.
Does that help? Any assistance would be GREATLY received!

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