Problems downloading a program/file off the internet, end up as Excel files

When I attempt to download a program or a file off the internet, and save it to disk it appears as an unreadable excel spreadsheet on my desktop. What is going on?

Hi, Mary.
1. Can you provide an example, such as a URL / link to a file you have attempted to download?
2. See my "Resetting Launch Services" FAQ.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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