Microsoft provides applications that permit reading Office files without having MS Office installed on your computer, handy if someone sends you are Word, Excel, or Powerpoint file and you don't have MS Office. These applications, however, do not allow you to edit the contents. Here is Microsoft's list:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/download...0449811033.aspx
Should you need to both view and edit Office files, you have the option of downloading the free OpenOffice.org suite, which is compatible with Microsoft Office files:
http://www.openoffice.org/