We use several different types of file on our site. You will need these software programmes in order to open certain types of files. We have listed these below.
| File Type |
Software Programme |
| Portable Document Format |
Adobe Acrobat |
| MS Word Document |
Microsoft Word |
| MS Excel Spreadsheet |
Microsoft Excel |
| MS PowerPoint Presentation |
Microsoft PowerPoint |
| audio files |
Win Amp or Apple QuickTime (recommended) |
| iCalendar |
Outlook 2007 |
| Video file |
Apple QuickTime or Microsoft Windows Media Video |
Adobe Acrobat and PDF files
Adobe Acrobat is a popular document exchange medium. It works on the principle that documents produced in most software packages can be transformed into a .pdf file (the Adobe Acrobat format) and then read by the free reader package available from Adobe called Adobe Acrobat Reader. A key advantage is that it preserves all the formatting of the original file, including images, font and layout.
To read the documents you must first download the reader software from the Adobe website.
Adobe Acrobat reader as a helper application
You can add Acrobat Reader as a helper application to your browser so that it will launch automatically when you try to access a pdf file online.
Access Adobe
If you have a visual impairment you can find more information on accessibility and PDF files by visiting the Access Adobe website.
DOC, XLS, PPT files and Microsoft (MS) Office
MS Office software programmes are widely used by business for editing information. They are:
- MS Word - a text and content editor.
- MS Excel - a spreadsheet used for figures and graphical representations.
- MS Powerpoint -a presentation tool which shows picture and text information in a slideshow format.
If you do not have the MS Office programme you need, you can download a free 'viewer'. This is a piece of software that allows you to view, but not edit the file.
Download a free viewer from the MS website.
MP3 and Win Amp or Apple QuickTime (.mov)
To listen to MP3 files you must have a sound card installed on your computer, and software to play the file with.
MP3 files on the CIPD site are in standard PCM based MP3 format.
Some corporate firewalls block all MP3 format files. If you have problems you should first contact your IT department to check if this is the case, they should be able to download the file for you within your company guidelines.
For Windows users
If you have got a recent Windows PC (from version Win 95) it should have a Windows Media Player installed already. If you click on the link to starting to downloading the file, it should prompt the player to start. If you need to, you can download the most recent Media Player from the Win Amp site.
For Mac users
If you have got a recent Mac (from OS 9) it should have QuickTime installed already. If you click on the link to starting to downloading the file, it should prompt the player to start.If you need to, you can download the most recent QuickTime from the Apple site.
Microsoft Windows Media Video (.wmv)
Downloading and saving files from our website
The method is the same for all the main file types (PDF, DOC, XLS, PPT, PM3)
Saving a file for Windows users
- right click on the icon or link to the file
- choose "save target as" or "save file as".
- You will be prompted to automatically save it somewhere on your PC.
- Go to that location and open the file from there.
Saving a file for Mac users
- control click on the icon or link to the file
- Chose 'save to disk' .
- This will start the download to your computer. Normally it saves it direct onto your desktop.
- open the file from the desktop (mouseclick) or move it to another location for permanent storage.
More help
If you're having difficulty downloading a file, our Web Support team are happy to help you to get a text only version of the information you need.
Email us, using the online form provided, stating which page you're on, and the information that you require.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8612 6211 available 09 00 to 17 30, Monday to Friday