I am having trouble downloading email attachments in the xls format. How can I change the format, so that it doesn't read like hieroglyphics

Do you have Excel on your system?

Yes we do, does that make a difference?

If you didn't that would explain the garbled contents. If you are sure that Excel is opening the files, I would have the sender zip the file and resend it. If its still coming up garbled, but other XLS files open OK, then it may be the way they are creating the file.

I have no problem in attaching XLS files.