What computer do you have? and What Operating System?  And, what MS Office version do you have?   What were you "told to do"?

 

We need more than "it doesn't work" to assist you.

MY computer is a Dell Inspiron 531. Software Microsoft Windows Home Edition XP. Trying to use Microsoft Office 2007. I followed the updates and downloads for my computer. I had my copmuter for 2 weeks now.

What message or indication do you get if you try to open MSWord or any of the other applications?

 First of all, I have to go to My Documents,then File: Active Directory.iaf and choose program 1033. When I try to open I get

C:/Documents and Settings/LaChonda Powell/My Documents/Active Directory.iaf is not a valid Win32 application.

It is not in my start up menu.

That is the wrong way and you are not as noted selecting an actual program to run.  That is why it doesn't work. 

 

You have to go to Start/All Programs and in the programs list should be MS Office and when you see Microsoft Office, click on that and it shoud open a sub menu with the various applications such as MS Word, Excel, etc.  You can open them from that point or you can, for example RIGHT click on MS Word and then LEFT click copy and then paste it on the Desktop (screen) so you have a "Shortcut" to MS Word and then you can just doubleclick on the desktop icon to open MS Word. 

 Is Microsoft Works the same as Microsoft Office because that is all I see now.

If all you see is Microsoft Works then you (apparently) do not have Microsoft Office.  Did you pay extra for MS Office ? (it is optional at extra cost) or are you just assuming you have it?

 

If you paid extra for it (it will be listed on the invoice you got from Dell with the PC), and do not have the install DVD with the Product Key, then call Dell support (or customer service).  If it is not listed on your invoice then you do not have MS Office.

Thank you! You have answered my questions?