If the staff are familiar with your particular browser, they will be able to talk you through this procedure. Your browser may not support uploading files. You must have a browser version later than MS Internet Explorer 3.02 or later than Netscape 2.0. The reason why a file cannot be opened is because your computer does not know what format the file is. In a case such as this, you would want to send the person a message asking them what format the file was saved in.
Most software packages have the ability to open many different types of files.
Once you know what the format is, open your software package. When your software package tries to open the file and doesn't recognize it, you will be prompted to indicate what format the file is. More times than not, your software package will be able to open the file. You will be saving money on your phone bill. You will also have the added advantage of being able to use your spell checker and grammar checker before you submit your assignments.