1. since certain version of office, the documents are stored in XML format. if your docs are of those new versions, probably you can parse it yourself if the task is not very complex.
2. if you use want to call Office component to do the job, no way you can just install one or a couple DLLs. Unfortunately you have to install the whole Office application - there is also a license issue you have to take into account. and like BLUE said, calling Office in a web server might cause you trouble - it's not stable.
3. Other than Google, probably Open Office is an alternative which is useful in your case to open and process the MS Office docs.
If you give more details on your requirements, a shortcut/workaround might be available.
2. if you use want to call Office component to do the job, no way you can just install one or a couple DLLs. Unfortunately you have to install the whole Office application - there is also a license issue you have to take into account. and like BLUE said, calling Office in a web server might cause you trouble - it's not stable.
3. Other than Google, probably Open Office is an alternative which is useful in your case to open and process the MS Office docs.
If you give more details on your requirements, a shortcut/workaround might be available.