Open File in Excel installs Project

WinXP SP2
Office 97 SP2

User opens a Word template that has embedded Excel spreasheet. When he tries to edit the spreadsheet, an Windows Installer starts up asking for MS Project 2000 CD. If user hits cancel several times, the installer goes away. Then the following error appears: “Microsoft Excel is waiting for another application to complete an OLE action”. When user closes this error, he is finally able to edit the spreadsheet.
User does not have or had MS Project 2000 installed.