importing other classes or using a Jar

I wrote a program that uses the apache poi functionality. i extracted and compiled all the files that are included in their source package. it all works but I am wondering if there is a better way.

When I do it this way there are about 1000 class files that end up getting compiled and ultimately distributed. I tried downloading the bin file from apache and it contains a handful of jar files but I have no idea how to use them. I tried everything I could think of.

currently it looks like this:
import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.*;
import org.apache.poi.poifs.filesystem.POIFSFileSystem;

and then all the compiled class files are in matching directories.

Is there a way to point everything at the Jar file apache distributes and delete the huge amount of files and directories? Unfortunately I can't seem to search on Jar on the forum because it only has 4 letters.

Thanks in advance.

Include the jarfiles on your classpath.

Masijade is right. In addition, unbundling their JAR files and including select classes probably violates their license.

Just a simple try of me, may be it can helpful to you. :)

Setting classpath on Windows XP.