how do you remove the door panel on a 1997 honda civic

Buy a door panel remover tool at your local napa or Schucks. After you get that make sure you have a philips screw driver. Remove all the screws from the door handle and any visible screws. After that run the panel tool along the perimeter of the door panel it self. The door is being held on by plastic "screws". If you pull on it gently each "screw" should come out easily. Make sure you start from the bottom and work your way up. If you have to you can unclip the power window wires that are hidden underneath the door handle.

there should be a screw behind the door handle, and in the armrest, depending if you ha p/w or not and then screws around the perimiter of the door, also you need to take the little corner trim piece off where the mirror is and the the door should pop off at the bottom, (beind held on with plastic clips) then lift the panel out and up and it should come off