I spent quite awhile in a cave mining iron and other stuff but how do to change ore to ingots i tried makeing a square with cobble in my workbench but it didnt work... is it even worth it i also want to know how to make steal and any other smithing stuff any advice

There will be a big smelter. It's a fat round thing.
I remember there is one at Whiterun behind all the other smithing tools.

Smelt the ore into ingots. Use the ingots to make armor/weapons. need leather strips as well.

wow that easy haha how didnt i see it thanks

I took ages to realise it as well.
I think it was a loading tip that made me look for it.