> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/pdia-data-integration/9.3-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/microsoft-excel-writer/options-microsoft-excel-writer/file-and-sheet-tab/template-panel.md).

# Template panel

When you create new files or replace existing files, you may choose to create a copy of an existing template file instead. Please make sure that the template file is of the same type as the output file: both must be either `.xls` or `.xlsx`. This panel includes fields for using template files and sheets in your Excel output file.

| Field                                                 | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Use template when creating new files (check box)**  | <p>Select this option if you want to use a specified MS Excel template to create the output file.</p><ul><li>Select this option to specify an Excel template for use in creating the output file. If you select this option, you must also specify the template file name in the <strong>Template file</strong> field below.</li><li>Clear this option if you do not want to specify a template file.</li></ul>        |
| **Template file**                                     | If you selected the **Use template when creating new files**check box above, then enter the template file name you want to use, or click the **Browse**button and navigate to it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| **Use template when creating new sheets (check box)** | <p>Select this option if you want to use a specified template sheet to create the output sheet.</p><ul><li>Select this option to specify a template sheet for use in creating the output sheet. If you select this option, you must also specify the name of the template sheet in the <strong>Template sheet</strong>field below.</li><li>Clear this option if you do not want to specify a template sheet.</li></ul> |
| **Template sheet**                                    | If you selected the **Use template when creating new sheets**check box above, then enter the template sheet name you want to use, or click the **Browse**button and navigate to it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| **Hide Template sheet (check box)**                   | <p>Decide if you want the template sheet to be visible when the MS Excel output file is opened.</p><ul><li>Select this option to hide the template sheet from users who open the output file.</li><li>Clear this option to show the template sheet to users who open the output file.</li></ul>                                                                                                                        |


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