[Bug]: ExcelWriter Template option seems not working properly

[IANFRA01]

Apache Hop version?

2.8.0

Java version?

openjdk 21.0.9

Operating system

Windows

What happened?

I’ve been trying since yesterday to get the “Template” option working in the Excel Writer step, and I noticed two things:

The .xls template works only if the final output file is also typed as .xls.
The .xlsx template does not work on .xlsx output (template .xlsx → output .xlsx).
Is this a version bug? I’m still using v2.8.
I’m attaching a Word file with evidence/screenshots.

HOP_TEMPLATE_ISSUE_EN.docx

Issue Priority

Priority: 3

Issue Component

Component: Transforms

[sramazzina]

Confirmed it is a bug also in 2.17

[dmainou]

Confirmed it is a bug also in 2.17

I am using it on a project with no issues. xlsx to xlsx.
Happy to test if you get a unit test.