#!/usr/bin/perl -w
use strict;
use Excel::Template;

my $excel_template = Excel::Template->new(filename => 'test_template.x
+ml');

$excel_template->write_file('test.xls');
[download]

<workbook>
    <worksheet name="Test">
        <cell text="A single cell"/>
    </worksheet>
</workbook>
[download]

I ran your code with the following setup and it worked just fine without any errors. You sure you're using a binary transfer mode when ftp'ing the file?
• RH9 (2.4 kernel), Perl 5.8.0 (vendor build)
• S::WE 2.04, E::T 0.12
• MS Excel 2002 (I don't have access to Office2k3)

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We are the carpenters and bricklayers of the Information Age.

Then there are Damian modules.... *sigh* ... that's not about being less-lazy -- that's about being on some really good drugs -- you know, there is no spoon. - flyingmoose

I shouldn't have to say this, but any code, unless otherwise stated, is untested

Yes, I'm sure. I'm transferring the file with Samba.

I can successfully run the code on Windows with Perl 5.8.x and the file opens without warning; the only thing I've noticed is that the corrupt file is 2 bytes larger (5,634 bytes vs. 5,632).