In Windows, double-clicking on an excel template icon CREATES a NEW DOCUMENT based on that template.

In FMP, any reference I make to the excel template OPENS the EXCEL TEMPLATE! How do I reference the template, from within FMP, to make it create a NEW DOCUMENT?

Thanks in advance

Don't think that's in the remit for FMP.

Would you expect Excel to generate new FMP files?

You can use the command line switches and the Send Event [] script step.

Example:

"C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice10EXCEL.EXE" /e /t "C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice10XLStartTemplateFile.xlt"

This will open a blank Excel workbook based on the defined template without the splash screen (/e). It will not place data in the new workbook. If you find a solution for that I have a couple of uses.