Excel MCP Server

What is Excel MCP Server?

Excel MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that reads and writes MS Excel data. It integrates with Excel workbooks in formats such as xlsx, xlsm, xltx, and xltm. It is designed for developers using MCP-compatible clients like Claude Desktop.

How to use Excel MCP Server?

Install via npm (npx @negokaz/excel-mcp-server) or via Smithery. Add the server configuration to your MCP client's mcpServers block, specifying the command as npx (or cmd on Windows) with the appropriate arguments. Use the provided tools (e.g., excel_read_sheet, excel_write_to_sheet) to interact with Excel files by providing file paths and range parameters.

Key features of Excel MCP Server

• Read and write text values in cells
• Read and write formulas (strings starting with "=")
• Create new sheets and copy existing sheets
• Create tables within a sheet
• Format cells with borders, fonts, fills, and number formats (Windows only: live editing, screen capture)

Use cases of Excel MCP Server

• Programmatically reading data from an Excel sheet for analysis
• Writing computed results or generated formulas back to a workbook
• Automating the creation of formatted tables and reports
• Copying sheets to duplicate or reorganize workbook content
• Applying consistent styling to ranges in an Excel file

FAQ from Excel MCP Server

What runtime does Excel MCP Server require?

Node.js 20.x or later is required to run the server.

Which Excel file formats are supported?

Supported formats include .xlsx (Excel book), .xlsm (macro-enabled book), .xltx (template), and .xltm (macro-enabled template).

Can I control how many cells are read per page?

Yes. Set the environment variable EXCEL_MCP_PAGING_CELLS_LIMIT to adjust the maximum number of cells read in a single paging operation (default 4000).

Are all features available on any operating system?

Live editing and screen capture tools are only available on Windows. All other tools work cross-platform.

How do I write to a sheet without overwriting existing content?

Use excel_write_to_sheet with newSheet: false to write to an existing sheet. Use a specific range to target only the cells you want to modify.