Excel MCP Server

Install the Excel MCP server

Every client runs the same command, uvx excel-mcp-server stdio, which needs uv (the Claude Desktop bundle does not). Add --allow-dir to choose the one folder the server may read and write; replace /path/to/workbooks below with yours.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "excel": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["excel-mcp-server", "stdio", "--allow-dir", "/path/to/workbooks"]
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add excel --scope user -- uvx excel-mcp-server stdio --allow-dir /path/to/workbooks

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "excel": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["excel-mcp-server", "stdio", "--allow-dir", "/path/to/workbooks"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "servers": {
    "excel": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["excel-mcp-server", "stdio", "--allow-dir", "${workspaceFolder}"]
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "excel": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["excel-mcp-server", "stdio", "--allow-dir", "/path/to/workbooks"]
    }
  }
}

codex mcp add excel -- uvx excel-mcp-server stdio --allow-dir /path/to/workbooks
gemini mcp add -s user excel uvx excel-mcp-server stdio --allow-dir /path/to/workbooks
devin mcp add -s user excel -- uvx excel-mcp-server stdio --allow-dir /path/to/workbooks

uvx excel-mcp-server streamable-http --allow-dir /srv/workbooks

EXCEL_MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=change-me uvx excel-mcp-server streamable-http --host 0.0.0.0

git clone https://github.com/haris-musa/excel-mcp-server
cd excel-mcp-server
docker build -t excel-mcp-server .
docker run -p 8017:8017 -v "$PWD/workbooks:/data" -e EXCEL_MCP_AUTH_TOKEN=change-me excel-mcp-server

Quick start: from install to your first Excel file

• Install the server in your client, as above, and restart the client if it asks.
• Check it is connected. Ask: "List the Excel files in my workbook folder." The assistant should call list_workbooks.
• Describe what you want in plain language. Some prompts to try:

• "Create sales.xlsx from this CSV text, make the header a table, and add a column chart of revenue by month."
• "Build a PivotTable from the Orders sheet: regions down the side, months across, sum of revenue, and add a slicer for product category."
• "Add a total row with formulas, then read the results back so I can check them."
• "Open report.xlsx, a sheet with 200,000 rows. How many rows have status Failed, and what is the date range?"
• "Clean up the Contacts sheet: remove duplicate emails, trim names, sort by last name and add a dropdown for the Country column."
• "Highlight overdue tasks in red, add sparklines for the weekly trend, and freeze the header row."

Features: what AI can do with your Excel files

Tool reference

The server offers these tools. Every parameter is documented in TOOLS.md.

Workbooks

create_workbook, describe_workbook, set_workbook_settings, list_workbooks, export_workbook, import_workbook: create files, list sheets and settings, move files to and from remote servers.

Sheets

describe_sheet, create_sheet, rename_sheet, copy_sheet, delete_sheet, insert_rows_or_columns, delete_rows_or_columns: inspect a sheet and change its structure, with references updated.

Cells

read_range, write_range, clear_range, copy_range, sort_range, transform_range, find_cells, replace_cells: read in pages, write values and formulas, copy, sort, deduplicate, fill, search and replace.

Formatting

format_range, merge_cells, set_sheet_layout, add_conditional_format, add_data_validation: styles, widths, panes, filters, printing, protection, rules and dropdowns.

Objects

set_table, create_chart, delete_chart, create_pivot_table, delete_pivot_table, add_slicer, delete_slicer, insert_image, delete_image, add_sparklines, delete_sparklines: tables, charts, PivotTables, slicers, pictures and sparklines.

Names and notes

set_defined_name, delete_defined_name, set_note, delete_note.

Macros

read_vba; with --allow-vba-write also write_vba_module and delete_vba_module.

Configuration options

Security

The server only opens Excel files, and with --allow-dir only inside the folders you choose. Formulas are checked before they are written, and functions that reach the network or other programs are rejected. Macros are never run, and writing them is opt-in. Cell contents are treated as data, but an assistant can still be misled by text in a workbook, so use --read-only or a narrow folder with files you do not trust. Read the security policy for details and how to report a vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions