README.md
A cross-platform MCP server for reading, writing, and formatting Excel files.
Excel MCP Server
A cross-platform MCP server for reading, writing, and formatting Excel files. Works with both open Excel workbooks (live) and closed .xlsx files (no Excel needed).
Two Modes
workbook— Operate on an open Excel workbook in real-time via xlwingspath— Edit closed .xlsx files directly using pure Python (preserves images, charts, and all embedded content)
Tools
| Tool | workbook | path | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
get_excel_info |
- | - | (none) |
read_cells |
OK | OK | range |
write_cells |
OK | OK | range, value |
format_cells |
OK | OK | range, format |
execute_vba |
OK | - | workbook, code |
Requirements
- Node.js 18+
- Python 3.8+
- xlwings (for live Excel mode —
pip install xlwings) - Microsoft Excel (only needed for
workbookmode andexecute_vba)
Works on Windows and macOS. The path mode also works on Linux.
Installation
git clone https://github.com/kousunh/excel-mcp-server.git
cd excel-mcp-server
npm install
pip install -r scripts/requirements.txt
Configure MCP Client
Add to your MCP client config (Claude Desktop, Cursor, etc.):
{
"mcpServers": {
"excel-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/excel-mcp-server/src/index.js"]
}
}
}
To use a specific Python executable, set the EXCEL_MCP_PYTHON environment variable:
{
"mcpServers": {
"excel-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/excel-mcp-server/src/index.js"],
"env": {
"EXCEL_MCP_PYTHON": "/path/to/python"
}
}
}
}
Usage
Closed files (path mode)
read_cells path="/data/report.xlsx" range="A1:D20" formats=true
write_cells path="/data/report.xlsx" range="A1:C3" value=[["Name","Age","City"],["Alice",30,"NYC"],["Bob",25,"LA"]]
format_cells path="/data/report.xlsx" range="A1:C1" format={"bold":true,"backgroundColor":"#4472C4","fontColor":"#FFFFFF"}
No Excel installation required. Images, charts, and shapes are preserved.
Open workbooks (workbook mode)
get_excel_info
read_cells workbook="Sales.xlsx" range="B2:F10"
write_cells workbook="Sales.xlsx" range="G2" value="=SUM(B2:F2)"
execute_vba workbook="Sales.xlsx" code="Range(\"A1:G10\").AutoFilter"
Requires Excel to be running with the workbook open.
License
MIT
Tools (5)
get_excel_infoRetrieves information about the current Excel environment.read_cellsReads data from a specified range in an Excel file or workbook.write_cellsWrites values to a specified range in an Excel file or workbook.format_cellsApplies formatting to a specified range of cells.execute_vbaExecutes VBA code within an open Excel workbook.Environment Variables
EXCEL_MCP_PYTHONPath to the specific Python executable to use.Configuration
claude_desktop_config.json
{"mcpServers": {"excel-mcp": {"command": "node", "args": ["/path/to/excel-mcp-server/src/index.js"]}}}Try it
→Read the data from range A1:D20 in the file /data/report.xlsx.
→Write the following data to the open workbook Sales.xlsx starting at cell G2: [['Name', 'Age'], ['Alice', 30]].
→Format the range A1:C1 in /data/report.xlsx to have a bold font and a blue background.
→Execute a VBA macro in Sales.xlsx to apply an AutoFilter to the range A1:G10.