mcp-server-excel

ExcelMcp is an MCP server that enables AI assistants like Claude and GitHub Copilot to automate Excel through conversational commands. It provides 25 specialized tools covering Power Query, DAX measures, VBA macros, PivotTables, Charts, Excel Tables, and data formatting—with 230 total operations. Unlike third-party libraries that manipulate .xlsx files directly, ExcelMcp uses Excel's official COM API, ensuring complete safety and compatibility. The server runs on Windows with Excel 2016 or later and supports real-time interactive development, allowing you to create queries, inspect results, and refine them instantly. It's designed for data analysts, developers, and business users who need to automate repetitive Excel workflows while maintaining code in version control.

[{"step":"Prepare your Excel file and environment. Ensure the file is accessible at [FILE_PATH] and that Excel is installed on a Windows machine with COM automation enabled. Close all other Excel instances to avoid conflicts.","tip":"Use absolute file paths (e.g., C:\\\\Reports\\\\data.xlsx) to avoid path resolution issues. Enable 'Trust access to the VBA project object model' in Excel's Trust Center settings."},{"step":"Define the automation task in the prompt. Specify the file path, sheet name, and the exact operation (e.g., refresh Power Query, run VBA macro, or update formulas). Use placeholders like [FILE_PATH] for dynamic inputs.","tip":"For complex tasks, break them into smaller steps (e.g., 'First refresh Power Query, then validate data, then save as a new file')."},{"step":"Execute the command using the MCP Excel Server. If using CLI, run: `mcp-excel --file [FILE_PATH] --operation [OPERATION] --output [OUTPUT_PATH]`. For AI tools, paste the prompt directly into the chat interface.","tip":"Add `--verbose` flag to the CLI command to get detailed logs for debugging. For example: `mcp-excel --file C:\\\\Reports\\\\data.xlsx --operation refresh_power_query --verbose`."},{"step":"Review the output and handle any errors. Check the generated report or validation sheet for issues. If errors occur, adjust the prompt or file and retry.","tip":"Use the `Validation_Errors` sheet (if generated) to identify and fix data issues. For VBA-related errors, check the macro code or permissions."},{"step":"Automate recurring tasks by scheduling the command. Use Windows Task Scheduler or a cron job to run the MCP Excel Server command at specified intervals (e.g., daily at 7 AM).","tip":"Test the automation manually first to ensure stability. Use `--dry-run` flag (if available) to simulate the operation without making changes."}]