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).
Overview
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). - — Operate on an open Excel workbook in real-time via xlwings - — Edit closed .xlsx files directly using pure Python (preserves images, charts, and all embedded content) - 18+ - 3.8+ - (for live Excel mode — pip install xlwings) - (only needed for workbook mode and execute_vba) Works on and . The path mode also works on Linux. Add to your MCP client config (Claude Desktop, Cursor, etc.): To use a specific Python executable, set the EXCEL_MCP_PYTHON environment variable: No Excel installation required. Images, charts, and shapes are preserved. Requires Excel to be running with the workbook open.
README
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
Install
This server does not publish a one-line install command.
Open the repository installation guide New to MCP? Start with the mcpskill.org guide →Configuration
{
"mcpServers": {
"excel-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/excel-mcp-server/src/index.js"]
}
}
}