ExcelMcp
MCP server and CLI to drive real Microsoft Excel: Power Query, DAX, VBA, PivotTables and charts
High risk
We rate an entry high when the tool writes to external systems, handles money, production databases or secrets, or runs arbitrary commands. The CLI installs it only with your consent.
Why this level
- Drives the real Excel application and changes workbook files
- Runs VBA and Python in Excel, that is arbitrary code
Install
Manual install
On Windows install ExcelMcp per excelmcpserver.dev: the VS Code extension, the MCP server for your client or the CLI, then connect the server to the agent as MCP.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
ExcelMcp gives an AI agent control over a real Microsoft Excel application through MCP or a CLI. It runs operations on workbooks and sheets, builds PivotTables and charts, works with Power Query, the data model and DAX, runs VBA and Python in Excel and applies Goal Seek, scenarios and data tables. The server is built on .NET over Excel COM automation, so it needs Windows with Excel and an interactive desktop. It ships as a VS Code extension, an MCP server for clients and a CLI for agents and scripts.
Who it is for. For analysts and finance people on Windows who need to automate real Excel workbooks through an agent.
Good fit when
- You need to build PivotTables, charts or a data model in real Excel
- You need to run Power Query, DAX or VBA from the agent
- You need Excel workbook automation on Windows
Not a fit when
- You run Linux or macOS or need server-side batch processing
- Reading xlsx without a running Excel is enough
Example request
Build a quarterly sales PivotTable in this workbook and add a chart by regionLimitations
It requires Windows, Microsoft Excel 2016 or later, an interactive desktop and .NET 10, and is not meant for Linux, macOS or server-side batch. It works through COM automation, so Excel launches as an application. Running VBA and Python in Excel executes arbitrary code in the workbook.
How to disable. Remove the VS Code extension or the MCP entry from the client config; for the CLI, uninstall the installed package.
MCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Security check
- Drives the real Excel application and changes workbook files
- Runs VBA and Python in Excel, that is arbitrary code
README in short
The README presents ExcelMcp as an MCP server and CLI for automating real Microsoft Excel with hundreds of operations. It supports Power Query, DAX, VBA, Python in Excel, PivotTables, charts, Goal Seek, scenarios, data tables and XML Maps. It installs three ways: a VS Code extension, an MCP server for clients like Claude Desktop and a CLI for agents and scripts. It states the requirement of Windows, Excel 2016 or later and an interactive desktop, with Linux and macOS unsupported.
FAQ
Does it work on macOS or Linux?
No. It needs Windows with Microsoft Excel 2016 or later and an interactive desktop; server-side batch is not supported.
Does it open real Excel?
Yes. The server drives the actual Excel application through COM rather than parsing a file in the background.
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