Summary
Two modes, because the file you need to change is not always closed.
Path mode edits .xlsx directly and leaves charts and images intact; workbook mode reaches into the copy you have open in Excel, VBA included — so the assistant works on the spreadsheet as it actually exists.
What it is
A spreadsheet server with two modes. Path mode edits closed .xlsx files in pure Python and preserves images, charts and embedded content; workbook mode drives an Excel instance you already have open, through xlwings.
What you get
- Cell ranges read back, with or without their formatting
- Values and formulas written to a range, in either mode
- Formatting applied to a range — bold, background colour, font colour and the rest
- VBA executed against an open workbook, for the operations only Excel itself can do
- The state of what is open reported back, so the workbook being edited is the one you meant
Requirements
Node.js 18+ and Python 3.8+. xlwings is needed only for live workbook mode, and Microsoft Excel itself only for workbook mode and VBA. Windows and macOS for both modes; path mode also runs on Linux.
Setup effort
One command — npx -y excel-mcp-server