SheetForge MCP is an Excel MCP server for `.xlsx` automation over the Model Context Protocol. It is built for AI agents, MCP clients, and automation
Connect Sheetforge MCP to Claude, Cursor or any other MCP client and it stops being a tab you switch to. SheetForge MCP is an Excel MCP server for .xlsx automation over the Model Context Protocol. It is built for AI agents, MCP clients, and automation workflows that need more than raw cell access: compact structured reads, workbook-aware. The sheetforge mcp mcp server is what makes that connection.
sheetforge-mcp on PyPI is all you need. Most clients run it directly, so configuration is a few lines and a restart.
The toolset is worth reading before you wire it up, because it tells you what the integration is really for:
agent — friendly reads via suggest_read_strategy, describe_dataset, query_table, and aggregate_tablelocal — first performance and privacy with openpyxl, no desktop Excel dependency, and no cloud-auth requirementsuggest_read_strategy — recommends the best next read tool for a workbook target, including whether SheetForge should treat it as a native Excel table, a clean worksheetdescribe_dataset — samples a worksheet or native Excel table and returns headers, schema hints, key-candidate guesses, structural signals, and a recommended follow-upquery_table — filters, projects, sorts, and limits worksheet-shaped data or native Excel tables with a declarative JSON query instead of ad hoc cell loopsaggregate_table — computes grouped metrics such as count, sum, avg, min, and max over worksheet-shaped data or native Excel tablesbulk_aggregate_workbooks — computes the same grouped metrics across many workbook files in one call, with explicit schema handling via strict, intersect, or unionbulk_filter_workbooks — returns matching rows across many workbook files with optional source provenance columns, so recurring cross-file QA and reporting checks no longerunion_tables — combines comparable worksheet or native-table rows across many workbook files, with optional deduplication keys and explicit schema handling forcross_workbook_lookup — enriches one workbook dataset from one or more lookup workbooks with left-join style matching, optional duplicate-match handling, and compact per-rowprofile_workbook — one-call inventory for sheets, tables, charts, named ranges, and key layout/protection state, including chart occupied_range for grid-anchoreddescribe_sheet_layout — worksheet-level structural summary for safe dashboard edits, including freeze panes, print settings, merges, chart anchors, table metadataConfiguration is passed through the environment: EXCEL_FILES_PATH, FASTMCP_HOST. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.
3.10+ - .xlsx workbooks - either uvx or a local package installAmong the developer tooling options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Sheetforge MCP's toolset — agent, local, suggest_read_strategy and 11 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by iheldan; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.
SyncDev reviews every entry in this directory against the project's own documentation before publishing, and revisits them as servers change.
| Tool | What it does |
|---|---|
| agent | friendly reads via suggest_read_strategy, describe_dataset, query_table, and aggregate_table |
| local | first performance and privacy with openpyxl, no desktop Excel dependency, and no cloud-auth requirement |
| suggest_read_strategy | recommends the best next read tool for a workbook target, including whether SheetForge should treat it as a native Excel table, a clean worksheet dataset, a layout-heavy dashboard sheet, or a chart sheet |
| describe_dataset | samples a worksheet or native Excel table and returns headers, schema hints, key-candidate guesses, structural signals, and a recommended follow-up read path |
| query_table | filters, projects, sorts, and limits worksheet-shaped data or native Excel tables with a declarative JSON query instead of ad hoc cell loops |
| aggregate_table | computes grouped metrics such as count, sum, avg, min, and max over worksheet-shaped data or native Excel tables |
| bulk_aggregate_workbooks | computes the same grouped metrics across many workbook files in one call, with explicit schema handling via strict, intersect, or union |
| bulk_filter_workbooks | returns matching rows across many workbook files with optional source provenance columns, so recurring cross-file QA and reporting checks no longer need one-tool-call-per-file loops |
| union_tables | combines comparable worksheet or native-table rows across many workbook files, with optional deduplication keys and explicit schema handling for workbook collections that drift over time |
| cross_workbook_lookup | enriches one workbook dataset from one or more lookup workbooks with left-join style matching, optional duplicate-match handling, and compact per-row provenance for matched lookup rows |
| profile_workbook | one-call inventory for sheets, tables, charts, named ranges, and key layout/protection state, including chart occupied_range for grid-anchored worksheet charts |
| describe_sheet_layout | worksheet-level structural summary for safe dashboard edits, including freeze panes, print settings, merges, chart anchors, table metadata, conditional-format and validation counts, custom row/column sizing, and a small |
| audit_workbook | workbook-level audit for high-signal problems such as broken #REF! formulas, error cells, hidden sheets, header-quality issues, layout-heavy sheets, and named ranges that reference missing sheets |
| plan_workbook_repairs | converts workbook audit findings into prioritized next steps, including suggested SheetForge tool calls for inspection, safe dry runs, and repair workflows |
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excel": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["sheetforge-mcp", "stdio"]
}
}
}Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.
3.10+ - .xlsx workbooks - either uvx or a local package install| Variable | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| EXCEL_FILES_PATH | Filesystem location the server is allowed to use. | Optional |
| FASTMCP_HOST | Endpoint or connection string the server talks to. | Optional |
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