excel-sheet

Skill Paths

• Workspace skills: .github/skills/
• Global skills: C:/Users/LOQ/.agents/skills/

Comprehensive skill for working with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets using MCP servers.

When to Use This Skill

• Any task where .xlsx is an input, output, or transformation target
• Creating, editing, formatting, or analyzing Excel files
• Building workbooks from data or templates
• Applying consistent formatting and formulas
• Automating Excel workflows via MCP tools

Typical Activation Triggers

• .xlsx work: spreadsheets, workbooks, worksheets, data analysis
• Cell operations: read, write, format, merge/unmerge
• Worksheet management: create, copy, delete, rename
• Analysis: charts, pivot tables, formulas

Part 1: Excel Spreadsheets (.xlsx) via MCP

Quick Reference

Note: There is no activate_workbook_management — workbook creation is part of activate_worksheet_management_tools.

Tool Activation Order

activate_worksheet_management_tools();  // workbook + sheet management, charts, pivot tables
activate_cell_management_tools();        // cell CRUD, formatting, merge/unmerge, delete rows
activate_column_management_tools();      // insert/delete columns

Workbook and Worksheet Operations

// Create a new workbook
mcp_excel_create_workbook({ filename: "report.xlsx" })

// Create worksheets (call per sheet needed)
mcp_excel_create_worksheet({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary" })
mcp_excel_create_worksheet({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Raw Data" })
mcp_excel_create_worksheet({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Charts" })

// Copy a worksheet (good for applying template structure)
mcp_excel_copy_worksheet({ filename: "report.xlsx", source_sheet: "Summary", destination_sheet: "Summary_Q2" })

// Rename a worksheet
mcp_excel_rename_worksheet({ filename: "report.xlsx", old_name: "Sheet1", new_name: "Dashboard" })

// Delete a worksheet
mcp_excel_delete_worksheet({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Sheet1" })

Cell Content: Write, Copy, Delete

Activate: activate_cell_management_tools()

// Write a value or formula to a cell
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", cell: "B2", value: "Revenue" })
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", cell: "C2", value: 1800000 })
// Write a formula
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", cell: "D2", value: "=C2-B2" })

// Copy a cell range to another location (e.g. duplicate template rows)
mcp_excel_copy_range({
  filename: "report.xlsx",
  sheet_name: "Raw Data",
  source_range: "A1:F1",           // header row
  destination_cell: "A100"          // paste starting cell
})

// Delete a cell range (clear content)
mcp_excel_delete_range({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Raw Data", range: "G2:G50" })

// Delete an entire row (rows shift up)
mcp_excel_delete_row({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Raw Data", row_index: 5 })

Cell Formatting

// Format a single cell (header style)
mcp_excel_format_cell({
  filename: "report.xlsx",
  sheet_name: "Summary",
  cell: "A1",
  bold: true,
  font_size: 12,
  font_color: "FFFFFF",
  bg_color: "1B3A5C",
  alignment: "center",
  border: "thin"
})

// Format a range (apply consistent styling across headers)
mcp_excel_format_range({
  filename: "report.xlsx",
  sheet_name: "Summary",
  range: "A1:F1",
  bold: true,
  font_color: "FFFFFF",
  bg_color: "1B3A5C",
  alignment: "center"
})

// Format data rows (alternate shading — apply to even rows manually or via range loop)
mcp_excel_format_range({
  filename: "report.xlsx",
  sheet_name: "Summary",
  range: "A2:F2",
  bg_color: "D6EAF8"
})

Merge and Unmerge Cells

// Merge cells for a section header spanning columns
mcp_excel_merge_cells({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", range: "A1:F1" })

// Unmerge if editing is needed
mcp_excel_unmerge_cells({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", range: "A1:F1" })

Column Management

Activate: activate_column_management_tools()

// Insert a blank column before column C (index 2, 0-based)
mcp_excel_insert_column({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", column_index: 2 })

// Delete a column (e.g. remove a scratch column)
mcp_excel_delete_column({ filename: "report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Summary", column_index: 6 })

Charts

Activate: activate_worksheet_management_tools()

// Add a chart to a worksheet
mcp_excel_create_chart({
  filename: "report.xlsx",
  sheet_name: "Charts",
  chart_type: "bar",         // bar | line | pie | column | area
  data_sheet: "Summary",
  data_range: "A1:D5",
  title: "Revenue by Quarter",
  position: { left: 1, top: 1, width: 8, height: 5 }  // inches
})

Pivot Tables

// Create a pivot table from raw data
mcp_excel_create_pivot_table({
  filename: "report.xlsx",
  source_sheet: "Raw Data",
  source_range: "A1:F200",
  destination_sheet: "Pivot",
  destination_cell: "A3",
  rows: ["Region", "Product"],
  columns: ["Quarter"],
  values: [{ field: "Revenue", aggregation: "sum" }]
})

End-to-End Excel Workbook Workflow

// ── 1. Activate ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
activate_worksheet_management_tools();
activate_cell_management_tools();
activate_column_management_tools();

// ── 2. Create workbook and sheets ────────────────────────────────
mcp_excel_create_workbook({ filename: "q3_report.xlsx" })
mcp_excel_rename_worksheet({ filename: "q3_report.xlsx", old_name: "Sheet1", new_name: "Summary" })
mcp_excel_create_worksheet({ filename: "q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Raw Data" })
mcp_excel_create_worksheet({ filename: "q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name: "Charts" })

// ── 3. Write headers (Summary sheet) ─────────────────────────────
const headers = [["Region","Q1","Q2","Q3","Total","Change%"]]
// write each header cell then format the range
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", cell:"A1", value:"Region" })
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", cell:"F1", value:"Change%" })
mcp_excel_format_range({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", range:"A1:F1",
  bold:true, font_color:"FFFFFF", bg_color:"1B3A5C", alignment:"center" })

// ── 4. Write data rows + formulas ────────────────────────────────
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", cell:"A2", value:"APAC" })
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", cell:"B2", value:1200000 })
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", cell:"E2", value:"=SUM(B2:D2)" })
mcp_excel_write_cell({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", cell:"F2", value:"=(D2-B2)/B2" })

// ── 5. Style data rows (alternating) ─────────────────────────────
mcp_excel_format_range({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", range:"A2:F2", bg_color:"D6EAF8" })
mcp_excel_format_range({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Summary", range:"A3:F3", bg_color:"FFFFFF" })

// ── 6. Add chart ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
mcp_excel_create_chart({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx", sheet_name:"Charts",
  chart_type:"column", data_sheet:"Summary", data_range:"A1:D5",
  title:"Revenue by Region & Quarter", position:{ left:1, top:1, width:9, height:5 } })

// ── 7. Pivot table ───────────────────────────────────────────────
mcp_excel_create_pivot_table({ filename:"q3_report.xlsx",
  source_sheet:"Raw Data", source_range:"A1:F200",
  destination_sheet:"Summary", destination_cell:"A20",
  rows:["Region"], columns:["Quarter"], values:[{ field:"Revenue", aggregation:"sum" }] })

Part 2: Workbook Structure Standards

Excel Workbook Structure

1. Summary Sheet: Key metrics and insights
2. Data Source Sheet: Raw data
3. Calculations Sheet: Formulas and logic
4. Analysis Sheets: Pivot tables, charts
5. Documentation Sheet: Assumptions and notes

Formatting Standards

Fonts

• Headings: Bold, larger (12-14pt)
• Body: Readable size (10-11pt)
• Consistency: Use same font families throughout

Colors

• Headers: Brand color background, white text
• Data rows: Alternating colors for readability
• Highlights: Use for key metrics or alerts

Spacing

• Consistent column widths: Auto-fit or standard widths
• Row heights: appropriate for content
• Alignment: Left for text, right for numbers

Part 3: Quality Checklist

## Excel Quality Checklist

### Structure
- [ ] Separate sheets: Summary | Raw Data | Charts | (Pivot)
- [ ] Sheet 1 renamed from "Sheet1" to "Summary" or "Dashboard"
- [ ] Header row formatted (bold, brand color bg, white text)
- [ ] Header row frozen (row 1) where needed

### Data Integrity
- [ ] Formulas used for totals/ratios (never hardcoded)
- [ ] No merged cells inside data ranges (only in header/title areas)
- [ ] Consistent column data types (all numbers, all dates, etc.)
- [ ] Empty rows/columns cleaned up (delete_row / delete_column)

### Analysis
- [ ] Chart added to Charts sheet with clear title and labeled axes
- [ ] Pivot table added for large datasets
- [ ] Alternating row shading applied for readability

### Validation
- [ ] Formulas reference correct sheet and range (test with sample values)
- [ ] Pivot table source range includes all data rows
- [ ] Chart data range verified to match actual data

Part 4: Common Excel Formulas

Lookup Formulas

VLOOKUP

=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

Examples:

=VLOOKUP("SKU-100", A2:D50, 3, FALSE)
  → Find SKU-100 in column A, return value from column C

=VLOOKUP(B2, Products!A:E, 4, FALSE)
  → Cross-sheet lookup; find B2's value in Products sheet column A, return column D

XLOOKUP

=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])

Examples:

=XLOOKUP("Widget", B2:B100, E2:E100, "Not found")
  → Search B column for "Widget", return corresponding E value

=XLOOKUP(TODAY(), A2:A100, B2:B100, , -1)
  → Find today's date or nearest earlier date, return column B

Math Formulas

SUM

=SUM(A1:A100)                    → Sum a range
=SUM(A1:A100, C1:C100)           → Sum multiple ranges

SUMIF / SUMIFS

=SUMIF(range, criteria, [sum_range])
=SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2, criteria2, ...])

Examples:

=SUMIF(B2:B100, "Electronics", D2:D100)
  → Sum column D where column B = "Electronics"

=SUMIFS(E2:E100, B2:B100, "West", C2:C100, ">=2025-01-01")
  → Sum E where region is "West" AND date ≥ Jan 1 2025

Text Formulas

CONCATENATE / CONCAT / TEXTJOIN

=CONCATENATE(A1, " ", B1)          → "John Smith" (legacy)
=CONCAT(A1, " ", B1)               → Same, modern
=A1 & " " & B1                     → Operator shorthand

=TEXTJOIN(", ", TRUE, A1:A10)
  → Join non-empty cells with comma+space: "Alpha, Beta, Gamma"

Date Formulas

TODAY / NOW

=TODAY()          → Current date (no time)
=NOW()            → Current date and time
=TODAY() + 30     → 30 days from today

DATEDIF

=DATEDIF(start_date, end_date, unit)

Examples:

=DATEDIF(A1, TODAY(), "Y")         → Years since date in A1
=DATEDIF(A1, A2, "M")             → Months between two dates

Statistical Formulas

AVERAGE / MEDIAN

=AVERAGE(A1:A100)                → Arithmetic mean
=AVERAGEIF(B1:B100, ">0")       → Average of positive values only
=MEDIAN(A1:A100)                 → Middle value

COUNT / COUNTA / COUNTIF / COUNTIFS

=COUNT(A1:A100)                                → Count numeric cells
=COUNTA(A1:A100)                               → Count non-empty cells
=COUNTIF(B1:B100, "Complete")                  → Count cells matching criteria
=COUNTIF(C1:C100, ">500")                      → Count cells > 500
=COUNTIFS(B1:B100, "East", C1:C100, ">1000")   → Multiple criteria

Conditional Formulas

IF

=IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)

Examples:

=IF(A1>=90, "A", IF(A1>=80, "B", IF(A1>=70, "C", "F")))
  → Nested grade assignment

=IF(AND(B1>0, C1>0), B1*C1, 0)
  → Multiply only if both positive

IFS (Excel 2019+)

Evaluates multiple conditions in order — first TRUE wins.

=IFS(A1>=90, "A", A1>=80, "B", A1>=70, "C", TRUE, "F")
  → Cleaner than nested IF; TRUE acts as default/else

Part 5: MCP Tool Activation Guide

Activation Commands

When working with Excel spreadsheets, use these MCP activation patterns:

// Excel documents (no activate_workbook_management — worksheet tools cover workbook creation)
activate_worksheet_management_tools();  // create workbook, worksheets, charts, pivot tables
activate_cell_management_tools();        // write/copy/delete cells, formatting, merge/unmerge
activate_column_management_tools();      // insert/delete columns

Workflow Examples

Template-Based Workbook Generation

1. Start with template (Excel)
2. Copy template to new filename
3. Write data to appropriate cells
4. Apply formulas for calculations
5. Apply formatting consistently across sheets
6. Save final version

Part 6: Best Practices

MCP-Specific Best Practices

• Activate tools as needed: Enable MCP tool groups only when required to avoid unnecessary overhead
• Validate operations: Confirm operations completed successfully, especially for batch operations
• Handle errors gracefully: Catch and report MCP tool errors with context for troubleshooting
• Batch operations: Use array-based operations when available for efficiency
• Document file paths: Use clear, relative paths and maintain documentation of file locations

Excel Best Practices

• Use formulas: Never hardcode calculated values
• Consistent formatting: Apply same styles across sheets
• Clear naming: Use descriptive sheet and range names
• Data validation: Use dropdown lists and constraints
• Test formulas: Verify with sample data before distribution

References & Resources

Documentation

• Excel Formulas Reference — Excel formula patterns and Power Query M basics

Examples

• Excel Workbook Examples — Examples of creating workbooks programmatically

Scripts

• CSV to XLSX Converter — Python script to convert CSV files to formatted Excel workbooks

Usage

# Basic usage
python csv-to-xlsx.py input.csv

# Specify output file
python csv-to-xlsx.py input.csv -o output.xlsx

# Custom header colors
python csv-to-xlsx.py input.csv --header-color 2E74B5 --header-font-color FFFFFF

# Generate chart from numeric columns
python csv-to-xlsx.py input.csv --chart --chart-type bar

Requirements

pip install openpyxl