Excel MCP Server vs Excel Vision MCP

read_excel_data

Read cell data from an Excel sheet with pagination for large files. Returns cell values organized by row with coordinate labels and formatting markers ([B]=bold, [S]=strikethrough, [HL:color]=highlight, [C:color]=font color) that reveal the author's emphasis and status marks. Hidden rows/columns are skipped by default — the author hid them for a reason — except hidden cells that visible formulas depend on, which are kept and marked [HIDDEN-REF]. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx file. @param sheet_name: Sheet to read. None = first/active sheet. @param start_row: Starting row number (1-indexed). @param max_rows: Maximum rows to return (default 200). @param include_hidden: Set true to also read hidden rows/columns. @return: Formatted text table with cell values and formatting markers.

extract_images

Extract all embedded images from an Excel file. Uses dual extraction strategy: cell-position mapping (primary) and ZIP archive scanning (fallback) to ensure no images are missed. Returns images as base64-encoded ImageContent that AI can visually analyze. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx file. @param sheet_name: Specific sheet, or None for all sheets. @param max_width: Max width in pixels for image optimization (default 1024). @param max_height: Max height in pixels for image optimization (default 1024). @return: Mixed list of TextContent (metadata) and ImageContent (images).

read_full_content

Read the FULL content of an Excel file including all text data AND embedded images. This is the primary tool for comprehensive document analysis. Returns all sheet data as structured text followed by all extracted images with their cell positions. Ideal for analyzing documents where both text and diagrams/screenshots are essential, such as requirement definitions, reports, or design specs. For very large files, data is paginated per sheet. Image extraction uses dual strategy (cell-mapping + archive) for maximum coverage. Cell text carries formatting markers ([B]=bold, [S]=strikethrough, [HL:color]= highlight) so emphasis and status marks survive into the analysis. Hidden rows/columns are skipped by default, except hidden cells that visible formulas depend on. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx file. @param max_rows_per_sheet: Max rows to read per sheet (default 500). @param max_image_width: Max width for image optimization (default 1024). @param max_image_height: Max height for image optimization (default 1024). @param include_hidden: Set true to also read hidden rows/columns. @return: Mixed list of TextContent and ImageContent covering entire workbook.

get_workbook_overview

Get a quick summary overview of an Excel workbook. Returns file metadata, sheet list with dimensions, image count, and merged cell information. Use this for a fast assessment before deeper analysis. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx file. @return: Formatted text summary.

search_excel

Search for text content across all cells in an Excel workbook. Performs case-insensitive substring search and returns matching cells with their coordinates and values. Hidden rows/columns are excluded by default. Limited to 100 results. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx file. @param query: Text to search for. @param sheet_name: Limit to specific sheet, or None for all sheets. @param include_hidden: Set true to also search hidden rows/columns. @return: Formatted text with search results.

create_excel_file

Create a new empty .xlsx workbook. @param file_path: Absolute destination path; parent directory must exist. @param sheet_names: Sheet names to create in order. None = single "Sheet1". @param overwrite: Set true to replace an existing file. Default false. @return: Confirmation with the created sheet list.

add_excel_sheet

Add a new empty sheet to an existing workbook. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx/.xlsm file. @param sheet_name: Name for the new sheet; must not already exist. @param position: 0-based index to insert at. None = append at the end. @return: Confirmation with the updated sheet list.

update_excel_cells

Set individual cells by coordinate, e.g. {"A1": "Title", "B2": 42}. String values starting with "=" are written as formulas (e.g. "=SUM(A1:A5)"). Note: newly written formulas have no calculated value until the file is opened in Excel. For cells inside a merged range, write to the range's top-left anchor cell. The save is atomic — a failed write never corrupts the original file. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx/.xlsm file. @param updates: Mapping of cell coordinate to value. @param sheet_name: Target sheet. None = first sheet. @return: Confirmation with the number of cells written.

write_excel_rows

Write a rectangular block of rows starting at start_cell. Efficient for tabular data: pass a list of rows, each a list of values. Existing cells in the target range are overwritten; cells outside it are untouched. The save is atomic. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx/.xlsm file. @param rows: List of rows, each a list of cell values. @param sheet_name: Target sheet. None = first sheet. @param start_cell: Top-left coordinate of the block (default "A1"). @return: Confirmation with the written range.

insert_excel_image

Insert an image from a local file into a workbook, anchored at a cell. @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx/.xlsm file. @param image_path: Absolute path to the image file (PNG/JPEG/GIF/BMP). @param cell: Anchor cell coordinate (e.g. "B2"). @param sheet_name: Target sheet. None = first sheet. @param width: Display width in pixels. None = natural size. @param height: Display height in pixels. None = natural size. @return: Confirmation with anchor position and display size.

format_excel_cells

Apply formatting to a cell range: font, colors, borders, alignment, number format. Only the attributes you pass are changed; existing styling is preserved. Example — style a header row: cell_range="A1:D1", bold=true, font_color="FFFFFF", fill_color="4472C4", horizontal_align="center", border_style="thin". @param file_path: Absolute path to the .xlsx/.xlsm file. @param cell_range: Range like "A1:C10" or a single cell like "B2". @param sheet_name: Target sheet. None = first sheet. @param font_name: Font family (e.g. "Calibri"). @param font_size: Font size in points. @param bold: Bold on/off. @param italic: Italic on/off. @param font_color: Text color, RRGGBB hex (e.g. "FFFFFF"). @param fill_color: Background color, RRGGBB hex (e.g. "4472C4"). @param border_style: thin, medium, thick, double, dashed, or dotted. @param border_edges: "all" = every cell; "outline" = outer edge of range only. @param horizontal_align: left, center, right, or justify. @param vertical_align: top, center, or bottom. @param wrap_text: Enable/disable text wrapping. @param number_format: Excel format code (e.g. "#,##0.00", "dd/mm/yyyy", "0%"). @return: Confirmation with the number of cells formatted.