MCP Directory

How to add ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel to Claude Desktop

Automate Excel via AI - Power Query, DAX, VBA, PivotTables, charts through Excel's native COM API (Windows only). Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 196★ · stdio · no auth

Claude Desktop config for ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel

dotnet tool install --global Sbroenne.ExcelMcp.McpServer
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "excelmcp---mcp-server-for-microsoft-excel": {
      "command": "mcp-excel",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

  1. 1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
  2. 2Paste the ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
  3. 3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
  4. 4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
  5. 5Open a chat and confirm ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

  • Windows 10 or later (COM interop is Windows-specific)
  • Microsoft Excel 2016 or later (Desktop) installed
  • Desktop environment (controls a real Excel process; not for server-side use)
  • Self-contained mcp-excel.exe needs no .NET runtime; NuGet dotnet tool install requires the .NET 10 runtime
  • Optional: MSOLAP / Power BI Desktop for DAX query execution (evaluate, execute-dmv)
  • Optional: Node.js for npx-based auto-configuration and skills

What ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel can do in Claude Desktop

files

Session management and workbook lifecycle: list sessions, open (returns session ID), close, close workbook, create empty .xlsx/.xlsm, test/verify a workbook (incl. IRM/AIP detection). 6 operations.

calculation

Get/set calculation mode (automatic, manual, semi-automatic) and explicitly recalculate a workbook, sheet, or range. 3 operations.

power_query

Atomic Power Query and M-code workflows: list, view, create (import+load), update, rename, refresh, refresh all, load-to destination, get load config, unload, delete, and evaluate M code directly. 12 operations.

data_model

Data Model / DAX (Power Pivot) management: tables, columns, measures (create/update/delete), model info, and DAX evaluate/DMV queries. Part of the 19 Data Model/DAX operations.

relationships

Create, read, update (toggle active/inactive), delete, and list Data Model table relationships, plus model refresh. Part of the 19 Data Model/DAX operations.

tables

Excel Tables (ListObjects) lifecycle, styling, totals row, append/get data, add to Data Model, DAX-backed tables, filtering, sorting, column management, structured references, and number formats. 27 operations across two tools.

pivottable

PivotTables: create from range/table/Data Model, manage row/column/value/filter fields, aggregations, calculated fields and members, layout, subtotals, grand totals, get data, refresh, and lifecycle. 30 operations across three tools.

charts

Charts: create from range/PivotTable, manage series, chart type, legend, titles, axes, data labels, axis scale, gridlines, marker formatting, trendlines, placement, and lifecycle. 29 operations across two tools.

Security

Windows-only; requires Microsoft Excel 2016+ installed. Drives the real Excel process via COM automation and needs exclusive access to workbooks, so all Excel files must be closed before use. The self-contained `mcp-excel.exe` (from GitHub releases) needs no .NET runtime; the NuGet `dotnet tool` install requires the .NET 10 runtime. IRM/AIP-protected files are detected and opened read-only with Excel made visible for credential authentication.

ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel safe to use with Claude Desktop?

Windows-only; requires Microsoft Excel 2016+ installed. Drives the real Excel process via COM automation and needs exclusive access to workbooks, so all Excel files must be closed before use. The self-contained `mcp-excel.exe` (from GitHub releases) needs no .NET runtime; the NuGet `dotnet tool` install requires the .NET 10 runtime. IRM/AIP-protected files are detected and opened read-only with Excel made visible for credential authentication.

Does this run on macOS or Linux?

No. ExcelMcp uses Windows COM interop to drive the real Excel application, so it requires Windows plus a desktop Microsoft Excel 2016 or later installation.

Will it corrupt my .xlsx files?

No. Instead of editing the file format directly, it controls Excel's official COM API (Excel.Application), so output matches Excel exactly and there is no third-party file-format risk.

How do I install it for Claude Desktop?

Download the excel-mcp-{version}.mcpb bundle from the latest GitHub release and double-click it (or drag it onto Claude Desktop), then restart. Alternatively, add an mcpServers entry pointing command to mcp-excel after installing the standalone exe or the NuGet dotnet tool.

View repo Full ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel page