MCP Directory

How to add ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel to Windsurf

Automate Excel via AI - Power Query, DAX, VBA, PivotTables, charts through Excel's native COM API (Windows only). Paste the config into ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json and restart Windsurf.

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

Windsurf 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 Windsurf → Cascade → the hammer/MCP icon → Configure (or edit ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json).
  2. 2Paste the ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel config below.
  3. 3Fill in placeholder secrets, then save.
  4. 4Click Refresh in the MCP panel.
  5. 5ExcelMcp - MCP Server for Microsoft Excel's tools become available to Cascade.

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 Windsurf

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 + Windsurf FAQ

Where is the Windsurf config file?

Windsurf reads MCP servers from ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_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 Windsurf?

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