Excel Data Integration for Claude via MCP Server

Overview

The Excel Data Integration for Claude via MCP Server is a thin wrapper around the OpenPyXl Python library that exposes some of its features as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. This allows Claude and other MCP clients to fetch and interact with data from Excel files seamlessly.

Key Features

• Enables Claude to query and analyze Excel files directly.
• Supports both macOS and Windows platforms.
• Easy integration with Claude Desktop and other MCP clients.

Installation

General Steps

1. Download the latest version of the executable from the releases page.
2. openpyxl_mcp_server for macOS.
3. openpyxl_mcp_server.exe for Windows.
4. Configure your MCP client (e.g., Claude Desktop).

Configuring Claude Desktop

1. Ensure Claude Desktop is installed.
2. Download the MCP server executable.
3. Open Claude Desktop and navigate to Settings > Developer > Edit Config.
4. Add the following configuration to claude_desktop_config.json:

macOS:
json { "mcpServers": { "inspect_excel_xlsx_file": { "command": "/Users/<YOUR-USERNAME>/Downloads/openpyxl_mcp_server", "args": [] } } }

Windows:
json { "mcpServers": { "inspect_excel_xlsx_file": { "command": "C:\\Users\\<YOUR-USERNAME>\\Downloads\\openpyxl_mcp_server.exe", "args": [] } } }

1. Restart Claude Desktop for changes to take effect.

Configuring Other MCP Clients

• Cursor
• Windsurf
• Zed
• RooCode
• Cline
• LibreChat

From Source (for Development)

1. Clone the repository:
   shell git clone [email protected]:jonemo/openpyxl-mcp-server.git cd openpyxl-mcp-server
2. Set up a virtual environment:
   shell python -m venv venv source venv/bin/activate pip install -r requirements.txt
3. Update the configuration file:
   json { "mcpServers": { "inspect_excel_xlsx_file": { "command": "/Users/jonas/repos/openpyxl_mcp_server/venv/bin/python", "args": ["/Users/jonas/repos/openpyxl_mcp_server/openpyxl_mcp_server.py"] } } }

Example Prompts

Example 1: Identifying Ports in a Dataset

Prompt:

I have an Excel file in ~/Downloads/KimbroughEvelyn_A-5qg0_Dataset_20160624.xlsx that contains data associated with some study about air pollution near one or more ports in the United States. Can you infer from the file contents which ports are covered by this study?

Response:

The study is focused on the Port of Charleston, South Carolina.

Example 2: Analyzing HOA Finances

Prompt:

~/Downloads/CASH FLOW 2024.xlsx are the finances of my home owner association. How much did we get billed for sprinkler system maintenance in 2024? How many transactions contributed to this total? When did each transaction happen?

Response:

Total amount billed: $565.00. Number of transactions: 1. Transaction date: September 9, 2024.

Example 3: Filling Out a Form

Prompt:

I need to file DPR973 because I work for a "cooperating association" for California State Parks. The form I have to fill out is this Excel sheet: /Users/jonas/Downloads/Annual Report DPR973.xlsx. We supported the State Parks by publishing books and generated revenue by selling firewood. Where in the workbook do I have to fill out cells?

Response:

Detailed instructions on filling out the form, including specific cells and sections.

Example 4: Identifying the Largest Federal Building in Utah

Prompt:

Using the Excel file in "/Users/jonas/Downloads/2025-3-7-iolp-buildings.xlsx": What is the largest federal building by square footage in the state of Utah?

Response:

The IRS Service Center in Ogden is the largest federally-owned building in Utah on the list.

Contributing and Development

Building Standalone Executables

1. Install dependencies:
   shell pip install -r requirements.txt pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
2. Build the executable:
   shell pyinstaller openpyxl_mcp_server.spec
3. Sign the executable (macOS):
   shell codesign --force --deep --sign - dist/openpyxl_mcp_server

MCP Server Directories

• mcp.so
• mcpserver.cloud
• mcpserverfinder.com

Resources

• OpenPyXl Documentation
• MCP Server Quickstart
• Anthropic's Documentation

License

MIT License