Last reviewed June 2026
Claude Code can read and edit Excel files directly. Its official xlsx skill runs pandas and openpyxl locally to open .xlsx workbooks, read every sheet and formula, and write cells back. For spreadsheets stored in Microsoft 365, MCP servers like ms-365-mcp-server work over the Graph API, and Microsoft's MarkItDown converts XLSX into clean Markdown tables. Here are the options.
Recommended MCP Servers
MarkItDown
microsoft/markitdown
Official Microsoft library that converts Excel spreadsheets to Markdown tables for LLM consumption.
Key Features
- Converts XLSX to Markdown tables
- Preserves cell formatting
- Handles multiple sheets
- Official Microsoft support
Installation
pip install 'markitdown[all]'MarkItDown converts Excel spreadsheets into clean Markdown tables that Claude can easily read and analyze. Multiple sheets, formatting, and formulas are preserved as readable text. The most reliable option for Excel reading.
Microsoft 365 MCP
softeria/ms-365-mcp-server
Microsoft Office integration including Excel via Graph API for cloud-based spreadsheets.
Key Features
- Excel Online access
- Read and write cells
- OneDrive integration
- Full Graph API support
Installation
See GitHub for Azure setupFor organizations using Microsoft 365, this MCP provides direct access to Excel files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Read cells, update values, and work with cloud spreadsheets without downloading files.
Markdownify MCP
zcaceres/markdownify-mcp
Convert XLSX files along with PDFs, images, and other formats to Markdown.
Key Features
- XLSX to Markdown conversion
- Multiple format support
- Batch processing
- All-in-one solution
Installation
pnpm install && pnpm run buildIf you work with Excel alongside other document types, Markdownify handles everything in one MCP. Convert spreadsheets, PDFs, and documents all through the same interface.
Quick Comparison
| MCP | Stars | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarkItDown | >80k | Local Excel files | Best conversion quality | Read-only |
| Microsoft 365 | >300 | Cloud spreadsheets | Read and write | M365 required |
| Markdownify | >2k | Mixed formats | All-in-one | More setup |
Getting Started
To read Excel files with Claude Code:
For local Excel files, install MarkItDown:
pip install 'markitdown[all]'For Microsoft 365 spreadsheets, set up the Microsoft Graph MCP.
Point Claude to your file and ask for analysis.
Example prompt: "Read this Excel file and summarize the sales data by region."
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best MCP server to read Excel files with Claude?
For local files, Microsoft's MarkItDown (install with pip install 'markitdown[all]') converts XLSX spreadsheets to clean Markdown tables Claude can read. For cloud files on Microsoft 365, the softeria/ms-365-mcp-server reads and writes Excel cells via the Graph API (npx -y @softeria/ms-365-mcp-server). Claude Code can also use its built-in xlsx skill without any MCP server.
Can Claude Code read an .xlsx file directly without an MCP server?
Yes. Claude Code reads .xlsx files directly using its official xlsx skill, which runs Python locally with pandas and openpyxl. Just point Claude at the file and ask. Pandas handles data analysis and summaries, while openpyxl reads cell-level details. No MCP server or external conversion step is required for local spreadsheets.
Can Claude read formulas and multiple sheets in an Excel workbook?
Yes. Using openpyxl, Claude reads every sheet via the workbook's sheet names and can access both formula strings and their calculated values. Loading with data_only=True returns the last-computed results instead of formula text. Multiple sheets are iterated individually, so Claude can cross-reference data and summarize each tab.
Can Claude write or edit cells in an Excel file?
Yes. Claude Code edits Excel files with openpyxl, updating cell values, adding sheets, and applying formatting or formulas, then saving the workbook. The official xlsx skill recommends writing real Excel formulas rather than hardcoding computed numbers. For cloud workbooks, the softeria/ms-365-mcp-server writes cells directly in OneDrive or SharePoint via the Graph API.
