How to integrate Excel MCP with Pydantic AI

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Introduction

This guide walks you through connecting Excel to Pydantic AI using the Composio tool router. By the end, you'll have a working Excel agent that can add sales data row to q2 table, create bar chart from revenue column, share this workbook with my manager, clear outdated entries from worksheet range through natural language commands.

This guide will help you understand how to give your Pydantic AI agent real control over a Excel account through Composio's Excel MCP server.

Before we dive in, let's take a quick look at the key ideas and tools involved.

TL;DR

Here's what you'll learn:
  • How to set up your Composio API key and User ID
  • How to create a Composio Tool Router session for Excel
  • How to attach an MCP Server to a Pydantic AI agent
  • How to stream responses and maintain chat history
  • How to build a simple REPL-style chat interface to test your Excel workflows

What is Pydantic AI?

Pydantic AI is a Python framework for building AI agents with strong typing and validation. It leverages Pydantic's data validation capabilities to create robust, type-safe AI applications.

Key features include:

  • Type Safety: Built on Pydantic for automatic data validation
  • MCP Support: Native support for Model Context Protocol servers
  • Streaming: Built-in support for streaming responses
  • Async First: Designed for async/await patterns

What is the Excel MCP server, and what's possible with it?

The Excel MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that connects your AI agent and assistants like Claude, Cursor, etc directly to your Excel account. It provides structured and secure access to your spreadsheets, so your agent can perform actions like adding data, creating tables, managing worksheets, generating charts, and sharing workbooks on your behalf.

  • Automated data entry and updates: Let your agent add rows, columns, or clear specific ranges in any worksheet—keeping your data fresh, organized, and accurate.
  • Effortless table and worksheet management: Direct your agent to create tables, add new worksheets, or organize data structures for seamless tracking and reporting.
  • Dynamic chart generation: Have your agent visualize your data instantly by adding charts to any worksheet for quick insights and analysis.
  • Advanced filtering and sorting: Ask your agent to apply filters or custom sorts to tables, making it easy to focus on what matters most in your datasets.
  • Secure sharing and permission control: Empower your agent to grant access or update permissions on workbooks, ensuring your team can collaborate safely and efficiently.

Supported Tools & Triggers

Tools
Add ChartAdd a chart to a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
Add SharePoint WorksheetAdd a new worksheet to a sharepoint excel workbook using microsoft graph sites api.
Add TableCreate a table in a workbook using microsoft graph api.
Add Table ColumnAdd a column to a table using microsoft graph api.
Add Table RowAdd a row to a table using microsoft graph api.
Add Workbook PermissionTool to grant access to a workbook via invite.
Add WorksheetAdd a new worksheet to an excel workbook using microsoft graph api.
Apply Table FilterApply a filter to a table column using microsoft graph api.
Apply Table SortApply a sort to a table using microsoft graph api.
Clear RangeTool to clear values, formats, or contents in a specified worksheet range.
Clear Table FilterClear a filter from a table column using microsoft graph api.
Close Excel SessionTool to close an existing excel workbook session.
Convert Table To RangeConvert a table to a range using microsoft graph api.
Create WorkbookTool to create a new workbook file at a specified drive path.
Delete Table ColumnDelete a column from a table using microsoft graph api.
Delete Table RowDelete a row from a table using microsoft graph api.
Delete WorksheetTool to delete a worksheet from the workbook.
Get Chart AxisTool to retrieve a specific axis from a chart.
Get Chart Data LabelsTool to retrieve the data labels object of a chart.
Get Chart LegendTool to retrieve the legend object of a chart.
Get RangeGet a range from a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
Create Excel SessionCreate a session for an excel workbook using microsoft graph api.
Get SharePoint RangeGet a range from a worksheet in sharepoint using microsoft graph sites api.
Get SharePoint WorksheetGet a worksheet by name or id from a sharepoint excel workbook using microsoft graph sites api.
Get Table ColumnTool to retrieve a specific column from a workbook table.
Get workbookTool to retrieve the properties and relationships of a workbook.
Get WorksheetGet a worksheet by name or id from an excel workbook using microsoft graph api.
Insert RangeTool to insert a new cell range into a worksheet, shifting existing cells down or right.
List ChartsList charts in a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
List Chart SeriesTool to list all data series in a chart.
List CommentsTool to list comments in an excel workbook.
List Drive FilesList files and folders in a drive root or specified path.
List Named ItemsList named items in a workbook using microsoft graph api.
List SharePoint TablesList tables in a sharepoint worksheet using microsoft graph sites api.
List SharePoint WorksheetsList worksheets in an excel workbook stored in sharepoint using microsoft graph sites api.
List Table ColumnsList columns in a table using microsoft graph api.
List Table RowsList rows in a table using microsoft graph api.
List TablesList tables in a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
List Workbook PermissionsTool to list permissions set on the workbook file.
List WorksheetsList worksheets in an excel workbook using microsoft graph api.
Merge CellsMerge cells in a worksheet range using microsoft graph api.
Protect WorksheetTool to protect a worksheet using optional protection options.
Sort RangeSort a range in a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
Update ChartUpdate a chart in a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
Update Chart LegendTool to update formatting or position of a chart legend.
Update RangeUpdate a range in a worksheet using microsoft graph api.
Update SharePoint RangeUpdate a range in a sharepoint worksheet using microsoft graph sites api.
Update TableUpdate a table in a workbook using microsoft graph api.
Update WorksheetUpdate worksheet properties (name, position) in an excel workbook using microsoft graph api.

What is the Composio tool router, and how does it fit here?

What is Tool Router?

Composio's Tool Router helps agents find the right tools for a task at runtime. You can plug in multiple toolkits (like Gmail, HubSpot, and GitHub), and the agent will identify the relevant app and action to complete multi-step workflows. This can reduce token usage and improve the reliability of tool calls. Read more here: Getting started with Tool Router

The tool router generates a secure MCP URL that your agents can access to perform actions.

How the Tool Router works

The Tool Router follows a three-phase workflow:

  1. Discovery: Searches for tools matching your task and returns relevant toolkits with their details.
  2. Authentication: Checks for active connections. If missing, creates an auth config and returns a connection URL via Auth Link.
  3. Execution: Executes the action using the authenticated connection.

Step-by-step Guide

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:
  • Python 3.9 or higher
  • A Composio account with an active API key
  • Basic familiarity with Python and async programming

Getting API Keys for OpenAI and Composio

OpenAI API Key
  • Go to the OpenAI dashboard and create an API key. You'll need credits to use the models, or you can connect to another model provider.
  • Keep the API key safe.
Composio API Key
  • Log in to the Composio dashboard.
  • Navigate to your API settings and generate a new API key.
  • Store this key securely as you'll need it for authentication.

Install dependencies

bash
pip install composio pydantic-ai python-dotenv

Install the required libraries.

What's happening:

  • composio connects your agent to external SaaS tools like Excel
  • pydantic-ai lets you create structured AI agents with tool support
  • python-dotenv loads your environment variables securely from a .env file

Set up environment variables

bash
COMPOSIO_API_KEY=your_composio_api_key_here
USER_ID=your_user_id_here
OPENAI_API_KEY=your_openai_api_key

Create a .env file in your project root.

What's happening:

  • COMPOSIO_API_KEY authenticates your agent to Composio's API
  • USER_ID associates your session with your account for secure tool access
  • OPENAI_API_KEY to access OpenAI LLMs

Import dependencies

python
import asyncio
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv
from composio import Composio
from pydantic_ai import Agent
from pydantic_ai.mcp import MCPServerStreamableHTTP

load_dotenv()
What's happening:
  • We load environment variables and import required modules
  • Composio manages connections to Excel
  • MCPServerStreamableHTTP connects to the Excel MCP server endpoint
  • Agent from Pydantic AI lets you define and run the AI assistant

Create a Tool Router Session

python
async def main():
    api_key = os.getenv("COMPOSIO_API_KEY")
    user_id = os.getenv("USER_ID")
    if not api_key or not user_id:
        raise RuntimeError("Set COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID in your environment")

    # Create a Composio Tool Router session for Excel
    composio = Composio(api_key=api_key)
    session = composio.create(
        user_id=user_id,
        toolkits=["excel"],
    )
    url = session.mcp.url
    if not url:
        raise ValueError("Composio session did not return an MCP URL")
What's happening:
  • We're creating a Tool Router session that gives your agent access to Excel tools
  • The create method takes the user ID and specifies which toolkits should be available
  • The returned session.mcp.url is the MCP server URL that your agent will use

Initialize the Pydantic AI Agent

python
# Attach the MCP server to a Pydantic AI Agent
excel_mcp = MCPServerStreamableHTTP(url, headers={"x-api-key": COMPOSIO_API_KEY})
agent = Agent(
    "openai:gpt-5",
    toolsets=[excel_mcp],
    instructions=(
        "You are a Excel assistant. Use Excel tools to help users "
        "with their requests. Ask clarifying questions when needed."
    ),
)
What's happening:
  • The MCP client connects to the Excel endpoint
  • The agent uses GPT-5 to interpret user commands and perform Excel operations
  • The instructions field defines the agent's role and behavior

Build the chat interface

python
# Simple REPL with message history
history = []
print("Chat started! Type 'exit' or 'quit' to end.\n")
print("Try asking the agent to help you with Excel.\n")

while True:
    user_input = input("You: ").strip()
    if user_input.lower() in {"exit", "quit", "bye"}:
        print("\nGoodbye!")
        break
    if not user_input:
        continue

    print("\nAgent is thinking...\n", flush=True)

    async with agent.run_stream(user_input, message_history=history) as stream_result:
        collected_text = ""
        async for chunk in stream_result.stream_output():
            text_piece = None
            if isinstance(chunk, str):
                text_piece = chunk
            elif hasattr(chunk, "delta") and isinstance(chunk.delta, str):
                text_piece = chunk.delta
            elif hasattr(chunk, "text"):
                text_piece = chunk.text
            if text_piece:
                collected_text += text_piece
        result = stream_result

    print(f"Agent: {collected_text}\n")
    history = result.all_messages()
What's happening:
  • The agent reads input from the terminal and streams its response
  • Excel API calls happen automatically under the hood
  • The model keeps conversation history to maintain context across turns

Run the application

python
if __name__ == "__main__":
    asyncio.run(main())
What's happening:
  • The asyncio loop launches the agent and keeps it running until you exit

Complete Code

Here's the complete code to get you started with Excel and Pydantic AI:

python
import asyncio
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv
from composio import Composio
from pydantic_ai import Agent
from pydantic_ai.mcp import MCPServerStreamableHTTP

load_dotenv()

async def main():
    api_key = os.getenv("COMPOSIO_API_KEY")
    user_id = os.getenv("USER_ID")
    if not api_key or not user_id:
        raise RuntimeError("Set COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID in your environment")

    # Create a Composio Tool Router session for Excel
    composio = Composio(api_key=api_key)
    session = composio.create(
        user_id=user_id,
        toolkits=["excel"],
    )
    url = session.mcp.url
    if not url:
        raise ValueError("Composio session did not return an MCP URL")

    # Attach the MCP server to a Pydantic AI Agent
    excel_mcp = MCPServerStreamableHTTP(url, headers={"x-api-key": COMPOSIO_API_KEY})
    agent = Agent(
        "openai:gpt-5",
        toolsets=[excel_mcp],
        instructions=(
            "You are a Excel assistant. Use Excel tools to help users "
            "with their requests. Ask clarifying questions when needed."
        ),
    )

    # Simple REPL with message history
    history = []
    print("Chat started! Type 'exit' or 'quit' to end.\n")
    print("Try asking the agent to help you with Excel.\n")

    while True:
        user_input = input("You: ").strip()
        if user_input.lower() in {"exit", "quit", "bye"}:
            print("\nGoodbye!")
            break
        if not user_input:
            continue

        print("\nAgent is thinking...\n", flush=True)

        async with agent.run_stream(user_input, message_history=history) as stream_result:
            collected_text = ""
            async for chunk in stream_result.stream_output():
                text_piece = None
                if isinstance(chunk, str):
                    text_piece = chunk
                elif hasattr(chunk, "delta") and isinstance(chunk.delta, str):
                    text_piece = chunk.delta
                elif hasattr(chunk, "text"):
                    text_piece = chunk.text
                if text_piece:
                    collected_text += text_piece
            result = stream_result

        print(f"Agent: {collected_text}\n")
        history = result.all_messages()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    asyncio.run(main())

Conclusion

You've built a Pydantic AI agent that can interact with Excel through Composio's Tool Router. With this setup, your agent can perform real Excel actions through natural language. You can extend this further by:
  • Adding other toolkits like Gmail, HubSpot, or Salesforce
  • Building a web-based chat interface around this agent
  • Using multiple MCP endpoints to enable cross-app workflows (for example, Gmail + Excel for workflow automation)
This architecture makes your AI agent "agent-native", able to securely use APIs in a unified, composable way without custom integrations.

How to build Excel MCP Agent with another framework

OpenAI Agents SDK

OpenAI Agents SDK

Use Excel MCP with OpenAI Agents SDK

Claude Agent SDK

Claude Agent SDK

Use Excel MCP with Claude Agent SDK

Google ADK

Google ADK

Use Excel MCP with Google ADK

LangChain

LangChain

Use Excel MCP with LangChain

Vercel AI SDK

Vercel AI SDK

Use Excel MCP with Vercel AI SDK

Mastra AI

Mastra AI

Use Excel MCP with Mastra AI

LlamaIndex

LlamaIndex

Use Excel MCP with LlamaIndex

CrewAI

CrewAI

Use Excel MCP with CrewAI

Claude Code

Claude Code

Use Excel MCP with Claude Code

FAQ

What are the differences in Tool Router MCP and Excel MCP?

With a standalone Excel MCP server, the agents and LLMs can only access a fixed set of Excel tools tied to that server. However, with the Composio Tool Router, agents can dynamically load tools from Excel and many other apps based on the task at hand, all through a single MCP endpoint.

Can I use Tool Router MCP with Pydantic AI?

Yes, you can. Pydantic AI fully supports MCP integration. You get structured tool calling, message history handling, and model orchestration while Tool Router takes care of discovering and serving the right Excel tools.

Can I manage the permissions and scopes for Excel while using Tool Router?

Yes, absolutely. You can configure which Excel scopes and actions are allowed when connecting your account to Composio. You can also bring your own OAuth credentials or API configuration so you keep full control over what the agent can do.

How safe is my data with Composio Tool Router?

All sensitive data such as tokens, keys, and configuration is fully encrypted at rest and in transit. Composio is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and follows strict security practices so your Excel data and credentials are handled as safely as possible.

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