How to connect Excel MCP with VS Code

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How to connect Excel MCP with VS Code

VS Code is the most popular code editor out there. With its recent AI makeover, it can do more than just help you write code. You can connect your applications to it and let LLMs automate many of the mundane tasks in your workflow.

In this guide, I will explain how to connect Excel with VS Code in the most secure and robust way possible via Composio.

Also integrate Excel with

Why use Composio?

Composio provides:

  • Access to 1,000+ managed apps from a single MCP endpoint. This makes it convenient for agents to run cross-app workflows.
  • Programmatic tool calling. Allows LLMs to write its code in a remote workbench to handle complex tool chaining. Reduces to-and-fro with LLMs for frequent tool calling.
  • Large tool response handling outside the LLM context. This minimizes context bloat from large tool responses.
  • Dynamic just-in-time access to thousands of tools across hundreds of apps. Composio loads the tools your agent needs, so LLMs are not overwhelmed by tools they do not need.

Integrate Excel MCP with VS Code

1. Install with one click

Click the button below to add Composio to VS Code. You will be prompted to authorize. This requires VS Code 1.99+ with GitHub Copilot.

+Install in VS Code

2. Or add manually

Open or create .vscode/mcp.json in your project root and add the following configuration:

bash
{
  "servers": {
    "composio": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://connect.composio.dev/mcp"
    }
  }
}

3. Authorize

Click the install button to authorize VS Code to connect to Composio. VS Code will detect OAuth and prompt you to sign in.

VS Code MCP server install screen for Composio

A browser window will open to authorize.

Composio authorization browser window

4. Authenticate Excel and start working

Back in VS Code chat, ask the agent to connect to Excel or give it any Excel-related task.

For example, ask it to:

  • "Add sales data row to Q2 table"
  • "Create bar chart from revenue column"
  • "Share this workbook with your manager"

It will prompt you to authenticate and authorize access to Excel.

That is it. Composio tools are now available in VS Code, and your Excel account is ready to use.

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.

Way Forward

Now that Excel is connected, extend your setup by connecting the other apps you already use every day, so your agent can run true cross-app workflows end to end.

  • Connect Calendar to turn threads into scheduled meetings automatically.
  • Connect Slack or Teams to post summaries, approvals, and alerts where your team works.
  • Connect Notion, Linear, Jira, or Asana to convert requests into tickets, tasks, and docs.
  • Connect Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to fetch, file, and share attachments without manual steps.
  • Connect HubSpot or Salesforce to log customer context, update records, and draft follow-ups.

Start with one workflow you do repeatedly, then keep adding apps as you find new handoffs. With everything behind a single MCP endpoint, your agent can coordinate multiple tools safely and reliably in one conversation.

How to build Excel MCP Agent with another framework

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 VS Code?

Yes, you can. VS Code 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.

Used by agents from

Context
Letta
glean
HubSpot
Agent.ai
Altera
DataStax
Entelligence
Rolai
Context
Letta
glean
HubSpot
Agent.ai
Altera
DataStax
Entelligence
Rolai
Context
Letta
glean
HubSpot
Agent.ai
Altera
DataStax
Entelligence
Rolai

Never worry about agent reliability

We handle tool reliability, observability, and security so you never have to second-guess an agent action.