Connect to every Excel file in your Microsoft 365 account, including shared workbooks across OneDrive and SharePoint, and control them instantly with AI-powered commands.
How to Use MCP Nodes
What is Excel MCP?
When you create an Excel MCP node, Gumloop generates a custom node that understands Microsoft 365 Excel’s API. Simply describe what you need in plain English, and the node translates your prompt into the right Excel action.What Can It Do for You?
- Create, search, and download workbooks without leaving Gumloop
- Add, list, delete, and update worksheets to keep your files organized
- Read, search, insert, or modify rows, cells, tables, and columns in seconds
- Combine with other nodes (like Ask AI or Google Sheets Writer) for end-to-end reporting and analysis
Available Tools
| Tool | What It Does | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| Create Workbook | Create a new Excel workbook in OneDrive or SharePoint | ”Create a workbook named Marketing_Budget_2025.xlsx in my OneDrive Documents folder and return the workbook ID” |
| List Worksheets | List all worksheets in a workbook | ”List worksheets in workbook ID abc123 and return worksheet names and IDs” |
| Add Worksheet | Add a new worksheet to a workbook | ”In workbook ID abc123 add a worksheet called Summary and return the new worksheet ID” |
| Read Worksheet | Read data from a worksheet | ”Read range A1:D50 from worksheet ID sheet789 and return the values” |
| Update Cells | Update cell values in a worksheet | ”In worksheet ID sheet789 set range B2:D2 to ['North','South','East'] and return the updated range” |
| Search Data | Get data from a specific range | ”From worksheet ID sheet789 get range A1:F100 and return the values” |
| Add Row | Append a new row to a worksheet | ”Add row ['Acme Inc', 25000, 'Closed Won'] to worksheet ID sheet789 and return the new row number” |
| Add Table | Create a table in a worksheet | ”Create a table named SalesData on worksheet ID sheet789 covering A1:D100 and return the table ID” |
| Add Table Row | Add a row to an existing table | ”In table ID tbl456 add row ['West', 'Q2', 14000] and return the row index” |
| Find Row | Locate a row by column value | ”Find the row in worksheet ID sheet789 where column B equals Acme Inc and return the row number” |
| Find Or Create Row | Find a row or create it if missing | ”Find or create a row in worksheet ID sheet789 where column A equals Beta Corp and return the row number” |
| Update Row | Update an existing row | ”In worksheet ID sheet789 update row 25 with ['Gamma Co', 32000, 'Negotiation'] and return the updated values” |
| Delete Worksheet Row | Delete a row from a worksheet | ”Delete row 10 from worksheet ID sheet789 and confirm deletion” |
| List Tables | List all tables in a workbook | ”List tables in workbook ID abc123 and return table names and IDs” |
| Get Table | Get table metadata | ”Get table ID tbl456 metadata and return column names” |
| List Table Rows | List rows in a table | ”List rows 1-20 in table ID tbl456 and return all cell values” |
| Add Table Column | Add a column to a table | ”In table ID tbl456 add column Forecast and return the column index” |
| Update Table Column | Update data in a table column | ”In table ID tbl456 update column Forecast rows 1-10 to 0 and return affected rows” |
| Delete Table | Delete a table object (data stays) | “Delete table ID tbl456 and confirm deletion” |
| Download Workbook | Get a download URL for the workbook | ”Generate a download link for workbook ID abc123 and return the URL” |
| Search Workbooks | Search workbooks in OneDrive and SharePoint | ”Search my OneDrive for workbooks with name containing Q4_Report and return workbook links” |
How to Use
1
Create Your Excel MCP Node
Go to your node library, search for Excel, and click “Create a node with AI”
2
Add Your Prompt
Drag the Excel node onto the canvas and describe the exact Excel action you need.
3
Test Your Node
Run the node. Review the output to ensure it pulls or updates the right data.
4
Save and Reuse
Save the working node to your library so you can reuse it in any workflow.
Example Prompts
With 21 available tools, these examples showcase common use cases. Feel free to experiment with natural-language instructions. File Management:For best results, start with a single, specific action (for example, “List worksheets”). Once you confirm the output, chain additional nodes like Ask AI or Google Sheets Writer to analyze or move the data.
Troubleshooting
If your Excel MCP node isn’t working as expected, try these best practices:Keep Prompts Simple and Specific
- Good: “List worksheets in workbook ID abc123 and return worksheet names”
- Bad: “Create a workbook, add a sheet, paste my CRM export, format the table, and send me a download link”
While this prompt might work, it’s more efficient to break it into separate nodes. Excel MCP works best with focused, single-action prompts.
Match What Excel Can Do
- Good: “Update cells A1:C1 in worksheet ID sheet789 to [‘North’,‘South’,‘East’]”
- Bad: “Update cells A1:C1 in Google Sheets and then email the file”
Excel MCP excels at Microsoft 365 Excel actions. For emailing the file, combine it with Gmail Sender/Reader or another email node.
Break Complex Tasks Into Steps
Instead of trying to do everything in one prompt (which can cause timeouts and added complexity):1
Step 1: Create Workbook
Create a workbook named “Q1_Sales.xlsx” in my OneDrive and return the workbook ID
2
Step 2: Add Worksheet
In workbook ID output_from_step1 add a worksheet named “Raw” and return the worksheet ID
3
Step 3: Add Table
In worksheet ID output_from_step2 create a table named “SalesData” covering A1:D500 and return the table ID
In your workflow, connect these nodes sequentially. The workbook ID output from Step 1 becomes the input for Step 2, and the worksheet ID from Step 2 feeds into Step 3.
Focus on Data Retrieval
Excel MCP is great at getting information from your spreadsheets. For analysis or chart creation, connect it to other nodes. Example:- Good prompt: “Find the row where column A equals ‘Acme Inc’ and return the entire row”
- Less efficient prompt: “Find Acme Inc, calculate average deal size, and write a summary paragraph”
Let Excel MCP retrieve the raw data. Use Ask AI or Run Code nodes for calculations or summaries.
Troubleshooting Node Creation
Empty Outputs
Empty Outputs
In the node creation window, click “Request changes” and ask the AI to add debug logs and verify the API response.
Incorrect Results
Incorrect Results
In the node creation window, click “Request changes” and describe what you expected versus what you received.
Errors
Errors
First click “Fix with Gummie”. If multiple attempts fail, simplify your prompt or contact support.
Iterate with Request Changes
Iterate with Request Changes
MCP node creation often requires a few tweaks. Use “Request changes” (in the node creation window) to refine filters, output fields, or pagination.
Need More Help?
- Watch What are MCP Nodes video tutorial
- Check out MCP Best Practices in Gumloop University
- Join the Gumloop Community for support
- View the Excel MCP setup guide for Claude and Cursor
- Contact support at support@gumloop.com