# Claude Desktop Configuration
Excel MCP Server works with Claude Desktop on Windows, but requires specific configuration for the Windows container environment.
## Configuration Location
Claude Desktop config file:
```
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
```
## Basic Configuration
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excel-mcp": {
"command": "excel-mcp-server.exe",
"args": []
}
}
}
```
Or using the .NET tool:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"excel-mcp": {
"command": "dotnet",
"args": ["excel-mcp-server"]
}
}
}
```
## Windows Container Considerations
Claude Desktop runs in a Windows container with specific constraints:
### File System Access
The container has limited file system access. Excel files should be in accessible locations:
- **User Documents**: `C:\Users\<username>\Documents\`
- **User Desktop**: `C:\Users\<username>\Desktop\`
- **Temp directory**: `%TEMP%` or `C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\`
**Recommendation**: Work with files in your Documents folder.
### Excel Instance
- Excel MCP Server manages its own Excel instance via COM automation
- The Excel window may be visible or hidden depending on operation
- Long-running operations show Excel's progress indicators
### Session Persistence
Sessions are tied to the Claude Desktop session:
- Closing Claude Desktop terminates active Excel sessions
- Unsaved changes may be lost
- Use explicit `excel_file(action: 'close', save: true)` to persist work
## Recommended Workflow
```
1. Create or open file in accessible location:
excel_file(action: 'create', filePath: 'C:\\Users\\Me\\Documents\\report.xlsx')
2. Perform operations with returned sessionId
3. Explicitly save and close when done:
excel_file(action: 'close', sessionId: '...', save: true)
```
## Troubleshooting
### "Excel not found" Error
- Ensure Microsoft Excel is installed on the Windows system
- Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365 required
### "Access denied" Error
- Check file path is in accessible directory
- Ensure file is not open in another Excel instance
- Try using Documents folder instead of other locations
### "COM timeout" Error
- Excel may be showing a dialog - check for visible Excel window
- Operation may be long-running - wait for completion
- Restart Claude Desktop if Excel becomes unresponsive
### VBA Operations Fail
VBA requires explicit trust setting in Excel:
1. Open Excel Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings
2. Enable "Trust access to the VBA project object model"
3. Restart Excel MCP Server
## MCPB Bundle Alternative
For simplified installation, use the MCPB bundle which auto-configures Claude Desktop:
1. Download `excel-mcp-bundle.mcpb` from releases
2. Double-click to install
3. Restart Claude Desktop
See the main repository for MCPB installation instructions.
