ExcelMCP
ExcelMCP
面向AI智能体的实时Excel智能层。 将其指向OneDrive文件夹,你的智能体即可用自然语言查询这些电子表格中的实时数据。
解决的问题
大多数电子表格集成的工作原理是将数据复制到其他地方。它们会摄取工作簿,将其分块,嵌入单元格值,并将所有内容存储在向量数据库中。从那一刻起,你的智能体就在基于快照回答问题。有人在上午9点更新了库存表,但智能体仍在引用周二的数字。
ExcelMCP 将问题一分为二。
结构会被缓存。 文件名、工作表名、列标题、标题行的起始位置、哪些列包含日期、工作表之间的关联关系——以及每个低基数列的一小部分不同标签样本,这正是在上百个几乎相同的工作表之间进行路由的关键。这些信息很少变化,存储成本低廉,并且是智能体了解“要请求什么”所必需的。(采样的标签是结构触及值的唯一位置;具体边界在磁盘上的存储内容中说明。)
数据永远不会被缓存。 每个返回数字的工具调用都会访问Microsoft Graph API并实时拉取数据。不存在会过时的数据缓存,不存在会落后的同步任务,也绝不会从磁盘提供任何答案。
每个响应都带有 metadata.fetched_at 时间戳和 is_cached: false 标志,以便模型可以通过带内信号了解到自己看到的是最新数据。
Related MCP server: Microsoft 365 MCP Server
工作原理
一个自然语言问题被嵌入,通过余弦相似度与工作表描述进行匹配,然后按与列名和采样值的词法重叠进行重新排序——这使得当二十个工作簿共享一个模式时,路由仍然有意义。这些工作表(且仅有这些工作表)会被实时获取。随后,过滤和聚合操作在 pandas 中对刚刚获取的数据帧进行。单值问题完全跳过行处理管道:lookup 读取一个关键列和一行,并返回带有其来源的单元格。
环境要求
Python 3.10 或更新版本
一个包含 OneDrive 的 Microsoft 365 账户
uv,或者如果你愿意,也可以使用普通的 pip
安装
在仓库根目录下运行:
git clone https://github.com/Karunya-Muddana/ExcelMCP.git
cd ExcelMCP
uv sync # install dependencies
uv build # build the wheel
pip install dist/excelmcp-0.3.0-py3-none-any.whl或者直接从源码安装,无需构建:
pip install .无需编译步骤,也无需构建原生扩展。向量搜索在 NumPy 的余弦扫描上运行,而非 hnswlib,这专门是为了确保在没有 C++ 工具链的机器上也能使用 pip install 安装。
设置
运行一次设置向导:
excelmcp-setup该向导引导完成四件事:
Microsoft 设备流登录。你会得到一个代码,将其粘贴到浏览器中,令牌缓存会以
0600权限保存在~/.excelmcp/token.json中。要索引的 OneDrive 文件夹,例如
/ERP。扫描该文件夹中的每个
.xlsx文件,以构建结构图和嵌入向量。检测你机器上已安装的 AI 智能体,并为你选择的智能体写入配置条目。
可自动配置的智能体
智能体 | 配置文件 |
Claude Code |
|
Claude Desktop |
|
Cursor |
|
Windsurf |
|
Gemini CLI |
|
Codex CLI |
|
VS Code (Copilot) | VS Code 用户 |
Cline | 扩展 |
Continue |
|
Goose |
|
Zed |
|
Hermes |
|
在修改现有配置文件之前,会先进行备份。如果你的智能体不在列表中,向导会打印出需要手动粘贴的精确 JSON 或 TOML 代码块。
其他向导命令
excelmcp-setup list-agents # show what was detected
excelmcp-setup install --only cursor # register with one agent, skip the rescan
excelmcp-setup doctor # diagnose a broken install
excelmcp-setup uninstall # remove ExcelMCP from every agent config
excelmcp-setup --folder /ERP --yes # fully non-interactive
excelmcp-setup --dry-run # print the changes, write nothing向智能体暴露的工具
工具 | 网络请求 | 功能描述 |
| 无 | 工作区的完整结构:文件、工作表、列、表格区域、关系、命名变体、扫描年龄。即时返回。 |
| 无 | 同上,但限定于一个文件,并包含上次扫描时的大致行数。即时返回。 |
| 大量 | 重新爬取 OneDrive 并重建结构、采样值、关系和嵌入向量。 |
| 实时 | 自然语言问题,通过向量相似度加词法重排序进行路由。 |
| 实时 | 一次调用 → 一个单元格值,包含文件/工作表/单元格来源和置信度信号。 |
| 实时 | 一次 Graph 请求获取一个指定地址的单元格。 |
| 实时 | 获取一个工作表,返回满足条件的行。 |
| 实时 | 获取一个工作表,分组并进行聚合计算,支持 |
| 实时 | 从每个文件中获取匹配的工作表,汇总成一个总数。 |
| 实时 | 根据已知关系,在关键列上合并两个工作表。 |
| 实时 | 交易类型的带符号求和——一次调用即可得出净库存。 |
两个结构工具是免费且即时的,因为它们读取本地图。标记为“实时”的所有内容每次调用都会访问 API。
使用方法
注册服务器后,你通常可以像平常一样与你的智能体对话。在幕后,它会进行如下调用。
首先进行定向。在猜测列名之前,智能体应该始终这样做,因为没有两家公司会以相同的方式命名事物:
get_workspace_graph(folder_path="/ERP")在不知道答案所在位置的情况下提问:
query("what are the top 10 products by sales value", folder_path="/ERP")过滤已知的工作表:
filter_sheet(
file_name="Inventory.xlsx",
sheet="Stock",
conditions={"Status": "Low", "Quantity": "<50"},
folder_path="/ERP",
sort_by="Quantity",
limit=100,
)支持的条件运算符,全部进行 AND 操作:
形式 | 含义 |
| 精确匹配——不区分大小写和空格;传递 |
| 包含,字面子字符串,不是正则表达式 |
| 大于(也支持 |
| 日期范围,ISO-8601 格式,适用于已检测到的日期列 |
| 值列表中的任意一个 |
| 包含范围,数值或日期 |
| 组合范围 |
| 空值检查——空白和空字符串视为空值 |
不存在的列名或运算符会引发错误,而不是静默返回零行,后者是导致智能体自信地报告错误信息的失败模式。当条件确实没有匹配项时,响应会包含 zero_match_diagnostics——每个条件单独匹配了什么,以及有问题的列中存在的多达二十个实际值——这样近乎匹配的错误会被纠正,而不是报告为“无数据”。
一次调用请求单个数字:
lookup(query="contracted rate for Titanium Dioxide under the BESTEX contract",
folder_path="/Contracts")答案会附带来源信息(文件、工作表、单元格地址、匹配的行)和一个置信度字段。多个匹配行会返回 ambiguous 并列出所有行;工作表之间的结果不一致会返回 conflict 并列出所有版本,不提供单一值;拼写错误的关键字会返回模糊建议。该工具从不返回一个裸数字。
在单个文件内进行分组和聚合计算:
aggregate(
file_name="Sales.xlsx",
sheet="Q1",
group_by="Region",
value_col="Revenue",
operation="sum",
folder_path="/ERP",
)汇总工作区中所有文件中的同一个工作表:
cross_file_aggregate(
sheet="Q1",
value_col="Revenue",
operation="sum",
folder_path="/ERP",
conditions={"Status": "Closed"},
)cross_file_aggregate 会返回每个文件的详细结果以及总计,还会在无法读取某个文件时返回 skipped_files,并为每个不包含确切工作表名称的文件返回 unmatched_files(附带 did_you_mean 候选名称)。这样,部分总计就会明显是部分的,而不是静默地给出错误结果,包括其中某些文件中的工作表名为 Sales 而其他文件名为 Sales 2024 的情况。在进行聚合之前,请检查 get_workspace_graph 中的 sheet_name_variants,以预先了解这种碎片化情况。
智能体操作指南
安装服务器只是成功的一半。agents/ 文件夹涵盖了另一半:如何提示一个拥有这些工具的智能体,如何将其集成到每个宿主环境中,以及一旦它正常工作后可以自动化处理什么。
一个即插即用的系统提示词,适用于自定义代理、子代理、 | |
按任务分类的可复制提示词:方向性提示、直接回答、分析、验证、报告、数据质量。末尾附带一组反提示词,即那些看似合理但总会产生错误答案的措辞。 | |
一个首次会话,证明整个链路端到端工作,包括如何自行验证数据确实是实时的。 | |
每个受支持的十二种主机配置中写入的内容、如何验证、各主机的特有怪癖,以及如何在没有主机的情况下以编程方式驱动服务器。 | |
该用哪个工具、语义路由如何实际选择工作表、条件语法无法表达什么,以及哪些数据形状会产生自信的错误答案。 | |
解码症状:从 PATH 问题和 403 错误,到乱码的列名和翻倍的总计值。 | |
四个可直接排程的例程:每日库存检查、每周销售摘要、月末对账、数据质量审计。每个例程都包含提示词、调度方式以及常见问题。 |
服务器内置的安全护栏
服务器在其 MCP 指令中附带了一套操作规则,宿主模型在首次调用前会读取这些规则。它们的存在是因为 LLM 在处理电子表格问题时,容易以特定的方式出错:
切勿假设文件名、工作表名称或列名。请从图中发现它们。
切勿在脑中累加跨文件数字。请调用
cross_file_aggregate让工具完成。切勿使用
openpyxl、pandas.read_excel或本地文件系统。这些文件不在本机上。切勿直接对交易型数据的数量列求和——请使用
derive并明确指定交易类型。日期列作为 ISO-8601 字符串到达,已由服务器从序列号转换而来。切勿手动进行序列号算术运算。
对于单个数据,请调用
lookup并引用其返回的出处;遇到其ambiguous和conflict结果时,不要自行选择值。在声称结果完整之前,请检查
truncated和total_matched字段。
忽略服务器指令的宿主,以及你自己构建的自定义代理,需要在其自身的提示词中明确声明这些规则。参见 agents/system-prompt.md。
配置
变量 | 默认值 | 用途 |
| 内置 | Azure AD 应用程序客户端 ID |
|
| 租户。个人账户使用 |
| 未设置 | 当工具调用省略 |
|
| 在所有代码路径上,最多同时向 Microsoft Graph 发起的请求数。 |
内置的客户端 ID 是一个用于设备代码流的公共客户端。它不包含任何秘密,有意在每个认证请求中可见,并且保留在此仓库中是安全的。如果你希望同意屏幕显示你组织的名称,请将其替换为你自己的应用注册。
写入磁盘的内容
~/.excelmcp/
token.json MSAL token cache. Auth material only, written 0600.
graph.json Structure graph: item IDs, sheet names, column headers,
used-range dimensions, date column types, per-sheet
table regions, inferred and formula-declared
relationships — and sampled values (see below).
vectors.npy Embedded sheet descriptions for semantic routing.
metadata.json Labels and lexical terms tying each embedding to a sheet.
relationships.yaml Optional, written by you: declared join relationships.截至 0.3.0 版本,关于无缓存声明的真实情况。 你的数据的任何行、任何单元格网格或任何可查询的值都不会存储在磁盘上——每个答案都始终来自实时获取。有一个故意的例外:graph.json 存储了采样值,每个低基数列(客户名称、状态、物料名称、单位)最多 50 个不同的文本标签,在扫描时捕获。它们的存在是为了让一百个结构相同的工作表在路由问题时能够被区分,让 lookup 能够找到包含“BESTEX”的那个工作表而无需下载所有内容,并且可以根据值的重叠而不是列名来推断关系。它们是路由证据,而不是数据缓存:没有任何东西会基于它们来回答问题,工作区扫描会整体刷新它们。该图还存储了每个工作表的指纹(表头列和已用范围地址),纯粹用于检测变化,以及——0.3.0 版新增的——一个区域映射:工作表中每个表格体的行跨度,来源于工作表自身的 SUM/COUNT/AVERAGE 公式引用的范围,加上任何跨工作表公式读取的地址。这些是行号和单元格地址,而不是内容;不读取任何值来生成它们。区域的 label(如果存在)是采样值之外的第二个故意例外:从区域正上方的节标题单元格读取的几个词(例如 “NAPHTHALENE”、“OLEUM 65%”),以便模型能够命名它所指的表格,而不是根据行号猜测。它是描述工作表布局的结构性元数据,而不是行数据——这与采样值已经划定的界限相同。如果这些内容中有任何超出你希望保留在磁盘上的范围,请不要扫描该文件夹;如果你想验证这个边界,graph.json 很小且可读,可以自行查看。
在 Windows 上,os.chmod 只能切换只读位,因此 0600 模式在那里是尽力而为,真正的保护是 %USERPROFILE% 上默认的每用户 ACL。在 macOS 和 Linux 上,该模式在写入任何内容之前应用于临时文件,因此令牌永远不会短暂地以全局可读状态存在。
测试
# offline unit tests, no network and no credentials required
pytest tests/test_unit.py
# live integration tests against a workspace you have already scanned, opt in
EXCELMCP_TEST_FOLDER=/ERP pytest tests/test_live_integration.py -v当 EXCELMCP_TEST_FOLDER 未设置时,集成测试套件会自动跳过自身,因此直接运行 pytest 将保持离线状态。
项目布局
agents/ prompts, host guides, and schedulable routines
auth.py MSAL device flow, token cache, proactive refresh
graph_client.py Graph API wrapper, 429 backoff, shared concurrency gate
structure.py Structure discovery, value sampling, relationship inference
embeddings.py FastEmbed vectors, NumPy cosine search, lexical rerank
query_engine.py Conditions, live fetch, aggregation, joins, derive
lookup.py Single-cell lookup pipeline and get_cell
ranges.py A1-notation range arithmetic
main.py FastMCP tool definitions and server entry point
cli.py Setup wizard, agent detection, config writing
agents.py Per agent config formats and file locations
storage.py Atomic writes, stderr logging, config directory handling贡献
欢迎提交 issue 和 pull request。如果你要添加对其他代理的支持,只需要修改 agents.py 这一个文件:添加一个包含配置路径、条目形状和检测提示的 AgentSpec。
许可证
MIT。参见 LICENSE。
Available Tools
11 toolsaggregateA
Fetches a sheet LIVE and runs a grouped aggregation. Operations: sum, count, mean, min, max. group_by is one column name or a list of them. conditions filters rows before aggregating (same grammar as filter_sheet, including the object form). having filters the AGGREGATED rows afterwards, e.g. having={"Revenue": ">1000"} keeps only groups whose aggregate exceeds 1000. SINGLE FILE ONLY. For totals across multiple files you MUST use cross_file_aggregate instead — never use this tool and then manually add results across files. Get column names from get_workspace_graph first. Returns rows plus a truncated flag. If conditions matched zero rows, zero_match_diagnostics shows what each condition matched alone and the values actually present — correct the condition and retry.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| sheet | Yes | ||
| having | No | ||
| group_by | Yes | ||
| file_name | Yes | ||
| operation | Yes | ||
| value_col | Yes | ||
| conditions | No | ||
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Despite no annotations, the description discloses key behavioral traits: live data fetch, output includes a 'truncated flag', and zero_match_diagnostics behavior when no rows match. It also explains condition grammar and having filter semantics with an example, providing substantial context beyond the schema.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is dense but well-structured with line breaks, and each sentence adds necessary information (operations, parameters, single-file constraint, diagnostics). It is slightly long but avoids redundancy and earns its length.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the complexity (8 params, grouped aggregation), the description covers essential context: multi-file exclusion, column names source, condition/having grammar, return flags, and error diagnostics. An output schema exists, so return details need not be repeated. Folder_path is the only minor omission, but optional and less critical.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description carries the burden. It explains group_by (column name or list), conditions (filter_sheet grammar), having (post-aggregation filter with example), and lists operations. However, folder_path and file_name/sheet are not explicitly described, leaving minor gaps for those parameters.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's core action: 'Fetches a sheet LIVE and runs a grouped aggregation' and lists supported operations. It also distinguishes itself from siblings by explicitly limiting to a single file and pointing to cross_file_aggregate for multi-file operations.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Provides explicit when-to-use and when-not-to-use guidance: 'SINGLE FILE ONLY' and 'For totals across multiple files you MUST use cross_file_aggregate instead'. It also references filter_sheet grammar for condition syntax and advises fetching column names from get_workspace_graph first.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
cross_file_aggregateA
MANDATORY for any total spanning more than one file. Fetches relevant sheets from ALL files in PARALLEL, applies filter conditions, returns the aggregate total.
WHEN YOU MUST CALL THIS:
Any total, sum, count, or average across multiple files
Any cross-file comparison or consolidation
Verifying a total you calculated from individual files
NEVER calculate cross-file totals by:
Adding individual filter_sheet results in your head
Using Python to sum numbers from separate tool calls
Guessing based on partial data
Always call this AND show per-file breakdown so the user can verify both agree. If they differ, flag it.
ONLY files whose sheet is named EXACTLY sheet are
included in the total. Files without that exact sheet
are listed in unmatched_files, with their actual sheet
names and did_you_mean candidates — they are NEVER
silently included. If the response has a warning,
skipped_files, or unmatched_files, surface that to the
user: the total may be incomplete. Check
sheet_name_variants in get_workspace_graph first to see
naming fragmentation before aggregating.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| sheet | Yes | ||
| operation | Yes | ||
| value_col | Yes | ||
| conditions | No | ||
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Given no annotations, the description discloses key behaviors: parallel fetching, exact sheet-name matching, listing unmatched files with did_you_mean candidates, and never silently including them. It also warns that warning/skipped_files/unmatched_files indicate incomplete totals and mandates surfacing them to the user. It does not explicitly state read-only nature, but there are no mutations implied.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is longer than average but well-structured with bolded headings and lists, making it scannable. Each sentence carries actionable guidance, though some redundancy exists (e.g., repeated emphasis on showing per-file breakdown). Overall, it earns its length without being bloated.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool has an output schema, so return values need not be described, yet the description references response fields (unmatched_files, skipped_files, warning) for error handling and gives a cross-tool prerequisite. It does not explain all parameters or link to filter_sheet's conditions structure, but it is highly comprehensive for a complex tool.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It clarifies that `sheet` must match exactly and mentions 'filter conditions' conceptually, but it does not explain `value_col`, `operation` options, `conditions` structure, or `folder_path`. It adds some semantic context beyond the bare schema but leaves significant parameter gaps.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with 'MANDATORY for any total spanning more than one file' and explicitly states it fetches sheets from all files, applies filter conditions, and returns the aggregate total. It distinguishes from siblings like filter_sheet and aggregate by contrasting its cross-file scope with single-file alternatives.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Provides an explicit 'WHEN YOU MUST CALL THIS' list (any cross-file total/sum/count/average, cross-file comparison, verifying totals) and a 'NEVER calculate' list (adding filter_sheet results, Python summing, guessing). It also instructs to check sheet_name_variants in get_workspace_graph first, naming a prerequisite tool.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
deriveA
Computes a NET value over transaction types in one call: sum of sign * groupwise_sum(quantity_col) across the given components. This is how a stock figure like receipts + purchases − consumption − returns becomes ONE call with the arithmetic done in pandas, instead of five filter_sheet calls added up in your head (which RULE 3 forbids).
components is a list of {"conditions": {...same grammar as filter_sheet...}, "sign": 1 or -1, "label": "receipts"} conditions (optional) pre-filters the sheet before any component applies. The response includes a per-component breakdown with rows_matched. A component that matched ZERO rows is flagged and warned about — check the spelling of the transaction type before trusting the net.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| sheet | Yes | ||
| group_by | Yes | ||
| file_name | Yes | ||
| components | Yes | ||
| conditions | No | ||
| folder_path | No | ||
| quantity_col | Yes |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden. It discloses that computation is done in pandas, includes a per-component breakdown with rows_matched, and flags zero-match components with a warning. It does not explicitly state that the operation is read-only (no file modification), but given its nature and the context, that is a minor omission. Overall, it provides strong behavioral safeguards beyond a simple summary.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is compact but rich. It front-loads the core purpose, then provides an example, breaks down the components structure, and adds a critical warning. A few words are slightly repetitive ('one call' appears twice), but each sentence adds value and the structure is logical, so it earns a high score without being overly verbose.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool has 7 parameters and is genuinely complex, but the description covers the main behavioral contract: the net computation, component structure, optional conditions, and output warnings. It doesn't elaborate on folder_path or file_name, but those are self-explanatory. Given the output schema exists (per context signals), the description does not need to explain return values in detail. This is fairly complete for a tool of this complexity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 0%, so the description is the only source of parameter meaning. It thoroughly explains the complex 'components' list (conditions, sign, label), clarifies 'conditions' as optional pre-filter, and ties 'quantity_col' to the groupwise_sum. This goes well beyond the bare schema and compensates entirely for the lack of schema descriptions.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb ('Computes') and clearly defines the resource ('NET value over transaction types'). It explicitly contrasts with filter_sheet by showing how it replaces five calls, which strongly distinguishes it from siblings. This is a textbook example of purpose clarity.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly states when to use this tool: to compute a net figure from signed components in one call, and tells the agent to avoid multiple filter_sheet calls (citing RULE 3). It names the alternative filter_sheet and implies that the tool is the right choice for this pattern. No exclusion criteria are missing; it is very clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
filter_sheetA
Fetches a specific sheet LIVE from OneDrive and returns rows matching the given conditions. Always live — no cache. Use when you already know which file and sheet to query. Get column names from get_workspace_graph first.
Condition formats (string form): Exact match: {"ColumnName": "value"} Contains: {"ColumnName": "~value"} (literal, not regex) Comparisons: {"ColumnName": ">100"} (also >=, <, <=) Date bounds: {"Batch Date": ">=2026-01-01"} (ISO-8601)
Condition formats (object form, combinable): IN list: {"Status": {"in": ["Closed", "Shipped"]}} Range: {"Qty": {"between": [10, 500]}} Date range: {"Batch Date": {">=": "2026-01-01", "<": "2026-04-01"}} Null check: {"Notes": {"is_null": false}} Contains: {"Name": {"contains": "oxide"}}
Multiple conditions are ANDed together; multiple operators inside one object are ANDed too. An unknown column name or operator is an error, not an empty result.
MATCHING IS NORMALISED, NOT STRICT: exact string matches ignore case and surrounding whitespace ("closed" matches "Closed "), because Excel cells carry stray whitespace constantly. Pass exact_case=true for byte-for-byte matching. Contains (~) is case-insensitive. If zero rows match, the response includes zero_match_diagnostics showing what each condition matched on its own and the values actually present in the column — use it to correct a near-miss and retry instead of concluding the data does not exist. At most 1000 rows are returned; check the truncated and total_matched fields in the response.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | ||
| sheet | Yes | ||
| sort_by | No | ||
| file_name | Yes | ||
| conditions | Yes | ||
| exact_case | No | ||
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description takes full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It covers the live/cache behavior, case-insensitive normalized matching, exact_case flag, literal-contains semantics, error behavior for unknown columns/operators, zero_match_diagnostics, and the 1000-row limit with truncated/total_matched fields.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is long but earns its length: a clear purpose sentence, structured condition formats with examples, then matching semantics and edge-case behavior. Each section serves a distinct need, and examples are concrete.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given seven parameters, nested conditions, and an output schema, this description covers the high-risk behaviors: error semantics, matching rules, zero-match diagnostics, and response truncation. The presence of an output schema covers return-value structure, and the description supplements it with total_matched/truncated details. The only gaps are sort_by/folder_path semantics, which are minor.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It does, thoroughly, for the conditions parameter: exact/contains/comparison/date/IN/between/is_null/contains object forms, AND semantics, and normalization. It also explains exact_case and limit behavior. However, sort_by and folder_path are not explicitly described beyond the schema, a minor gap.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with a specific verb-resource pair: 'Fetches a specific sheet LIVE from OneDrive and returns rows matching the given conditions.' It also preempts sibling confusion by noting to get column names from get_workspace_graph first and stating 'Use when you already know which file and sheet to query.'
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
It explicitly says 'Use when you already know which file and sheet to query,' and directs users to get_workspace_graph for column names, setting clear context. It doesn't spell out when not to use it relative to query/aggregate/join_sheets, but the specificity of the condition syntax and the mention of the 1000-row limit imply boundaries.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_cellA
Reads EXACTLY ONE cell, LIVE, by address. One Graph request, tiny payload, no ambiguity. Use when the location is already known — follow-up questions, scheduled routines, anything where lookup or filter_sheet already established the address earlier. address is A1 notation ("B7") or the name of a workbook-scoped named range that resolves to one cell. Serial dates arrive converted to ISO-8601; check resolved_type. A multi-cell address is an error — use filter_sheet for ranges.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| sheet | Yes | ||
| address | Yes | ||
| file_name | Yes | ||
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries full burden. It discloses that it reads exactly one cell, performs a live Graph request, converts serial dates to ISO-8601 with a resolved_type check, and treats multi-cell addresses as errors. These are concrete behavioral details beyond a simple read hint.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three sentences earn their place: purpose, usage, then parameter and behavior details. Front-loaded and free of fluff.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's simplicity and the presence of an output schema, the description covers all key aspects: exact behavior, usage context, parameter semantics, and an edge case. No critical gaps for an AI agent to select and invoke it.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It thoroughly explains the address parameter (A1 notation or named range) and its constraints, though file_name, sheet, and folder_path rely on their naming for meaning. Adds clear value for the most complex parameter.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description states a specific verb ('Reads'), a precise resource ('EXACTLY ONE cell'), and key qualifiers ('LIVE, by address'), distinguishing it from sibling range tools like filter_sheet. It emphasizes 'no ambiguity' to set expectations.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
It explicitly states when to use the tool: 'when the location is already known' for follow-up questions or scheduled routines, and names filter_sheet as the alternative for ranges. This provides a clear when-to-use vs when-not-to.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_workspace_graphA
Returns the cached file structure — all filenames, sheet
names, column headers, and cross-sheet relationships
(inferred at scan time from matching column names plus
overlapping sampled values, merged with any the user
declared in ~/.excelmcp/relationships.yaml; each carries
a confidence score and its evidence).
INSTANT — makes no API call. Reads from local graph.json.
ALWAYS call this first at session start to orient yourself.
Shows you exactly which files exist, what sheets they have,
and what columns are in each sheet. The structure varies
for every company — never assume, always discover.
Also returns sheet_name_variants: groups of sheet names
that differ only in case or whitespace across files —
check it before any cross-file operation, because those
match by exact sheet name.
Each sheet carries a regions list: the table bodies found
in it, derived from the sheet's own SUM/COUNT formulas, in
absolute sheet rows. A sheet with more than one region holds
several separate tables (also listed in multi_region_sheets),
so a plain aggregate over it adds up blocks that were never
meant to be summed — read its unclaimed_rows and check which
region you mean before totalling anything.
layout_confidence is "unconfirmed" wherever the region map
came from formulas alone and nothing has verified it.
Use this before any filter_sheet call when unsure which
file or column to query.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden and does so thoroughly. It discloses caching ('makes no API call', 'Reads from local graph.json'), warns about unconfirmed layout_confidence, explains multi-region sheets and the risk of summing separate tables, and notes sheet_name_variants as a matching caveat.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is front-loaded with the core function and all sentences add behavioral value. However, it is somewhat verbose and contains overlapping usage advice ('ALWAYS call this first' and 'Use this before any filter_sheet call'), so it is not maximally concise.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The description is exceptionally complete for a tool with an output schema and no annotations. It covers the return content, performance characteristics, caching path, confidence scoring, multi-region quirks, and recommended invocation order, leaving little ambiguity about the tool's role.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema defines one parameter, folder_path, but the description never mentions it. Schema description coverage is 0%, and the description provides no compensation—an agent would not know when or why to provide folder_path, or what happens if omitted.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb ('Returns') naming a clear resource ('cached file structure') and enumerates exact content (filenames, sheet names, column headers, cross-sheet relationships). It also distinguishes itself from siblings by highlighting that it is cached and requires no API call.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicit guidance is given: 'ALWAYS call this first at session start' and 'Use this before any filter_sheet call when unsure which file or column to query.' This makes the intended usage context and sequencing very clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
inspect_fileA
Returns structural metadata for one specific file — sheet names, column headers, and each sheet's approx_row_count AS OF THE LAST SCAN (this tool makes no API call, so the count is not live; treat it as an order-of-magnitude hint, not a current figure). INSTANT — reads from cached graph.json. Use before filter_sheet when you need to confirm the exact column names available in a specific file.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| file_name | Yes | ||
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description fully discloses behavior: it 'makes no API call', 'reads from cached graph.json', and the count is 'not live' and should be treated as an 'order-of-magnitude hint'. This reveals staleness and performance characteristics beyond what annotations would provide, ensuring the agent understands the tool's limitations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise, front-loaded with the primary purpose, and every sentence earns its place: it covers the output, the caveat about non-live counts, the performance characteristic (INSTANT), and a usage example. No fluff or redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The description provides rich behavioral context (caching, staleness, speed) and usage guidance, and an output schema exists to detail return values. However, the folder_path parameter is not explained, and the description does not mention potential error cases or prerequisites. These gaps are minor given the tool's simplicity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must explain parameters. It implicitly covers file_name via 'one specific file', but it does not mention folder_path at all. This leaves one of two parameters unexplained, which is a significant gap in parameter semantics.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'Returns structural metadata for one specific file — sheet names, column headers, and each sheet's approx_row_count.' This is specific with a verb ('returns') and resource ('one specific file'), and it distinguishes the tool from siblings by emphasizing structural metadata and its use before filter_sheet.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly advises 'Use before filter_sheet when you need to confirm the exact column names available in a specific file.' This provides a clear when-to-use scenario and a named alternative. It also notes that the tool makes no API call, implying it is for quick checks rather than live operations.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
join_sheetsA
Joins two sheets LIVE on key columns and returns the merged rows, with filter_sheet's truncation contract (total_matched, truncated, limit). Omit left_on/right_on to let the server pick keys from the workspace's known relationships — it uses a declared or high-confidence inferred relationship and REFUSES with the candidate list when confidence is low, rather than guessing. The keys actually used and their source are in data.keys. Key matching is normalised (case, whitespace, 45 vs 45.0); null keys never join. join_type: inner, left, right, outer. Colliding column names get _left/_right suffixes. Use this instead of stitching filter_sheet results together yourself.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | ||
| left_on | No | ||
| right_on | No | ||
| join_type | No | inner | |
| left_file | Yes | ||
| left_sheet | Yes | ||
| right_file | Yes | ||
| folder_path | No | ||
| right_sheet | Yes |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It details the live join behavior, truncation contract, refusal with candidate list when confidence is low, key normalization, null key handling, join types, and column suffixing. This is exceptionally transparent for a data tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single dense paragraph that front-loads the core purpose, then logically covers optional behavior, key handling, and an explicit usage recommendation. Every sentence adds valuable information without redundancy or fluff.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The description is highly complete given the tool's complexity, covering core behavior, edge cases, and output details. However, it does not explain the 'folder_path' parameter, which is part of the schema. While not critical to the main join functionality, this leaves a minor gap in the overall contextual picture.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema has zero description coverage, so the description must compensate. It explains the semantics of left_on/right_on, join_type, limit, and the data.keys output field. It even covers edge cases like colliding column names and normalized matching, adding rich meaning beyond the raw parameter names.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool 'Joins two sheets LIVE on key columns and returns the merged rows,' naming a specific verb and resource. It also distinguishes itself from sibling tools by explicitly recommending this tool over stitching filter_sheet results together.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description includes explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives: 'Use this instead of stitching filter_sheet results together yourself.' It also explains the optional behavior of omitting key parameters and the server's decision-making process, giving the agent clear context for invocation.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
lookupA
ONE-CALL semantic lookup: finds a single cell value anywhere in the workspace and returns it WITH PROVENANCE (file, sheet, cell address, the matched row) and a confidence signal. Reads only the key column and the matched row — never whole sheets.
Two ways to call it:
Natural language: lookup(query="contracted rate for Titanium Dioxide under the BESTEX contract"). The server resolves the key value against values sampled at scan time and picks the return column lexically. Works best when the query contains a literal value that appears in the data (a client, a material).
Explicit: lookup(key_column="Material", key_value= "Titanium Dioxide", return_column="Contracted Rate"). Use this when the query form reports it could not parse, or for values too rare to be sampled. scope={"file": ..., "sheet": ...} narrows the search.
READ confidence BEFORE using the value: "high" — single row matched; corroborating sheets (if any) agree. provenance.corroborated_by lists them. "ambiguous" — the key matched SEVERAL ROWS. value is null; every row is in alternatives. Never pick one silently. "conflict" — several sheets DISAGREE. value is null; every version is in alternatives. Surface the conflict to the user. found=false — key not found; suggestions holds fuzzy near-misses (retry with exact spelling), or ambiguity explains why routing failed. NEVER present a value from this tool without citing provenance.file, provenance.sheet and provenance.cell.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| query | No | ||
| scope | No | ||
| key_value | No | ||
| key_column | No | ||
| folder_path | No | ||
| return_column | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full behavioral disclosure burden, and it does so thoroughly: it states that only the key column and matched row are read, never whole sheets; it explains the confidence signals (high/ambiguous/conflict) and their consequences; and it mandates citing provenance. This goes far beyond what the schema alone could convey.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is long but well-structured and front-loaded with the core behavior, then branches into invocation modes, confidence semantics, and a hard safety rule. The line breaks and indented sections make it scannable, and every paragraph adds necessary information rather than padding.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's complexity and the lack of annotations, the description is exceptionally complete: it covers both call styles, scope, confidence interpretation, fallback suggestions, and provenance requirements. An output schema exists for return-value structure, so not restating the full return object is acceptable. The omitted folder_path parameter is minor and does not undermine the overall completeness.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema has 0% description coverage and bare properties, so the description must compensate. It adds real meaning to query, key_column, key_value, return_column, and scope with examples and semantic roles. The only gap is folder_path, which is never mentioned, and the description does not explicitly state the mutual exclusivity of query versus explicit key parameters.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with 'ONE-CALL semantic lookup: finds a single cell value anywhere in the workspace and returns it WITH PROVENANCE...' — a specific verb and resource that clearly distinguishes this from generic query or get_cell tools. The two invocation modes (natural language vs explicit keyed) leave no ambiguity about what the tool does.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives explicit guidance on when to choose the natural-language mode versus the explicit keyed mode, including the trigger 'Use this when the query form reports it could not parse, or for values too rare to be sampled.' It also explains how scope narrows the search. However, it does not explicitly compare against sibling tools or state when NOT to use lookup, so it falls just short of full alternative-based guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
queryA
Natural language question with automatic RAG routing. Embeds your question, retrieves candidate sheets by vector similarity, reranks them by lexical overlap with column names and sampled values, fetches the winners LIVE from OneDrive, and returns results. Use for exploratory questions when you do not know which specific file or sheet contains the answer. n_results controls how many sheets are fetched (default 5); min_score drops weak matches. CHECK data.routing: when routing_ambiguous is true the top candidates scored within a tie margin and the choice between them is effectively arbitrary — confirm with inspect_file or ask the user instead of trusting one. Including a distinctive literal value in the question (a client name, a material) strongly improves routing. Response metadata.fetched_at confirms this is live data. For known file/sheet combinations use filter_sheet instead.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| question | Yes | ||
| min_score | No | ||
| n_results | No | ||
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden and goes beyond a basic statement of function. It discloses the RAG mechanism, that data is fetched live from OneDrive, and importantly warns about non-deterministic behavior when routing_ambiguous is true, where the choice is 'effectively arbitrary.' This level of behavioral disclosure is exceptional.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is longer than the ideal but every sentence earns its place: purpose, mechanism, usage, parameters, ambiguity warning, routing tip, and alternative tool. It is front-loaded with the primary purpose and structured clearly, though it could be tightened slightly without losing value.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a complex tool with no annotations and a rich output schema, the description covers the essential decision factors: when to use it, how it works, how to interpret routing ambiguity, and how to confirm live data. It also points to the output schema via metadata.fetched_at, making it sufficiently complete for an agent to invoke correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema has zero descriptions, so the description must compensate. It explains n_results (count, default 5) and min_score (threshold for weak matches), and the question parameter is self-evident. However, folder_path is not described at all, leaving its role to inference from its name, which is a small gap.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states this is a natural-language query tool with automatic RAG routing, describes the full pipeline (embed, retrieve, rerank, fetch live), and explicitly distinguishes it from filter_sheet for known file/sheet combinations. This leaves no ambiguity about what the tool does and when it is the right choice.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly tells the agent to use this tool for exploratory questions when the specific file or sheet is unknown, and names filter_sheet as the alternative for known cases. It also provides actionable guidance for ambiguous routing ('confirm with inspect_file or ask the user') and tips for improving routing accuracy.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
scan_workspaceA
Rescans the OneDrive folder and rebuilds the structure index and embeddings. SLOW — makes many API calls. ONLY call when: new .xlsx files have been added to OneDrive, or existing sheet names or column headers have changed. DO NOT call this at session start. DO NOT call this before every query. The workspace is already indexed from setup. Use get_workspace_graph for instant structure access.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| folder_path | No |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
No output parameters | ||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full transparency burden. It discloses that the operation is SLOW and makes many API calls, and explains that it rebuilds the index and embeddings. It doesn't detail side effects (e.g., does it overwrite the existing index?), but it provides strong behavioral context and performance warnings.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Every sentence earns its place: first states the action, then the performance warning, then precise call conditions, then explicit what-not-to-dos, and finally the alternative tool. It's front-loaded and highly scannable.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Despite its short length, the description covers all decision-relevant context: when to use, when not to use, performance implications, and a link to a faster alternative. Since an output schema exists, the description doesn't need to detail return values. This fully equips an agent to decide correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema shows one optional folder_path parameter with no description, and the description never mentions this parameter. Since schema_description_coverage is 0%, the description should clarify whether folder_path is the OneDrive root or a subfolder, but it does not. The only implicit hint is 'the OneDrive folder', leaving the parameter's behavior ambiguous.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with a specific verb and object ('Rescans the OneDrive folder') and explains the purpose (rebuilds structure index and embeddings). It clearly distinguishes itself from get_workspace_graph by positioning itself as an occasional maintenance operation.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives explicit, highly actionable usage criteria: only call when new .xlsx files are added or sheet/column names change, and do not call at session start or before every query. It also points to get_workspace_graph as the instant-access alternative.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
11 tool updates
v0.3.0- First observed
aggregate - First observed
cross_file_aggregate - First observed
derive - First observed
filter_sheet - First observed
get_cell - First observed
get_workspace_graph - First observed
inspect_file - First observed
join_sheets - First observed
lookup - First observed
query - First observed
scan_workspace
TDQS
Scored across 11 tools
Each tool targets a distinct operation: structure discovery, metadata inspection, rescanning, natural-language query, filtered row fetch, grouped aggregation, cross-file totals, joins, signed net calculations, single-cell address reads, and semantic cell lookup. The descriptions include explicit guidance on when to use each tool and warn against alternatives (e.g., aggregate vs. cross_file_aggregate). There is no meaningful overlap or ambiguity between tool purposes.
All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern in snake_case: get_workspace_graph, inspect_file, scan_workspace, filter_sheet, join_sheets, get_cell, etc. Short verb-only names like query, aggregate, derive, and lookup are also consistent in style and fit the pattern of using a single verb when the object is implied. No camelCase or mixing of conventions.
With 11 tools, the server is well-scoped for an Excel workspace analysis tool. Each tool serves a clear and necessary purpose, covering discovery, querying, aggregation, joining, and cell-level access. The count is comfortably within the 3-15 range and does not feel bloated or sparse.
The tool surface covers the full read/analysis lifecycle: workspace structure discovery (get_workspace_graph, inspect_file, scan_workspace), flexible data retrieval (query, filter_sheet, get_cell, lookup), grouped aggregation (aggregate), multi-file totals (cross_file_aggregate), complex net computations (derive), and joins (join_sheets). There are no obvious missing operations for the apparent purpose of reading and analyzing Excel data.
Maintenance
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