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hyunjae-labs

xlwings Excel MCP Server

by hyunjae-labs

create_table

Convert Excel data ranges into structured tables for improved organization, filtering, and analysis using native Excel functionality.

Instructions

Creates a native Excel table from a specified range of data.

Args:
    sheet_name: Name of worksheet
    data_range: Range of data to create table from
    session_id: Session ID from open_workbook (preferred)
    filepath: Path to Excel file (legacy, deprecated)
    table_name: Name for the table (optional)
    table_style: Style for the table (optional)
    
Note: Use session_id for better performance. filepath parameter is deprecated.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sheet_nameYes
data_rangeYes
session_idNo
filepathNo
table_nameNo
table_styleNoTableStyleMedium9

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
resultYes

Implementation Reference

  • MCP handler function for the 'create_table' tool. Registers the tool with @mcp.tool(), handles session-based or legacy filepath access, and delegates to xlwings implementation functions.
    @mcp.tool()
    def create_table(
        sheet_name: str,
        data_range: str,
        session_id: Optional[str] = None,
        filepath: Optional[str] = None,
        table_name: Optional[str] = None,
        table_style: str = "TableStyleMedium9"
    ) -> str:
        """
        Creates a native Excel table from a specified range of data.
        
        Args:
            sheet_name: Name of worksheet
            data_range: Range of data to create table from
            session_id: Session ID from open_workbook (preferred)
            filepath: Path to Excel file (legacy, deprecated)
            table_name: Name for the table (optional)
            table_style: Style for the table (optional)
            
        Note: Use session_id for better performance. filepath parameter is deprecated.
        """
        try:
            # Support both new (session_id) and old (filepath) API
            if session_id:
                # New API: use session
                session = SESSION_MANAGER.get_session(session_id)
                if not session:
                    return ERROR_TEMPLATES['SESSION_NOT_FOUND'].format(
                        session_id=session_id, 
                        ttl=10  # Default TTL is 10 minutes (600 seconds)
                    )
                
                with session.lock:
                    from xlwings_mcp.xlwings_impl.advanced_xlw import create_table_xlw_with_wb
                    result = create_table_xlw_with_wb(
                        session.workbook,
                        sheet_name=sheet_name,
                        data_range=data_range,
                        table_name=table_name,
                        table_style=table_style
                    )
            elif filepath:
                # Legacy API: backwards compatibility
                logger.warning("Using deprecated filepath parameter. Please use session_id instead.")
                full_path = get_excel_path(filepath)
                from xlwings_mcp.xlwings_impl.advanced_xlw import create_table_xlw
                result = create_table_xlw(
                    filepath=full_path,
                    sheet_name=sheet_name,
                    data_range=data_range,
                    table_name=table_name,
                    table_style=table_style
                )
            else:
                return ERROR_TEMPLATES['PARAMETER_MISSING'].format(
                    param1='session_id',
                    param2='filepath'
                )
            
            return result.get("message", "Table created successfully") if "error" not in result else f"Error: {result['error']}"
            
        except DataError as e:
            return f"Error: {str(e)}"
        except Exception as e:
            logger.error(f"Error creating table: {e}")
            raise
  • Legacy (non-session) implementation of Excel table creation using xlwings. Opens workbook, creates ListObject table from range, applies style and filters, saves and closes.
    def create_table_xlw(
        filepath: str,
        sheet_name: str,
        data_range: str,
        table_name: Optional[str] = None,
        table_style: str = "TableStyleMedium9"
    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
        """
        Create an Excel table (ListObject) using xlwings.
        
        Args:
            filepath: Path to Excel file
            sheet_name: Name of worksheet
            data_range: Range of data to convert to table (e.g., "A1:D10")
            table_name: Name for the table (optional)
            table_style: Excel table style name
            
        Returns:
            Dict with success message or error
        """
        app = None
        wb = None
    
        # Initialize COM for thread safety (Windows)
        _com_initialize()
    
        try:
            logger.info(f"Creating Excel table in {sheet_name}")
            
            # Check if file exists
            if not os.path.exists(filepath):
                return {"error": f"File not found: {filepath}"}
            
            # Open Excel app and workbook
            app = xw.App(visible=False, add_book=False)
            wb = app.books.open(filepath)
            
            # Check if sheet exists
            sheet_names = [s.name for s in wb.sheets]
            if sheet_name not in sheet_names:
                return {"error": f"Sheet '{sheet_name}' not found"}
            
            sheet = wb.sheets[sheet_name]
            
            # Get data range
            range_obj = sheet.range(data_range)
            
            # Generate table name if not provided
            if not table_name:
                existing_tables = sheet.api.ListObjects
                table_name = f"Table{existing_tables.Count + 1}"
            
            # Create table using COM API
            sheet_com = sheet.api
            table = sheet_com.ListObjects.Add(
                SourceType=1,  # xlSrcRange
                Source=range_obj.api,
                XlListObjectHasHeaders=1  # xlYes
            )
            
            # Set table name
            table.Name = table_name
            
            # Apply table style
            table.TableStyle = table_style
            
            # Enable filtering
            table.ShowAutoFilter = True
            
            # Enable total row (optional, disabled by default)
            table.ShowTotals = False
            
            # Save the workbook
            wb.save()
            
            logger.info(f"✅ Successfully created table '{table_name}'")
            return {
                "message": f"Successfully created Excel table",
                "table_name": table_name,
                "data_range": data_range,
                "style": table_style,
                "sheet": sheet_name,
                "has_headers": True,
                "has_filter": True
            }
            
        except Exception as e:
            logger.error(f"❌ Error creating table: {str(e)}")
            return {"error": str(e)}
            
        finally:
            if wb:
                wb.close()
            if app:
                app.quit()
  • Session-based implementation of Excel table creation. Uses existing workbook object, creates ListObject from range, applies style and filters, saves workbook.
    def create_table_xlw_with_wb(
        wb,
        sheet_name: str,
        data_range: str,
        table_name: Optional[str] = None,
        table_style: str = "TableStyleMedium9"
    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
        """Session-based version using existing workbook object.
        
        Args:
            wb: Workbook object from session
            sheet_name: Name of worksheet
            data_range: Range of data to convert to table (e.g., "A1:D10")
            table_name: Name for the table (optional)
            table_style: Excel table style name
            
        Returns:
            Dict with success message or error
        """
        try:
            logger.info(f"📋 Creating Excel table in {sheet_name}")
            
            # Check if sheet exists
            sheet_names = [s.name for s in wb.sheets]
            if sheet_name not in sheet_names:
                return {"error": f"Sheet '{sheet_name}' not found"}
            
            sheet = wb.sheets[sheet_name]
            
            # Get data range
            range_obj = sheet.range(data_range)
            
            # Generate table name if not provided
            if not table_name:
                existing_tables = sheet.api.ListObjects
                table_name = f"Table{existing_tables.Count + 1}"
            
            # Create table using COM API
            sheet_com = sheet.api
            table = sheet_com.ListObjects.Add(
                SourceType=1,  # xlSrcRange
                Source=range_obj.api,
                XlListObjectHasHeaders=1  # xlYes
            )
            
            # Set table name
            table.Name = table_name
            
            # Apply table style
            table.TableStyle = table_style
            
            # Enable filtering
            table.ShowAutoFilter = True
            
            # Enable total row (optional, disabled by default)
            table.ShowTotals = False
            
            # Save the workbook
            wb.save()
            
            logger.info(f"✅ Successfully created table '{table_name}'")
            return {
                "message": f"Successfully created Excel table",
                "table_name": table_name,
                "data_range": data_range,
                "style": table_style,
                "sheet": sheet_name,
                "has_headers": True,
                "has_filter": True
            }
            
        except Exception as e:
            logger.error(f"❌ Error creating table: {str(e)}")
            return {"error": str(e)}
  • The @mcp.tool() decorator registers the create_table function as an MCP tool.
    @mcp.tool()

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed5 schema fields changed
    • addedInput schema / properties / filepath / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "null"
      +  }
      +]
    • addedInput schema / properties / filepath / default
      Added value: +null
    • removedInput schema / properties / filepath / type
      Removed value: -"string"
    • addedInput schema / properties / session_id
      Added value: +{
      +  "anyOf": [
      +    {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "type": "null"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "default": null,
      +  "title": "Session Id"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / required
      Previous value: -[
      -  "filepath",
      -  "sheet_name",
      -  "data_range"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "sheet_name",
      +  "data_range"
      +]
  2. First observed

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations exist. The description focuses on parameters but does not disclose behavioral traits such as whether the tool modifies the workbook, error handling, or performance implications. It only mentions deprecation.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise, with the main purpose front-loaded. The parameter list and note are clear, though a more structured format could improve readability.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

An output schema exists, so return values need not be described. However, the description lacks behavioral context (e.g., what happens on invalid range or missing sheet) and does not cover all aspects for a creation tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

With 0% schema description coverage, the description adds meaning by explaining each parameter (e.g., 'Name of worksheet', 'Range of data to create table from'). It notes session_id is preferred and filepath deprecated, adding value beyond schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb 'Creates' and the resource 'native Excel table from a specified range of data.' It distinguishes from sibling tools like create_chart or create_pivot_table.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides parameter context and notes session_id as preferred over deprecated filepath, but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives or when not to use it.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.