Excel spreadsheets contain valuable data but Claude can't read them directly. MCP servers can convert Excel files to formats Claude understands, or provide direct spreadsheet manipulation. Here are the best options for working with Excel data.
Recommended MCP Servers
MarkItDown
microsoft/markitdown
Official Microsoft library that converts Excel spreadsheets to Markdown tables for LLM consumption.
Key Features
- Converts XLSX to Markdown tables
- Preserves cell formatting
- Handles multiple sheets
- Official Microsoft support
Installation
pip install 'markitdown[all]'MarkItDown converts Excel spreadsheets into clean Markdown tables that Claude can easily read and analyze. Multiple sheets, formatting, and formulas are preserved as readable text. The most reliable option for Excel reading.
Microsoft 365 MCP
softwarearchitect817/microsoft-graph-mcp
Microsoft Office integration including Excel via Graph API for cloud-based spreadsheets.
Key Features
- Excel Online access
- Read and write cells
- OneDrive integration
- Full Graph API support
Installation
See GitHub for Azure setupFor organizations using Microsoft 365, this MCP provides direct access to Excel files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Read cells, update values, and work with cloud spreadsheets without downloading files.
Markdownify MCP
zcaceres/markdownify-mcp
Convert XLSX files along with PDFs, images, and other formats to Markdown.
Key Features
- XLSX to Markdown conversion
- Multiple format support
- Batch processing
- All-in-one solution
Installation
pnpm install && pnpm run buildIf you work with Excel alongside other document types, Markdownify handles everything in one MCP. Convert spreadsheets, PDFs, and documents all through the same interface.
Quick Comparison
| MCP | Stars | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MarkItDown | >80k | Local Excel files | Best conversion quality | Read-only |
| Microsoft 365 | >300 | Cloud spreadsheets | Read and write | M365 required |
| Markdownify | >2k | Mixed formats | All-in-one | More setup |
Getting Started
To read Excel files with Claude Code:
For local Excel files, install MarkItDown:
pip install 'markitdown[all]'For Microsoft 365 spreadsheets, set up the Microsoft Graph MCP.
Point Claude to your file and ask for analysis.
Example prompt: "Read this Excel file and summarize the sales data by region."