# Excel Range Relay

> Build or operate a macOS menu-bar relay that turns the current Excel selection into clean markdown, CSV, JSON, or prompt context, with workbook, sheet, and range labels when local Excel metadata is available.

- Skill: `arnie016/excel-range-relay` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 13 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add arnie016/excel-range-relay`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/arnie016/excel-range-relay/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Data & Analytics
- Author: Arnie016 (https://skillmd.com/u/arnie016)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/arnie016/excel-range-relay

---


# Excel Range Relay

Use this skill when the user wants a Mac menu-bar utility for taking the current Excel selection and handing it off into prompts, docs, tickets, or chat without reformatting the table by hand.

## Core Workflow

- Reads the copied Excel selection from the clipboard and preserves the table shape for markdown, CSV, JSON, or prompt-ready output.
- Uses lightweight macOS automation only for workbook, sheet, and range labels when Microsoft Excel is frontmost.
- Supports two deterministic header paths: treat the first row as column labels, or generate neutral column names when the copied slice is data-only.
- Shows one compact preview card with workbook, sheet, range, row count, and the next output presets.
- Prefers handoff formats that are already useful in the next destination: markdown table, CSV, JSON, or prompt context.
- Treats the surface as a relay step, not a spreadsheet editor or workbook manager.

## Local Helper

Use `scripts/excel_range_relay.py` when a deterministic local handoff is useful:

```bash
python skills/excel-range-relay/scripts/excel_range_relay.py current --format json
python skills/excel-range-relay/scripts/excel_range_relay.py current --format markdown
python skills/excel-range-relay/scripts/excel_range_relay.py current --header-mode generated --format markdown
python skills/excel-range-relay/scripts/excel_range_relay.py copy --format prompt
python skills/excel-range-relay/scripts/excel_range_relay.py copy --format csv
cat selection.tsv | python skills/excel-range-relay/scripts/excel_range_relay.py current --stdin --format prompt
```

The helper reads the current clipboard with `pbpaste`, preserves tabular structure, and tries to label the payload with workbook, sheet, and range metadata when Microsoft Excel is frontmost. Use `--header-mode first-row` when the first row is real schema, or `--header-mode generated` when the copied range is all data and still needs a safe markdown or records view. It does not use any cloud APIs or network access.

## Guardrails

- Do not claim live workbook sync, background watchers, or Microsoft 365 cloud state; this skill is about explicit clipboard handoff plus lightweight front-app metadata only.
- If Excel is not frontmost or automation permission is blocked, keep the handoff working from clipboard contents and explain that labels may be missing.
- If the copied slice does not include headers, generate neutral column names instead of pretending the first data row is schema.
- Keep the primary action obvious and the popover short; do not turn this into a spreadsheet browser or formula editor.

## Prototype

- SwiftUI starter files live in `prototype/`.
- The prototype sketches a menu-bar shell with a clipboard snapshot, header-mode toggle, output preview, and one primary copy action.

## When extending

- Add export depth only when it improves the handoff itself.
- If the skill grows, keep the menu-bar path short and the preview readable at a glance.