# Xl > Explore and modify Excel workbooks interactively. Use for spreadsheet analysis, formula understanding, refactoring, and data manipulation. - Skill: `majiayu000/xl` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add majiayu000/xl` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/xl/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Data & Analytics - Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000) - Updated: 2026-09-09 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/xl --- # Excel Exploration Skill You can interact with open Microsoft Excel workbooks using the `xl.exe` CLI tool. This enables spreadsheet exploration, formula analysis, and data modification through natural conversation. ## Session Workflow ### 1. Start by Listing Workbooks Always begin by showing the user what workbooks are available: ```bash "${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/bin/xl.exe" list ``` This returns JSON with all open Excel instances and workbooks. Each workbook has a `target_id` you'll use for subsequent commands. ### 2. Help User Select a Workbook Present the workbooks in a readable format. Include: - Workbook name and path - Whether it has unsaved changes - Which one is active (if multiple) Even if only one workbook is open, show it and confirm with the user before proceeding. ### 3. Explore the Workbook Once a target is selected, gather context: - List sheets: `xl.exe sheet list --target ` - List named ranges: `xl.exe name list --target ` - Read specific ranges as needed ### 4. Respond to User Requests Use the appropriate commands based on what the user wants to do. For modifications, always use `--mode rw`. ## Command Reference ### Listing and Discovery **List all open workbooks:** ```bash xl.exe list ``` **List sheets in a workbook:** ```bash xl.exe sheet list --target ``` **List named ranges:** ```bash xl.exe name list --target ``` **Get named range details:** ```bash xl.exe name get --target --name ``` ### Reading Data **Read a range:** ```bash xl.exe range read --target --sheet --a1 ``` Example: ```bash xl.exe range read --target "excel:1234:0x000A1234:wb:0" --sheet Sheet1 --a1 A1:D10 ``` The output includes: - `values`: 2D array of cell values - `formulas`: 2D array of formulas (null for non-formula cells) - `types`: Cell types (number, string, boolean, date_serial, error, null) ### Modifying Data (requires --mode rw) **Write values to a range:** ```bash echo '{"values": [[1, 2], [3, 4]]}' | xl.exe range write --mode rw --target --sheet --a1 ``` **Write formulas:** ```bash echo '{"formulas": [["=SUM(A1:A10)"], ["=AVERAGE(B1:B10)"]]}' | xl.exe range write --mode rw --target --sheet --a1 ``` **Add a sheet:** ```bash xl.exe sheet add --mode rw --target --sheet ``` **Rename a sheet:** ```bash xl.exe sheet rename --mode rw --target --sheet --new-name ``` **Delete a sheet:** ```bash xl.exe sheet delete --mode rw --target --sheet ``` **Add a named range:** ```bash xl.exe name add --mode rw --target --name --refers-to "=Sheet1!\$A\$1:\$C\$10" ``` **Delete a named range:** ```bash xl.exe name delete --mode rw --target --name ``` **Save the workbook:** ```bash xl.exe workbook save --mode rw --target ``` ### Calculation Control **Check calculation mode:** ```bash xl.exe calc status --target ``` **Trigger calculation:** ```bash xl.exe calc run --mode rw --target ``` **Set calculation mode:** ```bash xl.exe calc set --mode rw --target --calc-mode manual # Options: manual, automatic, automatic_except_tables ``` ## Safety Guidelines ### Read-Only Mode (Default) By default, all commands run in `--mode ro` (read-only). This guarantees: - No writes to values, formulas, formats, or structure - No calculation triggers - No refresh of external data connections - No opening or closing workbooks ### Read-Write Mode Use `--mode rw` only when the user explicitly requests a modification. Always: 1. Confirm the intended change with the user 2. Report what was modified after the operation 3. Remind user to save if they want to keep changes ### Error Handling Commands return JSON with `"ok": true` on success or `"ok": false` with error details: - `NO_EXCEL_INSTANCE`: No Excel processes running - `WORKBOOK_NOT_OPEN`: Target workbook no longer open - `SHEET_NOT_FOUND`: Sheet name doesn't exist - `RANGE_INVALID`: Invalid A1 reference - `MODE_VIOLATION`: Attempted write in read-only mode ## Output Interpretation ### Cell Values - Numbers are returned as JSON numbers - Strings are returned as JSON strings - Booleans are `true`/`false` - Empty cells are `null` - Dates are Excel serial numbers (days since 1899-12-30) ### Formulas - Formulas include the leading `=` - Cells without formulas show `null` in the formulas array - Named range references in `refers_to` use the format `=Sheet!$A$1:$B$10` ## Example User Prompts Users might ask things like: **Exploration:** - "Show me what workbooks are open" - "What sheets are in this workbook?" - "Read the data in A1:D10" - "What's in the Summary sheet?" - "What named ranges are defined?" - "Show me the formulas in column B" **Analysis:** - "Find cells that reference Sheet2" - "What formula is in cell C5?" - "Show me all cells with SUM formulas" - "Are there any circular references?" **Modification:** - "Add a new sheet called Results" - "Rename Sheet1 to RawData" - "Create a named range called SalesTotal for B2:B100" - "Write these values to A1:C3" - "Update the formula in D5 to use the new named range" **Refactoring:** - "Replace hardcoded references with named ranges" - "Consolidate duplicate formulas" - "Standardize the sheet naming" When handling these requests, break down complex tasks into steps, show the user what you find, and confirm before making changes.