Imported from reason-machines/mcp-skills (skills/opendocswork-mcp-office-processing/SKILL.md). Install upstream with npx skills add reason-machines/mcp-skills --skill opendocswork-mcp-office-processing. Copyright stays with the author.

opendocswork-mcp-office-processing

Skill by ara.so — MCP Skills collection.

Overview

office-oxide-mcp is a Rust-native MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI assistants to read, write, and manipulate Office documents (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, PDF) with sub-millisecond performance. It's designed as an open-source alternative to commercial document processing libraries, offering local-first, fast document operations.

Key capabilities:

Read Excel, Word, PowerPoint, PDF → JSON/Markdown/Text
Write Excel spreadsheets with formulas, charts, formatting
Create Word documents from Markdown, manipulate styles, tables
Generate PowerPoint presentations with slides, charts, images
Fill PDF forms (AcroForm/XFA) and overlay text on flat PDFs
Extract structured data and metadata from all formats
Skills system for reusable document workflows

Installation

Cargo Install

cargo install office-oxide-mcp

From Source

git clone https://github.com/Aimino-Tech/office-oxide-mcp.git
cd office-oxide-mcp
cargo build --release
# Binary at target/release/office-oxide-mcp

Binary Download

Download pre-built binaries from GitHub Releases.

Configuration

Claude Desktop

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "office": {
      "command": "office-oxide-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to Cursor MCP settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "office-oxide-mcp": {
      "command": "office-oxide-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (Copilot)

Add to .vscode/mcp.json:

{
  "servers": {
    "office-oxide-mcp": {
      "command": "office-oxide-mcp",
      "args": ["--transport", "stdio"]
    }
  }
}

Environment Variables

# Optional: Set custom temp directory
export OFFICE_OXIDE_TEMP_DIR=/path/to/temp

# Optional: Enable debug logging
export RUST_LOG=office_oxide_mcp=debug

Core MCP Tools

Discovery & Metadata

`list_formats`

List all supported document formats and capabilities.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "list_formats"
  }
}

`get_document_info`

Get metadata about a document file.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_document_info",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/document.xlsx"
    }
  }
}

Response includes: format, file size, modification time, read/write capabilities.

Reading Documents

`office_read`

Universal document reader supporting multiple output formats.

Read Excel to JSON:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_read",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/data.xlsx",
      "output_format": "json"
    }
  }
}

Read Word to Markdown:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_read",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/report.docx",
      "output_format": "markdown"
    }
  }
}

Read PDF to Text:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_read",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/document.pdf",
      "output_format": "text"
    }
  }
}

Output format options: json, markdown, text, chunks

Excel Operations

Creating Spreadsheets

`office_create_xlsx`

Create a new Excel workbook.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_create_xlsx",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Summary"
    }
  }
}

`office_write_cell`

Write a single cell value.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_write_cell",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Summary",
      "cell": "A1",
      "value": "Revenue",
      "value_type": "text"
    }
  }
}

Value types: text, number, formula, date, boolean

`office_write_range`

Write multiple cells at once.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_write_range",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Data",
      "start_cell": "A1",
      "data": [
        ["Name", "Age", "Salary"],
        ["Alice", 30, 75000],
        ["Bob", 25, 65000]
      ]
    }
  }
}

Formatting

`office_format_range`

Apply formatting to cell ranges.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_format_range",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Summary",
      "range": "A1:C1",
      "format": {
        "bold": true,
        "font_size": 14,
        "bg_color": "#4472C4",
        "font_color": "#FFFFFF"
      }
    }
  }
}

Format options: bold, italic, underline, font_size, font_name, bg_color, font_color, border, number_format

`office_merge_cells`

Merge cell ranges.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_merge_cells",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Report",
      "range": "A1:D1"
    }
  }
}

`office_set_column_width`

Set column width.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_set_column_width",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Data",
      "column": "A",
      "width": 25.0
    }
  }
}

Charts & Visualizations

`office_create_chart`

Create charts in Excel.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_create_chart",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "Dashboard",
      "chart_type": "column",
      "data_range": "A1:B5",
      "title": "Monthly Sales",
      "position": "D2"
    }
  }
}

Chart types: column, bar, line, pie, scatter, area

Sheet Management

`office_add_sheet`

Add a new worksheet.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_add_sheet",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "NewSheet"
    }
  }
}

`office_rename_sheet`

Rename existing worksheet.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_rename_sheet",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.xlsx",
      "old_name": "Sheet1",
      "new_name": "Q4Results"
    }
  }
}

Word Document Operations

Creating Documents

`office_create_docx`

Create a new Word document.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_create_docx",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.docx"
    }
  }
}

`office_write_docx_from_md`

Create Word document from Markdown.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_write_docx_from_md",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.docx",
      "markdown": "# Annual Report\n\n## Executive Summary\n\nRevenue increased by **25%** this year.\n\n- Q1: $1.2M\n- Q2: $1.5M\n- Q3: $1.8M\n- Q4: $2.1M"
    }
  }
}

Text Manipulation

`office_replace_text`

Replace text in document.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_replace_text",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/template.docx",
      "output_path": "/path/to/output.docx",
      "replacements": {
        "{{CUSTOMER_NAME}}": "Acme Corporation",
        "{{DATE}}": "2024-06-15",
        "{{AMOUNT}}": "$50,000"
      }
    }
  }
}

Styling

`office_set_style`

Apply paragraph or character styles.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_set_style",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.docx",
      "paragraph_index": 0,
      "style": {
        "font_size": 24,
        "bold": true,
        "color": "#1F4E78"
      }
    }
  }
}

Tables & Images

`office_add_table`

Insert table into document.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_add_table",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.docx",
      "rows": 3,
      "cols": 4,
      "data": [
        ["Quarter", "Revenue", "Expenses", "Profit"],
        ["Q1", "$1.2M", "$0.8M", "$0.4M"],
        ["Q2", "$1.5M", "$0.9M", "$0.6M"]
      ]
    }
  }
}

`office_add_image`

Insert image into document.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_add_image",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/output.docx",
      "image_path": "/path/to/chart.png",
      "width": 400,
      "height": 300
    }
  }
}

PowerPoint Operations

Creating Presentations

`office_create_pptx`

Create new PowerPoint presentation.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_create_pptx",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/presentation.pptx"
    }
  }
}

`office_add_slide`

Add slide to presentation.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_add_slide",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/presentation.pptx",
      "layout": "title_slide",
      "title": "Q4 Business Review",
      "subtitle": "Executive Summary"
    }
  }
}

Layout options: title_slide, title_content, section_header, two_column, comparison, blank

`office_add_text_box`

Add text box to slide.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_add_text_box",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/presentation.pptx",
      "slide_index": 1,
      "text": "Revenue increased 25% YoY",
      "x": 100,
      "y": 200,
      "width": 400,
      "height": 100
    }
  }
}

`office_add_chart`

Add chart to slide.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_add_chart",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/presentation.pptx",
      "slide_index": 2,
      "chart_type": "column",
      "data": {
        "categories": ["Q1", "Q2", "Q3", "Q4"],
        "series": [
          {"name": "Revenue", "values": [1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.1]},
          {"name": "Expenses", "values": [0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1]}
        ]
      },
      "title": "Quarterly Performance"
    }
  }
}

PDF Operations

Reading PDFs

Use office_read with PDF files:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_read",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/document.pdf",
      "output_format": "markdown"
    }
  }
}

PDF Form Filling

`office_list_pdf_fields`

List all form fields in PDF.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_list_pdf_fields",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/form.pdf"
    }
  }
}

Returns: Array of fields with names, types, and current values.

`office_fill_pdf_form`

Fill PDF form fields (AcroForm/XFA).

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_fill_pdf_form",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/form.pdf",
      "output_path": "/path/to/filled.pdf",
      "fields": {
        "full_name": "John Smith",
        "email": "john.smith@example.com",
        "date_of_birth": "1990-05-15",
        "agree_terms": true
      }
    }
  }
}

PDF Text Overlay (Flat PDFs)

For PDFs without form fields, overlay text at specific coordinates.

`office_analyze_pdf_layout`

Analyze PDF to find text positions for overlay planning.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_analyze_pdf_layout",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/flat_form.pdf"
    }
  }
}

Returns: Text positions, bounding boxes, and suggested coordinates.

`office_overlay_pdf_text`

Overlay text at specific coordinates.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_overlay_pdf_text",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/flat_form.pdf",
      "output_path": "/path/to/filled.pdf",
      "fields": [
        {
          "text": "John Smith",
          "page": 0,
          "x": 150.0,
          "y": 700.0,
          "font_size": 12,
          "font": "Helvetica"
        },
        {
          "text": "john.smith@example.com",
          "page": 0,
          "x": 150.0,
          "y": 650.0,
          "font_size": 12,
          "font": "Helvetica"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

PDF Export

`office_export_pdf`

Export Office documents to PDF.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_export_pdf",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/report.docx",
      "output_path": "/path/to/report.pdf"
    }
  }
}

Skills System

Reusable document processing workflows.

`skill_list`

List available skills.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "skill_list"
  }
}

Built-in skills:

excel.basic - Basic spreadsheet operations
word.invoice - Invoice generation
word.report - Report creation
ppt.deck - Presentation decks

`skill_run`

Execute a skill with parameters.

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "skill_run",
    "arguments": {
      "skill_name": "word.invoice",
      "params": {
        "output_path": "/path/to/invoice.docx",
        "invoice_number": "INV-2024-001",
        "customer_name": "Acme Corp",
        "items": [
          {"description": "Consulting Services", "quantity": 40, "rate": 150},
          {"description": "Software License", "quantity": 1, "rate": 5000}
        ],
        "due_date": "2024-07-15"
      }
    }
  }
}

Common Patterns

Financial Report Generation

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_create_xlsx",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/tmp/financial_report.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "P&L"
    }
  }
}

Then write headers:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_write_range",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/tmp/financial_report.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "P&L",
      "start_cell": "A1",
      "data": [
        ["Category", "Q1", "Q2", "Q3", "Q4", "Total"],
        ["Revenue", 1200000, 1500000, 1800000, 2100000, "=SUM(B2:E2)"],
        ["Expenses", 800000, 900000, 1000000, 1100000, "=SUM(B3:E3)"],
        ["Profit", "=B2-B3", "=C2-C3", "=D2-D3", "=E2-E3", "=F2-F3"]
      ]
    }
  }
}

Format headers:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_format_range",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/tmp/financial_report.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "P&L",
      "range": "A1:F1",
      "format": {
        "bold": true,
        "bg_color": "#4472C4",
        "font_color": "#FFFFFF"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add chart:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_create_chart",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/tmp/financial_report.xlsx",
      "sheet_name": "P&L",
      "chart_type": "column",
      "data_range": "A1:E4",
      "title": "Quarterly P&L",
      "position": "H2"
    }
  }
}

Batch PDF Form Filling

# Pseudo-code for batch operation
customers = [
    {"name": "Alice", "email": "alice@example.com", "amount": 1500},
    {"name": "Bob", "email": "bob@example.com", "amount": 2000}
]

for customer in customers:
    mcp_call("office_fill_pdf_form", {
        "file_path": "/templates/contract.pdf",
        "output_path": f"/output/contract_{customer['name']}.pdf",
        "fields": {
            "customer_name": customer["name"],
            "email": customer["email"],
            "contract_amount": str(customer["amount"]),
            "date": "2024-06-15"
        }
    })

Document Template Processing

Read template, replace placeholders, export to PDF:

[
  {
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
      "name": "office_replace_text",
      "arguments": {
        "file_path": "/templates/proposal.docx",
        "output_path": "/tmp/proposal_draft.docx",
        "replacements": {
          "{{CLIENT}}": "Acme Corporation",
          "{{PROJECT}}": "Digital Transformation",
          "{{BUDGET}}": "$250,000",
          "{{TIMELINE}}": "6 months"
        }
      }
    }
  },
  {
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
      "name": "office_export_pdf",
      "arguments": {
        "file_path": "/tmp/proposal_draft.docx",
        "output_path": "/output/proposal_final.pdf"
      }
    }
  }
]

Troubleshooting

"File not found" errors

Ensure absolute paths or correct relative paths from working directory:

{
  "file_path": "/absolute/path/to/file.xlsx"
}

Or use environment variable expansion if supported by your MCP client.

Excel formulas not calculating

Formulas are stored but may not show calculated values until opened in Excel. To force calculation, use cell references in subsequent operations or open in Excel.

PDF form fields not filling

Check field names with office_list_pdf_fields
Ensure field names match exactly (case-sensitive)
For flat PDFs without forms, use office_overlay_pdf_text instead

Memory issues with large files

The server is optimized for performance but very large files (>100MB) may require streaming:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "office_read",
    "arguments": {
      "file_path": "/path/to/large.xlsx",
      "output_format": "chunks"
    }
  }
}

Process in chunks rather than loading entire file.

Permission errors

Ensure the MCP server process has read/write permissions:

chmod 644 /path/to/input.xlsx
chmod 755 /path/to/output/

Chart rendering issues

Some chart types require specific data structures. Use excel.basic skill as reference:

{
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "skill_validate",
    "arguments": {
      "skill_name": "excel.basic"
    }
  }
}

Markdown to Word conversion

Complex Markdown may require preprocessing. Supported elements:

Headers (# ## ###)
Bold (text)
Italic (text)
Lists (- item)
Links (text)
Code blocks (code)

Unsupported: HTML tags, custom CSS, advanced tables.

Performance Tips

Batch operations: Use office_write_range instead of multiple office_write_cell calls
File handles: Close/save files between operations if modifying repeatedly
Chart data: Prefer cell references over inline data for large datasets
PDF overlay: Analyze layout once, cache coordinates for batch operations
Skills: Use pre-built skills for common patterns (faster than manual tool calls)

Version Compatibility

Rust: 1.70+
MCP Protocol: 0.1.x
Office formats: Excel 2007+, Word 2007+, PowerPoint 2007+, PDF 1.4+

About

opendocswork-mcp-office-processing

Overview

Installation

Cargo Install

From Source

Binary Download

Configuration

Claude Desktop

Cursor

VS Code (Copilot)

Environment Variables

Core MCP Tools

Discovery & Metadata

list_formats

get_document_info

Reading Documents

office_read

Excel Operations

Creating Spreadsheets

office_create_xlsx

office_write_cell

office_write_range

Formatting

office_format_range

office_merge_cells

office_set_column_width