Create, edit, analyze, or convert Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx, .xlsm) where the workbook file is the primary deliverable. Use for formulas, formatting, financial models, multi-sheet workbooks, and tabular cleanup exported to Excel. Also applies to .csv/.tsv when the user wants
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Create, edit, analyze, or convert Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx, .xlsm) where the workbook file is the primary deliverable. Use for formulas, formatting, financial models, multi-sheet workbooks, and tabular cleanup exported to Excel. Also applies to .csv/.tsv when the user wants
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Stars31,542
Forks3,146
LanguagePython
LicenseMIT
📦 Ships with scientific-agent-skills
</> SKILL.md
xlsx.SKILL.md
---name: xlsx
description: "Create, edit, analyze, or convert Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx, .xlsm) where the workbook file is the primary deliverable. Use for formulas, formatting, financial models, multi-sheet workbooks, and tabular cleanup exported to Excel. Also applies to .csv/.tsv when the user wants spreadsheet output. Do NOT use for Word documents, HTML reports, standalone Python scripts, database pipelines, or Google Sheets API work."
allowed-tools: Read Write Edit Bash Grep Glob
license: Proprietary. LICENSE.txt has complete terms
metadata: {"version": "1.1", "skill-author": "K-Dense Inc."}
compatibility: Requires Python 3.8+, LibreOffice (soffice on PATH), and gcc only when Unix sockets are restricted
---# Requirements for Outputs
## All Excel files
### Professional Font
- Use a consistent, professional font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman) for all deliverables unless otherwise instructed by the user
### Zero Formula Errors
- Every Excel model MUST be delivered with ZERO formula errors (#REF!, #DIV/0!, #VALUE!, #N/A, #NAME?)
### Preserve Existing Templates (when updating templates)
- Study and EXACTLY match existing format, style, and conventions when modifying files
- Never impose standardized formatting on files with established patterns
- Existing template conventions ALWAYS override these guidelines
A user may ask you to create, edit, or analyze the contents of an .xlsx file. You have different tools and workflows available for different tasks.
## Installation
```bash
uv pip install openpyxl pandas
```
Optional — faster Excel reading across formats with pandas 2.2+:
```bash
uv pip install python-calamine
```
For untrusted workbook files, harden openpyxl against XML expansion attacks:
```bash
uv pip install defusedxml
```
See [openpyxl security guidance](https://openpyxl.readthedocs.io/en/stable/index.html#security).
## Important Requirements
**LibreOffice required for formula recalculation**: Assume LibreOffice is installed for recalculating formula values using `scripts/recalc.py`. The script configures LibreOffice on first run, including in sandboxed environments where Unix sockets are restricted (handled by `scripts/office/soffice.py`).
**Always use Excel formulas instead of calculating values in Python and hardcoding them.** This ensures the spreadsheet remains dynamic and updateable.
### ❌ WRONG - Hardcoding Calculated Values
```python
# Bad: Calculating in Python and hardcoding result
This applies to ALL calculations - totals, percentages, ratios, differences, etc. The spreadsheet should be able to recalculate when source data changes.
## Common Workflow
1. **Choose tool**: pandas for data, openpyxl for formulas/formatting
2. **Create/Load**: Create new workbook or load existing file
3. **Modify**: Add/edit data, formulas, and formatting
4. **Save**: Write to file
5. **Recalculate formulas (MANDATORY IF USING FORMULAS)**: Use the `scripts/recalc.py` script
```bash
python skills/xlsx/scripts/recalc.py output.xlsx
```
6. **Verify and fix any errors**:
- The script returns JSON with error details
- If `status` is `errors_found`, check `error_summary` for specific error types and locations
- Fix the identified errors and recalculate again
- Common errors to fix:
- `#REF!`: Invalid cell references
- `#DIV/0!`: Division by zero
- `#VALUE!`: Wrong data type in formula
- `#NAME?`: Unrecognized formula name
### Creating new Excel files
```python
# Using openpyxl for formulas and formatting
from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.styles import Font, PatternFill, Alignment
# Using openpyxl to preserve formulas and formatting
from openpyxl import load_workbook
# Load existing file
wb = load_workbook('existing.xlsx')
sheet = wb.active # or wb['SheetName'] for specific sheet
# Working with multiple sheets
for sheet_name in wb.sheetnames:
sheet = wb[sheet_name]
print(f"Sheet: {sheet_name}")
# Modify cells
sheet['A1'] = 'New Value'
sheet.insert_rows(2) # Insert row at position 2
sheet.delete_cols(3) # Delete column 3
# Add new sheet
new_sheet = wb.create_sheet('NewSheet')
new_sheet['A1'] = 'Data'
wb.save('modified.xlsx')
```
## Recalculating formulas
Excel files created or modified by openpyxl contain formulas as strings but not calculated values. Use the provided `scripts/recalc.py` script to recalculate formulas:
