Connecting Claude to API Spreadsheets via MCP

API Spreadsheets Team · Oct 14, 2025

What is the MCP?

The MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets chat apps securely connect to your spreadsheets. Paste a single URL and the chat app gains scoped read/write abilities based on your keys.

API Spreadsheets provides two MCP URL types: Account MCP (search/operate across your files) and File MCP (focus on one file for precise CRUD).

Get your MCP URLs

Click on the AI link in the navbar.
Copy your Account MCP URL (search/operate across your files).

Optionally open a file, then copy its File MCP URL (single-file scope).

Account MCP (example)
https://mcp.apispreadsheets.com/account/54435dcd8305fabe577bb3931ff462aa/889010ee0e37c0809a5b7f223e75cba7

File MCP (example)
https://mcp.apispreadsheets.com/file/zBTprFo94C4esuUo/99fca71f79e3af8f83e4a2a07b875933/13f075445b78e971b37afd625f208d0f

Account vs File MCP — when to use which?

Use Account MCP when…

You want to search or operate across many spreadsheets.
You’re not sure which file contains the data; let MCP auto-select.
You need a quick overview of what files exist.

Use File MCP when…

You want precise CRUD on a known file.
You need to limit scope to one dataset.
You want deterministic updates (always the same file).

MCP tools available

list_files — Account mode only. Returns a compact catalog of your files (name, file hash, input type, available sheets/columns, and whether file keys are present).
read_or_delete — Runs read or delete operations on your files In file mode, operates on the fixed file. In account mode, auto-selects a best-match file and runs the read or delete
create_or_update — Runs create or update. Behaves like above: fixed file in file mode, auto-selection in account mode.

Tip: In account mode, include clear identifiers (file name, column names) in your prompt for best file selection.

Use MCP in Claude Desktop

Download Claude Desktop and sign up for an account (if you don't have this already)

Open Claude → click your avatar → Settings.

Go to Connectors (or Integrations) → Add Custom Connector.

Provide an appropriate name and paste your Account MCP or File MCP URL.

Start a New Chat, toggle the MCP and start chatting

NOTE if you have any trouble turning on the MCP checkbox then re-start your Claude Desktop app and you should be able to activate it

When you ask a question you will be prompted to allow access to the MCP

You can then continue to chat to get the information you need!

Example prompts

What can I ask?

Account MCP — cross-file

What files do I have in my account?
Which files are related to AB Company?
For my PNL.xlsx spreadsheet, update profits for AB Company to 400.
Delete all rows where status equals expired.
Add a row for data.xlsx with: Name=AB Company, Profit=400, Status=ongoing.

File MCP — single file

Show me the last 10 rows where status="pending".
Add a new expense: Date=today, Vendor="ACME", Amount=250.
Update Profit to 400 where Company="AB".
Delete rows where Paid=false.
Summarize totals by Department for this quarter.

Troubleshooting

Cannot connect? Check your MCP URL and re-start the Claude app.
Still cannot connect? Be explicit in asking for the API Spreadsheets MCP to be used.
Too many rows? Prefer a File MCP for focused tasks OR Contact Us for a custom chat solution
Wrong file selected (account mode)? Mention file name/hash and key columns in your prompt.