Excel / XLSX
Read, write, and generate Excel files with correct types, dates, formulas, and cross-platform compatibility.
Best use case
Excel / XLSX is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Read, write, and generate Excel files with correct types, dates, formulas, and cross-platform compatibility.
Teams using Excel / XLSX should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/excel-xlsx/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How Excel / XLSX Compares
| Feature / Agent | Excel / XLSX | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Read, write, and generate Excel files with correct types, dates, formulas, and cross-platform compatibility.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
## Setup On first use, read `setup.md` for integration guidelines. Ask user preferences naturally during conversation. ## When to Use User needs to read, write, or generate Excel files (.xlsx, .xls, .xlsm). Agent handles type coercion, date serialization, formula evaluation, and cross-platform quirks. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/excel-xlsx/`. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ``` ~/excel-xlsx/ └── memory.md # Preferences, tools, pain points ``` ## Quick Reference | Topic | File | |-------|------| | Setup | `setup.md` | | Memory template | `memory-template.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Dates Are Serial Numbers Excel stores dates as days since 1900-01-01 (Windows) or 1904-01-01 (Mac legacy). Check workbook date system before converting. Time is fractional: 0.5 = noon, 0.25 = 6 AM. ### 2. The 1900 Leap Year Bug Excel incorrectly treats 1900 as a leap year. Serial 60 represents Feb 29, 1900 (invalid date). Account for this when calculating dates before March 1, 1900. ### 3. 15-Digit Precision Limit Numbers beyond 15 digits silently truncate. Use TEXT format for: phone numbers, IDs, credit cards, any long numeric identifiers. Leading zeros also require TEXT. ### 4. Formulas vs Cached Values Cells may contain both formula and cached result. Some readers return formula string, others return cached value. Force recalculation if cached values might be stale. ### 5. Merged Cells Are Traps Only the top-left cell of a merged range holds the value. Reading other cells in the merge returns empty. Hidden rows/columns still contain data. ### 6. Cross-Platform Testing Required Windows vs Mac Excel can differ in date system. LibreOffice/Google Sheets may not support all features. Always test roundtrip compatibility when generating files for unknown consumers. ### 7. Use Streaming for Large Files Loading large files fully into RAM causes memory issues. Use streaming readers (row-by-row) for files with 100K+ rows. Empty rows at end may be padded by some writers. ## Common Traps - **Type inference on read** → Numbers stored as text stay text; explicit conversion needed - **Column index confusion** → A=0 or A=1 varies by library; always verify convention - **Newlines in cells** → `\n` works but cell needs "wrap text" format to display - **External references** → `[Book.xlsx]Sheet!A1` breaks when source file moves - **Password protection** → Trivial to break; not real security; encrypt file externally if needed - **XLSM files** → Contain macros (security risk); XLSB is binary (faster but less compatible) - **Shared strings** → Large files reuse text indices; libraries handle this, but be aware ## Format Limits | Format | Rows | Columns | Notes | |--------|------|---------|-------| | XLSX | 1,048,576 | 16,384 (XFD) | Modern default | | XLS | 65,536 | 256 | Legacy, avoid | | CSV | Unlimited | Unlimited | No formatting | ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** - All file processing happens locally - User preferences stored in `~/excel-xlsx/memory.md` with consent - No external services called **This skill does NOT:** - Send data to external endpoints - Require network access ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `csv` — CSV parsing and generation - `data` — Data processing patterns - `data-analysis` — Analysis workflows ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star excel-xlsx` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`
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