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xlsx-author

xlsx-author

github.com/anthropicsDocuments40.9k1.4k installsUpdated today
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About xlsx-author

xlsx-author is a skill for headless agent runs that create Excel workbooks as file artifacts. It uses Python and openpyxl, with modeling conventions for inputs, formulas, links, and balance checks.

Key features

  1. 01Create Excel files with openpyxl
  2. 02Separate inputs from calculation cells
  3. 03Use color conventions for cell types
  4. 04Add named ranges and balance checks
  5. 05Save output under ./out/

Use cases

  1. 01Deliver a workbook from a headless agent run
  2. 02Build a financial model with traceable inputs
  3. 03Check workbook balances before delivery

Install

Copy the command and run it in a terminal.

$npx skills add https://github.com/anthropics/financial-services --skill xlsx-author

After installing, type/xlsx-authorin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.

Details

From the project README

xlsx-author

Use this skill when running headless (managed-agent / CMA mode) and you need to deliver an Excel workbook as a file artifact rather than editing a live workbook via mcp__office__excel_*.

Output contract

  • Write to ./out/<name>.xlsx. Create ./out/ if it does not exist.
  • Return the relative path in your final message so the orchestration layer can collect it.

How to build the workbook

Write a short Python script and run it with Bash. Use openpyxl:

from openpyxl import Workbook
from openpyxl.styles import Font, PatternFill

wb = Workbook()
ws = wb.active; ws.title = "Inputs"
ws["B2"] = "Revenue"; ws["C2"] = 1_250_000_000
ws["C2"].font = Font(color="0000FF")           # blue = hardcoded input
calc = wb.create_sheet("DCF")
calc["C5"] = "=Inputs!C2*(1+Inputs!C3)"        # black = formula
wb.save("./out/model.xlsx")

Conventions (mirror audit-xls)

  • Blue / black / green. Blue = hardcoded input, black = formula, green = link to another sheet/file.
  • No hardcodes in calc cells. Every calculation cell is a formula; every input lives on an Inputs tab.
  • Named ranges for any value referenced from a deck or memo.
  • Balance checks. Include a Checks tab that ties (BS balances, CF ties to cash, etc.) and surfaces TRUE/FALSE.
  • One model per file. Do not append to an existing workbook unless explicitly asked.

When NOT to use

If mcp__office__excel_* tools are available (Cowork plugin mode), use those instead — they drive the user's live workbook with review checkpoints. This skill is the file-producing fallback for headless runs.

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