clear_values
Empties the VALUES of one or more A1 ranges in a single call — cell contents and formulas are gone (no undo through the API), while formatting, data validation, notes, conditional formats and merges all stay. To also remove formatting use format_cells or raw_request; to delete whole rows/columns ...
This record as markdown: /tools/a1-x-tech-mcp-google-sheets/clear-values.md
What clear_values does on Mcp Google Sheets
AI agents call clear_values to permanently remove resources in Mcp Google Sheets, typically in cleanup and lifecycle workflows. It does its job in a single call, and there is no undo.
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
ranges | array | Yes | The A1 ranges to clear. |
spreadsheet_id | string | Yes | The spreadsheet id — the long id from the URL (docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/<spreadsheetId>/edit) or from create_spreadsheet / search_spreadsheets output. |
Parameters from the server's own tool schema.
Why clear_values is rated Critical
Irreversibly deletes cell content and formulas with no API-level undo capability.
From the tool's definition Empties VALUES... cell contents and formulas are gone (no undo through the API)
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs clear_values safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Google Sheets, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For clear_values, this is the rule to start with:
clear_values is removed from the agent's tool list entirely, so the agent never calls it. The rest of the server keeps working.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Mcp Google Sheets, apply this rule, and every clear_values call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about clear_values
Empties the VALUES of one or more A1 ranges in a single call — cell contents and formulas are gone (no undo through the API), while formatting, data validation, notes, conditional formats and merges all stay. To also remove formatting use format_cells or raw_request; to delete whole rows/columns (not just their content) use manage_dimensions action=delete. It is categorised as a Destructive tool in the Mcp Google Sheets MCP Server, which means it can permanently delete or destroy data. Block by default and require explicit approval.
clear_values accepts 2 parameters: ranges, spreadsheet_id. Required: ranges, spreadsheet_id. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.
Register the Mcp Google Sheets MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for clear_values: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Mcp Google Sheets. Nothing to install.
clear_values is a Destructive tool with critical risk. Critical-risk tools should be blocked by default and only enabled with explicit human approval.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the clear_values rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for clear_values. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
clear_values is provided by the Mcp Google Sheets MCP server (@a1-x-tech/mcp-google-sheets). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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