read_values

SERVERMcp Google Sheets SOURCE@a1-x-tech/mcp-google-sheets

Low RISK CLASS

Category Read

Parameters 52 required

Recommended Allowedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/a1-x-tech-mcp-google-sheets/read-values.md

WHAT IT DOES

What read_values does on Mcp Google Sheets

AI agents call read_values to retrieve information from Mcp Google Sheets without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`ranges`	array	Yes	One or more A1 ranges to read in a single call.
`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.
`major_dimension`	string	—	Whether the outer array is rows (default) or columns.
`value_render_option`	string	—	How values are rendered (default FORMATTED_VALUE); FORMULA returns formula text.
`date_time_render_option`	string	—	How dates/times render with UNFORMATTED_VALUE (default SERIAL_NUMBER).

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why read_values is rated Low

Retrieves spreadsheet data with no side effects; no modification or deletion capability.

From the tool's definition Reads one or more A1 ranges; returns valueRanges[] with resolved range and 2-D values array.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs read_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 read_values, this is the rule to start with:

read_values Allowed

read_values is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "read_values": {}
  }
}

ALLOW ONLY THIS TOOL → Instant setup, no code required.

The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect Mcp Google Sheets, apply this rule, and every read_values call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about read_values

What does the read_values tool do? +

Reads one or more A1 ranges in a single call (one request against the quota, however many ranges) and returns valueRanges[] — each with its resolved range and a 2-D values array (outer = rows unless major_dimension=COLUMNS). Trailing empty rows/columns are omitted; a fully empty range has no values key at all. value_render_option: FORMATTED_VALUE (default, strings as displayed, honoring the cell's number format and locale), UNFORMATTED_VALUE (raw numbers/booleans), FORMULA (the formula text, e.g. "=SUM(A1:A10)" — the way to read formulas). With UNFORMATTED_VALUE, dates arrive as serial numbers unless date_time_render_option=FORMATTED_STRING. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Google Sheets MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

What parameters does read_values accept? +

read_values accepts 5 parameters: ranges, spreadsheet_id, major_dimension, value_render_option, date_time_render_option. Required: ranges, spreadsheet_id. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on read_values? +

Register the Mcp Google Sheets MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for read_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.

What risk level is read_values? +

read_values is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit read_values? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the read_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.

How do I block read_values completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for read_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.

What MCP server provides read_values? +

read_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.

KEEP EXPLORING

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