write_values

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

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 53 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

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

WHAT IT DOES

What write_values does on Mcp Google Sheets

AI agents use write_values to create or update resources in Mcp Google Sheets, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Mcp Google Sheets environment.

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
`range`	string	Yes	A1-notation range, e.g. "Sheet1!A1:C10", "'My sheet'!B2:D" (quote titles with spaces) or a bare sheet title for the whole sheet.
`values`	array	Yes	2-D array of cell values, outer array = rows: [["Name","Score"],["Ada",42]]. null leaves the existing cell untouched.
`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.
`value_input_option`	string	—	USER_ENTERED (default) parses formulas/numbers/dates; RAW stores literal strings.
`include_values_in_response`	boolean	—	Return the written cells (as rendered) in the response.

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

RISK

Why write_values is rated Medium

Modifies spreadsheet data reversibly; high impact if misused but not permanently destructive.

From the tool's definition Overwrites one A1 range with a 2-D values matrix; reversible modification.

Risk signalsBulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs write_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 write_values, this is the rule to start with:

write_values Rate-limited

write_values stays usable, but capped: an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "write_values": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "write_values_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT 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 write_values call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about write_values

What does the write_values tool do? +

Overwrites one A1 range with a 2-D values matrix (rows first) and returns updatedRange/updatedRows/updatedColumns/updatedCells. The matrix is anchored at the range's top-left corner; cells beyond the matrix keep their old content, and a null entry skips (does not clear) that cell — use clear_values to empty cells. value_input_option USER_ENTERED (default) parses input like typing in the UI: "=SUM(A1:A10)" becomes a live formula, "1,234" and "2026-01-15" become number/date per the spreadsheet locale; RAW stores everything as literal values. For several ranges use batch_write_values (one quota unit instead of N). It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mcp Google Sheets MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

What parameters does write_values accept? +

write_values accepts 5 parameters: range, values, spreadsheet_id, value_input_option, include_values_in_response. Required: range, values, spreadsheet_id. The full parameter table on this page comes from the server's own tool schema.

How do I enforce a policy on write_values? +

Register the Mcp Google Sheets MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for write_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 write_values? +

write_values is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit write_values? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the write_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 write_values completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for write_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 write_values? +

write_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

More on Mcp Google Sheets, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 20 Mcp Google Sheets tools →

Across the catalogue

write_file on 0sec → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

Govern customer-ops agents →Argument validation →Scoped token →