Returns the currently selected Excel range (address, dimensions, and values). Optionally includes formulas and number formats. Requires an Excel add-in target with Excel.run available.
Part of the Excel Webview2 MCP server. Enforce policies on this tool with Intercept, the open-source MCP proxy.
AI agents invoke excel_active_range to trigger processes or run actions in Excel Webview2. Execute operations can have side effects beyond the immediate call -- triggering builds, sending notifications, or starting workflows. Rate limits and argument validation are essential to prevent runaway execution.
excel_active_range can trigger processes with real-world consequences. An uncontrolled agent might start dozens of builds, send mass notifications, or kick off expensive compute jobs. Intercept enforces rate limits and validates arguments to keep execution within safe bounds.
Execute tools trigger processes. Rate-limit and validate arguments to prevent unintended side effects.
tools:
excel_active_range:
rules:
- action: allow
rate_limit:
max: 10
window: 60
validate:
required_args: trueSee the full Excel Webview2 policy for all 59 tools.
Agents calling execute-class tools like excel_active_range have been implicated in these attack patterns. Read the full case and prevention policy for each:
Other tools in the Execute risk category across the catalogue. The same policy patterns (rate-limit, validate) apply to each.
excel_active_range is one of the high-risk operations in Excel Webview2. For the full severity-focused view — only the high-risk tools with their recommended policies — see the breakdown for this server, or browse all high-risk tools across every MCP server.
Returns the currently selected Excel range (address, dimensions, and values). Optionally includes formulas and number formats. Requires an Excel add-in target with Excel.run available.. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the Excel Webview2 MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.
Add a rule in your Intercept YAML policy under the tools section for excel_active_range. You can allow, deny, rate-limit, or validate arguments. Then run Intercept as a proxy in front of the Excel Webview2 MCP server.
excel_active_range is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the excel_active_range rule in your Intercept 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 Intercept policy for excel_active_range. 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.
excel_active_range is provided by the Excel Webview2 MCP server (@dsbissett/excel-webview2-mcp). Intercept sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Deterministic policy on every MCP tool call. Per-identity grants. Full audit log.