excel_protect_worksheet · Excel Finance MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What excel_protect_worksheet does on Excel Finance MCP

AI agents use excel_protect_worksheet to create or update resources in Excel Finance MCP — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Excel Finance MCP environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why excel_protect_worksheet needs a policy

This tool modifies Excel worksheet configuration by adding password protection. While it affects worksheet access controls, the action is reversible (protection can be removed or passwords changed). It is not destructive (no data deletion), not financial (no money movement), and not execute (no code execution or external operations). It qualifies as Write—a reversible modification of data/configuration.

From the tool's definition Tool named 'excel_protect_worksheet' with description 'Protect a worksheet with a password' - this modifies worksheet properties by adding password protection, a reversible operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

excel_protect_worksheet Rate-limited

excel_protect_worksheet 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": {
    "excel_protect_worksheet": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "excel_protect_worksheet_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Excel Finance MCP, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about excel_protect_worksheet

What does the excel_protect_worksheet tool do? +

Protect a worksheet with a password. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Excel Finance MCP MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on excel_protect_worksheet? +

Register the Excel Finance MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for excel_protect_worksheet: 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 Excel Finance MCP. Nothing to install.

What risk level is excel_protect_worksheet? +

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

Can I rate-limit excel_protect_worksheet? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the excel_protect_worksheet 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 excel_protect_worksheet completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for excel_protect_worksheet. 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 excel_protect_worksheet? +

excel_protect_worksheet is provided by the Excel Finance MCP server (jeremycharlesgillespie/excel-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.