set_formatting

Apply character formatting to text with tracked-change markup.

SERVERDocx SOURCEsecurityronin/docx-mcp

Medium RISK CLASS

Category Write

Parameters 00 required

Recommended Rate-limitedsee the rule below

Registry record Grade F, identity unverified Pull the record →

This record as markdown: /tools/securityronin-docx-mcp/set-formatting.md

WHAT IT DOES

What set_formatting does on Docx

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

RISK

Why set_formatting is rated Medium

This tool modifies document formatting properties, which is a Write operation—it creates or alters content reversibly. While formatting changes could affect document appearance and potentially obscure content when misused, they remain undoable via track changes and do not cause irreversible data loss or execute arbitrary code.

From the tool's definition Tool name 'set_formatting' and description 'Apply character formatting to text with tracked-change markup' indicate modification of document content.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

RECOMMENDED RULE

The rule that runs set_formatting safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Docx, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For set_formatting, this is the rule to start with:

set_formatting Rate-limited

set_formatting 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": {
    "set_formatting": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "set_formatting_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 Docx, apply this rule, and every set_formatting call is checked against it from then on.

FAQ

Questions about set_formatting

What does the set_formatting tool do? +

Apply character formatting to text with tracked-change markup. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Docx MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on set_formatting? +

Register the Docx MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for set_formatting: 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 Docx. Nothing to install.

What risk level is set_formatting? +

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

Can I rate-limit set_formatting? +

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

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

set_formatting is provided by the Docx MCP server (securityronin/docx-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

KEEP EXPLORING

More on Docx, and thousands of servers like it.

This server

All 219 Docx tools →

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emit_assumption_set on 0sec →set-prioity on Kanban MCP Server →team_manager_set_sources on Team Manager MCP → The MCP Attack Database →

Guides

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