create_worksheet · Excel MCP Server MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What create_worksheet does on Excel MCP Server

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

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why create_worksheet needs a policy

Creating a worksheet modifies the workbook structure but is fully reversible (the worksheet can be deleted). It does not retrieve data (Read), execute arbitrary code (Execute), permanently destroy data (Destructive), or involve financial transactions (Financial).

From the tool's definition Tool name 'create_worksheet' and description 'Create new worksheet in workbook' indicate creation of a new data structure within an existing Excel workbook. This is a reversible modification operation.

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

create_worksheet Rate-limited

create_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": {
    "create_worksheet": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "create_worksheet_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

FAQ

Questions about create_worksheet

What does the create_worksheet tool do? +

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

How do I enforce a policy on create_worksheet? +

Register the Excel MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for create_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 MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is create_worksheet? +

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

Can I rate-limit create_worksheet? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the create_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 create_worksheet completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for create_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 create_worksheet? +

create_worksheet is provided by the Excel MCP Server MCP server (thibaudvandendooren-acumen/excel-mcp-server-v2). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.