local-xlsx-editor

name	local-xlsx-editor
description	Edit Excel spreadsheets (XLSX) locally without Canva API. Use this skill when user provides an XLSX file and wants to modify data, update formulas, or change formatting. Maintains original formulas, formatting, and structure. Does NOT require Canva. Output goes to output/ folder. Use for: "edit this spreadsheet", "update cell A5", "change Excel data".

Local XLSX Editor Skill

QUICK REFERENCE

• Utility script: scripts/local/xlsx_utils.py
• Sample script: scripts/samples/sample_xlsx_edit.py
• Safe copy: scripts/local/safe_copy.py
• Output folder: output/xlsx/
• Working folder: output/working/
• Run with: .venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/samples/sample_xlsx_edit.py
• 3-Step workflow: (1) Copy from input/ to output/working/ → (2) Edit the copy → (3) Save to output/xlsx/
• Python: ALWAYS use .venv\Scripts\python.exe (never bare python)

Edit and manipulate Excel spreadsheets locally without requiring Canva API.

CRITICAL: Never Modify Original Files

1. ALWAYS copy the original to output/working/ first
2. ALL edits happen on the copy
3. SAVE results to output/xlsx/
4. ORIGINAL file remains untouched

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• User provides an XLSX/XLS file and wants modifications
• Need to update cell values or formulas
• Need to add/remove rows or columns
• User has NOT explicitly asked to use Canva

Capabilities

Read Operations

• Read cell values and formulas
• Get sheet names and structure
• Extract data ranges
• Analyze formulas

Write Operations

• Update cell values
• Modify formulas
• Add/remove rows and columns
• Add/copy/delete sheets

Conversion

• XLSX to CSV
• CSV to XLSX

Running Python Scripts (Virtual Environment)

IMPORTANT: Always use the virtual environment Python:

# Windows
.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/script_name.py

# macOS/Linux
.venv/bin/python scripts/local/script_name.py

Workflow

Step 1: Create Safe Copy

.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/safe_copy.py --source "input/data.xlsx"

Step 2: Analyze

.venv\Scripts\python.exe scripts/local/xlsx_utils.py "output/working/data_copy.xlsx"

Step 3: Make Modifications

Use xlsx_utils.py for:

• Update specific cells
• Find and replace
• Modify ranges

Step 4: Save Result

Save to output/xlsx/data_modified.xlsx

3-Mode Workflow

MODE 1: PLAN

• Analyze spreadsheet structure
• List sheets and data ranges
• Document proposed changes

MODE 2: CLARIFY

• Confirm cells to modify
• Verify formula handling
• Check formatting requirements

MODE 3: IMPLEMENT

• Create working copy
• Apply modifications
• Save to output folder

Formula Handling

• Formulas automatically recalculate when referenced cells change
• Relative references adjust when rows/columns added
• Named ranges maintained

Research Capabilities

This skill can:

• Search for Excel best practices
• Look up openpyxl documentation
• Research spreadsheet formulas
• Find solutions to specific challenges

Available Scripts

• xlsx_utils.py - Core XLSX analysis and manipulation
• safe_copy.py - Create working copies safely

Todo List Tracking (REQUIRED)

ALWAYS use TodoWrite to track progress:

[
  {"content": "Create safe working copy", "status": "in_progress", "activeForm": "Creating safe copy"},
  {"content": "Analyze spreadsheet structure", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Analyzing spreadsheet"},
  {"content": "Apply modifications", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Applying changes"},
  {"content": "Save to output/xlsx/", "status": "pending", "activeForm": "Saving result"}
]

Output Location

• output/xlsx/ - Modified spreadsheets
• output/working/ - Working copies