Google Sheets MCP server

Automate data entry, analysis, and reporting with an AI agent that reads and writes spreadsheets. This MCP server enables bulk data uploads, formula creation, chart generation, and dashboard updates—eliminating manual spreadsheet work and keeping your data current.

Setting up an MCP server

This article covers the standard steps for creating an MCP server in AI Gateway and connecting it to an AI client. The steps are the same for every integration — application-specific details (API credentials, OAuth endpoints, and scopes) are covered in the individual application pages.

Before you begin

You'll need:

• Access to AI Gateway with permission to create MCP servers
• API credentials for the application you're connecting (see the relevant application page for what to collect)

Create an MCP server

Find the API in the catalog

1. Sign in to AI Gateway and select MCP Servers from the left navigation.
2. Select New MCP Server.
3. Search for the application you want to connect, then select it from the catalog.

Configure the server

1. Enter a Name for your server — something descriptive that identifies both the application and its purpose (for example, "Zendesk Support — Prod").
2. Enter a Description so your team knows what the server is for.
3. Set the Timeout value. 30 seconds works for most APIs; increase to 60 seconds for APIs that return large payloads.
4. Toggle Production mode on if this server will be used in a live workflow.
5. Select Next.

Configure authentication

Enter the authentication details for the application. This varies by service — see the Authentication section of the relevant application page for the specific credentials, OAuth URLs, and scopes to use.

Configure security

1. Set any Rate limits appropriate for your use case and the API's own limits.
2. Enable Logging if you want AI Gateway to record requests and responses for auditing.
3. Select Next.

Deploy

Review the summary, then select Deploy. AI Gateway provisions the server and provides a server URL you'll use when configuring your AI client.

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Connect to an AI client

Once your server is deployed, you'll need to add it to the AI client your team uses. Select your client for setup instructions:

• Claude Desktop
• Claude Code
• Cursor
• VS Code
• Windsurf

Tips

• You can create multiple MCP servers for the same application — for example, a read-only server for reporting agents and a read-write server for automation workflows.
• If you're unsure which OAuth scopes to request, start with the minimum read-only set and add write scopes only when needed. Most application pages include scope recommendations.
• You can edit a server's name, description, timeout, and security settings after deployment without redeploying.

Authentication

Google Sheets API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication. Create OAuth credentials in Google Cloud Console with the application type "Web application" and add the redirect URI https://auth.aigateway.cequence.ai/v1/outbound/oauth/callback. The authorization endpoint is https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/v2/auth and token endpoint is https://oauth2.googleapis.com/token. Key scopes include https://www.googleapis.com/auth/spreadsheets (full read/write access to spreadsheets), https://www.googleapis.com/auth/spreadsheets.readonly (read-only), and https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file (file operations for creation and management).

Available tools

These tools provide complete control over spreadsheet data, formatting, formulas, and analysis.

Tool	Description
Create spreadsheet	Create a new blank spreadsheet
Get spreadsheet	Retrieve spreadsheet metadata and structure
Get values	Read cell values from a range using A1 notation
Update values	Write data to a range of cells
Append values	Add rows of data to the end of a sheet
Clear values	Delete content from a range
Batch update	Apply multiple formatting and data changes at once
Insert sheet	Add a new sheet to the spreadsheet
Delete sheet	Remove a sheet from the spreadsheet
Insert rows/columns	Add empty rows or columns at a specific position
Delete rows/columns	Remove rows or columns from the sheet
Create named range	Define a named range for formulas and references
Add formula	Insert a formula (SUM, VLOOKUP, etc.) into a cell
Create chart	Generate a chart from spreadsheet data
Update chart	Modify chart type, data range, or title
Apply formatting	Set cell colors, fonts, borders, and number formats
Create data validation	Add dropdown lists or number ranges to cells
Create filter	Set up filter views to display specific rows

Tips

Use spreadsheets.readonly scope for read-only dashboards and reporting to minimize risk if credentials leak.

Use batch operations when uploading large datasets to reduce API calls—send all updates in one request rather than row by row.

Stick to functions that perform well at scale (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNTIF) and avoid volatile functions like RAND or NOW in automated workflows.

Validate data before inserting it; empty cells or wrong data types can break formulas and pivot tables downstream.

Use named ranges instead of hardcoded cell references (like B5) to make your automation robust to future sheet changes.

Check for write conflicts and implement a locking mechanism (perhaps a "locked by" cell) for multi-user spreadsheets to prevent simultaneous agent updates.