--- title: "Google Sheets MCP server for AI agents - actionlake" description: "Give Claude 87 Google Sheets actions through one MCP server: spreadsheets, sheets, values. Your agent never holds the credential. 100,000 calls a month free." canonical: https://actionlake.com/connectors/google-sheets updated: 2026-09-21 --- Connectors · Files & documents # Google Sheets MCP server for AI agents. actionlake is an MCP gateway: one remote MCP server that connects Claude and other MCP clients to Google Sheets and the rest of your systems. It gives your agent 87 Google Sheets actions (7 reads, 61 writes and 19 that wait for a confirmation) and holds the Google Sheets credential itself, so the agent never does. It paces Google Sheets's limits and records every call. Connecting Google Sheets needs your own Google Sheets OAuth app and one admin sign-in. [Connect Google Sheets free](https://actionlake.com/console?start=sandbox) [See pricing](https://actionlake.com/pricing) 100,000 free calls a month. No card, no email, no password: press Start a free sandbox on the next screen and keep the key it shows you. `claude mcp add --transport http actionlake https://connect.actionlake.com/mcp` the first call ``` do { action: "gws_sheets.spreadsheets.get", intent: "check which Google Sheets account is connected" } # Get a spreadsheet · read · 1 upstream call ``` - 87 actions in one signed file - 7 read look, never change - 61 write create and update - 19 wait for a yes destructive, confirmed first Set up ## Connect Google Sheets in three steps. 1. 01 ### Add actionlake to Claude. Run the command once in Claude Code; its consent page can create a free sandbox: 100,000 calls a month, no card. In the Claude app, add a custom connector with the URL below and paste your key on the consent page. Creating a new sandbox from the Claude app is not yet tested by us. `https://connect.actionlake.com/mcp` 2. 02 ### Connect Google Sheets. OAuth 2.0, authorization code with PKCE. You register your own OAuth app with Google Sheets, an admin signs in once, and you paste the app's client id and secret and the tokens from that sign-in; actionlake renews the access token from then on. actionlake stores what you paste write-only, sealed under your tenant's key. Before the first sign-in, Google Sheets needs an OAuth app of your own, registered in its developer portal. actionlake has no Google Sheets app to lend you. - `access_token` Access token from one sign-in with your own OAuth app - `refresh_token` Refresh token from the same sign-in; the access token is renewed from it - `client_id` Google OAuth client id - `client_secret` Google OAuth client secret ``` account { op: "connections.requirements", service: "gws_sheets" } # free: exactly what to paste, and what is found for you ``` 3. 03 ### Make the first call. Check before a write. Ask in plain words; Claude picks the action. Before anything changes, `check` validates the call and prices it, for free. ``` do { action: "gws_sheets.spreadsheets.get" } # get a spreadsheet · read · 1 upstream call check { action: "gws_sheets.spreadsheets.create", input: { … } } # free: inputs, permissions, cost and confirmations, nothing sent ``` Google Sheets at a glance **Sign-in** OAuth 2.0, authorization code with PKCE. You register your own OAuth app with Google Sheets, an admin signs in once, and you paste the app's client id and secret and the tokens from that sign-in; actionlake renews the access token from then on. **You provide** `access_token` `refresh_token` `client_id` `client_secret` **Limits we pace to** 60 calls a minute, per connection **API covered** Google Sheets API 4`sheets.googleapis.com/v4` **Built from** Google Sheets's documentation, read 17 September 2026[sheets.googleapis.com](https://sheets.googleapis.com/$discovery/rest?version=v4) [developers.google.com](https://developers.google.com/workspace/sheets/api/reference/rest) **Service file** Version 2.0.0, signed (Ed25519) **Cached reads** 7 of 7 reads, for up to an hour; a write clears what it affects **Ready-made plans** 8 in the store **Shared entities** 2, so ask can line Google Sheets up with your other systems **Data** Processed and stored in Sydney, Australia. No US region yet Capabilities ## What an AI agent can do in Google Sheets. 87 actions in 1 area. Every one carries its effect, so a key can allow the reads and hold the rest. - **7** read look, never change - **61** write create and update - **19** destructive wait for a confirmation 1. ### Spreadsheets 87 7 read · 61 write · 19 destructive Get a spreadsheet · Create a spreadsheet · Add a sheet · Batch-update a spreadsheet (raw requests) Top actions ## The Google Sheets API, shaped for agents. The ids your agent types, what each does, and the one name it shares with other systems. 33 of Google Sheets's 40 action names are shared with at least one other connector, so an agent learns them once. | Action | What it does | Effect | Same name in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.get` Get a spreadsheet | Read a spreadsheet's properties, its sheets and optionally its cell grid. | read | `content.spreadsheet.get` 5 connectors | | `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.create` Create a spreadsheet | Create a new spreadsheet, optionally with named sheets already in it. | write | `content.spreadsheet.create` 4 connectors | | `gws_sheets.sheets.add` Add a sheet | Add a new sheet (tab) to a spreadsheet. | write | `content.sheet.create` 2 connectors | | `gws_sheets.sheets.copy_to` Copy a sheet to another spreadsheet | Copy one sheet (tab) into a different spreadsheet. | write | this connector | | `gws_sheets.values.append` Append rows to a sheet | Add rows after the last row of the table that the given range falls in. | write | `content.cell_range.create` 3 connectors | | `gws_sheets.dimensions.append` Append rows or columns | Add empty rows or columns at the end of a sheet. | write | `content.cell_range.create` 3 connectors | | `gws_sheets.charts.add` Add a chart | Embed a chart in a spreadsheet. | write | `content.sheet_chart.create` 2 connectors | | `gws_sheets.conditional_formats.add` Add a conditional format rule | Add a rule that colours cells when a condition holds. | write | this connector | | `gws_sheets.charts.delete` Delete a chart or other embedded object | Remove an embedded chart, image or slicer by its object id. | destructive | `content.sheet_chart.delete` 2 connectors | | `gws_sheets.protected_ranges.delete` Remove a protected range | Unprotect a range by its protected-range id. | destructive | `content.file_permission.remove` 20 connectors | | `gws_sheets.protected_ranges.add` Protect a range | Stop anyone but named editors changing a range. | write | `content.file_permission.add` 19 connectors | | `gws_sheets.filters.set_basic` Set the basic filter | Apply a sheet's basic filter over a range, with optional sort and per-column criteria. | write | this connector | Try it ## Prompts to paste into Claude. Each one names the Google Sheets actions it will call, so you know what it reads and what it changes before you send it. 1. Read read Get a spreadsheet in Google Sheets and tell me what stands out. calls `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.get` 2. Plan write Create a tracker workbook with a header row and frozen top row in Google Sheets. calls `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.create` `gws_sheets.sheets.add` `gws_sheets.values.update` `gws_sheets.sheets.freeze` `gws_sheets.filters.set_basic` +1 more 3. Plan write Tidy a freshly imported range in Google Sheets. calls `gws_sheets.values.get` `gws_sheets.cells.trim_whitespace` `gws_sheets.cells.text_to_columns` `gws_sheets.cells.sort_range` `gws_sheets.dimensions.auto_resize` 4. Write write Create a spreadsheet in Google Sheets. Show me exactly what you will send before you save it. calls `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.create` The plan store ## Ready-made plans for Google Sheets. 8 plans in the store. Install one and your agent runs it by name; the reply says which connections are still missing. A schedule can run a plan on a timetable. There are no triggers or webhooks, by design. 1. ### Append a batch of rows after a human signs off Use it when A batch of rows should be added to an existing sheet but a person must approve the write before it happens. A person decides Append _row count_ rows to _range_ in spreadsheet _spreadsheet id_. **Effect** write **Steps** 4 **Needs** range, row count, rows and spreadsheet id **Install** `gws_sheets-append-rows-with-approval` 2. ### Highlight overdue rows and restrict the status column Use it when A tracker tab should visually flag overdue rows and only accept known status values. **Effect** write **Steps** 5 **Needs** due formula, end column, end row, range a1, sheet id, spreadsheet id, start column, start row, status column and statuses **Install** `gws_sheets-flag-overdue-with-formatting` 3. ### Refresh connected data sources and report the result Use it when A workbook backed by connected data sources needs refreshing and the caller wants the refreshed numbers, not a fire and forget refresh. **Effect** write **Steps** 5 **Needs** spreadsheet id and summary range **Install** `gws_sheets-refresh-data-sources-report` 4. ### Tidy a freshly imported range Use it when Data has just been pasted or imported into a tab and needs whitespace trimmed, splitting and sorting before anyone works with it. **Effect** write **Steps** 6 **Needs** end column, end row, range a1, sheet id, sort column, spreadsheet id, start column and start row **Install** `gws_sheets-clean-imported-range` 5. ### Snapshot a live tab into a dated archive tab Use it when A tab that keeps changing needs a frozen dated copy kept alongside it for the record. **Effect** write **Steps** 6 **Needs** sheet id, source range and spreadsheet id **Install** `gws_sheets-monthly-snapshot-tab` 6. ### Create a tracker workbook with a header row and frozen top row Use it when Someone wants a fresh Google Sheet set up as a tracker with headers, a frozen header row and filters already in place. **Effect** write **Steps** 6 **Needs** column count, headers, tab title and title **Install** `gws_sheets-new-tracker-workbook` 7. ### Clear several ranges once a human approves the deletion Use it when Cells in one or more ranges must be wiped and the deletion needs a captured copy and a human sign off first. A person decides Permanently clear the ranges _ranges_ in spreadsheet _spreadsheet id_. A copy has been read out first. **Effect** destructive **Steps** 4 **Needs** first range, ranges and spreadsheet id **Install** `gws_sheets-purge-range-after-approval` 8. ### Copy tabs to an archive workbook then delete them after sign off Use it when Old tabs are cluttering a workbook and should be archived elsewhere and then removed with a human sign off. A person decides Delete the tabs _tab names_ from spreadsheet _spreadsheet id_. Copies are already in archive workbook _archive spreadsheet id_. **Effect** destructive **Steps** 5 · loops **Needs** archive spreadsheet id, spreadsheet id, tab ids and tab names **Install** `gws_sheets-retire-stale-tabs` install a plan ``` account { op: "plans.install", slug: "gws_sheets-append-rows-with-approval" } # then ask for it by name; a schedule can run it on a timetable ``` Governance for Google Sheets ## Destructive actions wait for a yes. 19 Google Sheets actions are destructive. These are all of them: - Delete a sheet `gws_sheets.sheets.delete` - Clear a range of cells `gws_sheets.values.clear` - Delete a chart or other embedded object `gws_sheets.charts.delete` - Delete rows or columns `gws_sheets.dimensions.delete` - Remove a protected range `gws_sheets.protected_ranges.delete` - Clear the basic filter `gws_sheets.filters.clear_basic` - Delete a conditional format rule `gws_sheets.conditional_formats.delete` - Delete a data source `gws_sheets.data_sources.delete` - Delete a table `gws_sheets.tables.delete` - Delete cells in a range `gws_sheets.cells.delete_range` - Clear several ranges at once `gws_sheets.values.batch_clear` - Delete a named range `gws_sheets.named_ranges.delete` - Remove duplicate rows `gws_sheets.cells.delete_duplicates` - Ungroup rows or columns `gws_sheets.dimension_groups.delete` - Clear ranges selected by data filter `gws_sheets.values.batch_clear_by_data_filter` - Remove alternating colours `gws_sheets.bandings.delete` - Delete a filter view `gws_sheets.filter_views.delete` - Delete developer metadata `gws_sheets.developer_metadata.delete` - Cancel a data source refresh `gws_sheets.data_sources.cancel_refresh` A destructive action runs only with `confirm: true`. Under the `human` policy the agent cannot confirm for itself: the run stops until a named person approves, in the console or from a signed link in an email. The cap on a key is refused before the call is sent, never after. do gws_sheets.sheets.delete confirm_policy: **human** Delete a sheet? **intent:** the user asked me to delete a sheet run suspended · waiting for a named person · key _gws-sheets-agent_ cannot confirm itself In the console, or from an emailed signed link. a key for this connector ``` account { op: "keys.create", name: "gws-sheets-agent", allowed_actions: ["gws_sheets.*"], cap_calls: 2000, confirm_policy: "human_for_writes", approval_rules: [ { match: "gws_sheets.sheets.delete", approver: "lead@example.com" }, { match: "gws_sheets.values.clear", approver: "lead@example.com" }, { match: "gws_sheets.charts.delete", approver: "lead@example.com" } ] } ``` Illustrative. Scoped to Google Sheets only, capped at 2,000 upstream calls, every write confirmed, and the destructive ones approved by a named person. Cost ## What Google Sheets costs on actionlake. Every Google Sheets action is one upstream call, the only thing actionlake bills. Searching, `check`, `cost`, `account` and any call Google Sheets refused with 401, 403, 429 or a 5xx are free. Paid plans start at US$49 a month for 250,000 calls, with overage from US$0.30 down to US$0.18 per 1,000. - 1 upstream call per action all 87 Google Sheets actions - 87 actions page each page of a long list is one call - 7 reads can be cached a cache hit costs nothing - 100,000 calls a month, free paid plans from US$49 a month for 250,000 [See pricing](https://actionlake.com/pricing) Action index ## Every Google Sheets action. 87 actions by area: the id your agent calls, what it does, and its effect. **Spreadsheets 87** - `gws_sheets.bandings.add` Add alternating colours to a range write - `gws_sheets.bandings.delete` Remove alternating colours destructive - `gws_sheets.bandings.update` Update alternating colours write - `gws_sheets.cells.append` Append formatted rows to a sheet write - `gws_sheets.cells.auto_fill` Auto-fill a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.copy_paste` Copy and paste a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.cut_paste` Cut and paste a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.delete_duplicates` Remove duplicate rows destructive - `gws_sheets.cells.delete_range` Delete cells in a range destructive - `gws_sheets.cells.find_replace` Find and replace write - `gws_sheets.cells.insert_range` Insert cells into a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.merge` Merge cells write - `gws_sheets.cells.paste_data` Paste delimited or HTML data write - `gws_sheets.cells.randomize` Shuffle the rows of a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.repeat_format` Apply one cell format across a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.sort_range` Sort a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.text_to_columns` Split text into columns write - `gws_sheets.cells.trim_whitespace` Trim whitespace in a range write - `gws_sheets.cells.unmerge` Unmerge cells write - `gws_sheets.cells.update` Write cell data with formatting write - `gws_sheets.cells.update_borders` Set the borders of a range write - `gws_sheets.charts.add` Add a chart write - `gws_sheets.charts.delete` Delete a chart or other embedded object destructive - `gws_sheets.charts.move` Move or resize an embedded object write - `gws_sheets.charts.update_border` Set an embedded object's border write - `gws_sheets.charts.update_spec` Update a chart's specification write - `gws_sheets.conditional_formats.add` Add a conditional format rule write - `gws_sheets.conditional_formats.delete` Delete a conditional format rule destructive - `gws_sheets.conditional_formats.update` Update a conditional format rule write - `gws_sheets.data_sources.add` Add a data source write - `gws_sheets.data_sources.cancel_refresh` Cancel a data source refresh destructive - `gws_sheets.data_sources.delete` Delete a data source destructive - `gws_sheets.data_sources.refresh` Refresh a data source write - `gws_sheets.data_sources.update` Update a data source write - `gws_sheets.data_validation.set` Set data validation on a range write - `gws_sheets.developer_metadata.create` Create developer metadata write - `gws_sheets.developer_metadata.delete` Delete developer metadata destructive - `gws_sheets.developer_metadata.get` Get developer metadata read - `gws_sheets.developer_metadata.search` Search developer metadata read - `gws_sheets.developer_metadata.update` Update developer metadata write - `gws_sheets.dimension_groups.add` Group rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.dimension_groups.delete` Ungroup rows or columns destructive - `gws_sheets.dimension_groups.update` Collapse or expand a group write - `gws_sheets.dimensions.append` Append rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.dimensions.auto_resize` Auto-resize rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.dimensions.delete` Delete rows or columns destructive - `gws_sheets.dimensions.insert` Insert rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.dimensions.move` Move rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.dimensions.update_properties` Resize or hide rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.filter_views.add` Add a filter view write - `gws_sheets.filter_views.delete` Delete a filter view destructive - `gws_sheets.filter_views.duplicate` Duplicate a filter view write - `gws_sheets.filter_views.update` Update a filter view write - `gws_sheets.filters.clear_basic` Clear the basic filter destructive - `gws_sheets.filters.set_basic` Set the basic filter write - `gws_sheets.named_ranges.add` Add a named range write - `gws_sheets.named_ranges.delete` Delete a named range destructive - `gws_sheets.named_ranges.update` Update a named range write - `gws_sheets.protected_ranges.add` Protect a range write - `gws_sheets.protected_ranges.delete` Remove a protected range destructive - `gws_sheets.protected_ranges.update` Update a protected range write - `gws_sheets.sheets.add` Add a sheet write - `gws_sheets.sheets.copy_to` Copy a sheet to another spreadsheet write - `gws_sheets.sheets.delete` Delete a sheet destructive - `gws_sheets.sheets.duplicate` Duplicate a sheet write - `gws_sheets.sheets.freeze` Freeze rows or columns write - `gws_sheets.sheets.update_properties` Update sheet properties write - `gws_sheets.slicers.add` Add a slicer write - `gws_sheets.slicers.update_spec` Update a slicer's specification write - `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.batch_update` Batch-update a spreadsheet (raw requests) write - `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.create` Create a spreadsheet write - `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.get` Get a spreadsheet read - `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.get_by_data_filter` Get a spreadsheet by data filter read - `gws_sheets.spreadsheets.update_properties` Update spreadsheet properties write - `gws_sheets.tables.add` Add a table write - `gws_sheets.tables.delete` Delete a table destructive - `gws_sheets.tables.update` Update a table write - `gws_sheets.values.append` Append rows to a sheet write - `gws_sheets.values.batch_clear` Clear several ranges at once destructive - `gws_sheets.values.batch_clear_by_data_filter` Clear ranges selected by data filter destructive - `gws_sheets.values.batch_get` Read several ranges at once read - `gws_sheets.values.batch_get_by_data_filter` Read ranges selected by data filter read - `gws_sheets.values.batch_update` Write several ranges at once write - `gws_sheets.values.batch_update_by_data_filter` Write ranges selected by data filter write - `gws_sheets.values.clear` Clear a range of cells destructive - `gws_sheets.values.get` Read a range of cells read - `gws_sheets.values.update` Write a range of cells write Questions ## The Google Sheets MCP server, answered. **Is there a Google Sheets MCP server for Claude?** Yes. actionlake is an MCP gateway: a remote MCP server that gives Claude, or another MCP client, 87 Google Sheets actions, through the same eight tools it uses for every other connector. actionlake is independent; it is not made or endorsed by Google Sheets. **What do I need to connect Google Sheets?** Your own Google Sheets OAuth app, registered with Google Sheets (its client id and client secret), and the access and refresh tokens from one admin sign-in. actionlake has no Google Sheets app of its own, so this is not a one-step consent. actionlake renews the access token as it expires. The free call account { op: "connections.requirements", service: "gws_sheets" } lists exactly what to paste. **Can an AI agent delete or change things in Google Sheets?** Only if its key allows it, and only with an explicit confirmation. 19 Google Sheets actions are destructive, including delete a sheet, clear a range of cells and delete a chart or other embedded object. Each runs only with confirm: true. Under the human confirm policy, or an approval rule on the key, the run waits until a named person approves it. **Will an AI agent use up my Google Sheets API limit?** actionlake paces every call to the limits in the Google Sheets service file: 60 calls a minute per connection. Repeated reads are answered from cache (7 Google Sheets actions can be), which never reaches Google Sheets. **What does a Google Sheets action cost?** One upstream call, the only unit actionlake bills. A list that pages bills one call per page (87 Google Sheets actions page). Cache hits, searches, dry runs and calls Google Sheets refused with 401, 403, 429 or a 5xx are free. The Free plan includes 100,000 calls a month with no card. Paid plans start at US$49 a month for 250,000 calls, with overage from US$0.30 down to US$0.18 per 1,000. **Which Google Sheets API does it cover?** The Google Sheets API 4 at sheets.googleapis.com/v4. It is built from Google Sheets's documentation as read on 17 September 2026. 87 actions in 1 area, each one in the signed service file (version 2.0.0). **Does actionlake keep my Google Sheets data, and where?** actionlake processes and stores data in Sydney, Australia; there is no US region yet. Reads may be cached for up to an hour, and a write clears the reads it affects. Each run's request and response is kept, sealed, for your plan's trace window: 1 day on Free, 3 days on Starter, 7 days on Pro, 14 days on Team, 30 days on Business and 30 days on Enterprise. Your Google Sheets credential is sealed under your tenant's key, never logged and never returned. Your traffic is not used to train models. **Which AI clients can use it?** Claude Code, tested by us end to end, and the Claude app as a custom connector, tested by us with an existing key. Other MCP clients that support remote servers over Streamable HTTP (MCP revisions 2025-06-18 and 2025-11-25) and OAuth dynamic client registration, or a bearer header, should connect the same way; we have not tested them. Or plain REST, under the same action names. ## More connectors like Google Sheets Shares the most action names with - [Microsoft Excel 17](https://actionlake.com/connectors/microsoft-excel) - [Confluence 8](https://actionlake.com/connectors/confluence) - [Box 8](https://actionlake.com/connectors/box) - [Dropbox 6](https://actionlake.com/connectors/dropbox) - [Keboola 3](https://actionlake.com/connectors/keboola) - [Zoho WorkDrive 3](https://actionlake.com/connectors/zoho-workdrive) Joins with, on shared entities - [Smartsheet 1](https://actionlake.com/connectors/smartsheet) Browse - [All Files & documents connectors](https://actionlake.com/connectors/category/files-and-documents) - [All connectors](https://actionlake.com/connectors) - [How actionlake compares](https://actionlake.com/compare) actionlake is independent. It is not made or endorsed by Google Sheets; the name is the vendor's own. Counts are from the Google Sheets service file, version 2.0.0. ## Give your agent Google Sheets today. [Connect Google Sheets free](https://actionlake.com/console?start=sandbox) [See pricing](https://actionlake.com/pricing) Start free - 100,000 calls/month, no card. No signup. Hard caps on every key. Cached answers are free. --- Source: https://actionlake.com/connectors/google-sheets More: https://actionlake.com/llms.txt