Smartsheet

You can connect AI-driven tools to Smartsheet through a dedicated MCP Server that exposes a standardized API for sheet and column operations, analytics, and cross-sheet workflows. This server lets you automate data management, validation, and reporting on Smartsheet data while preserving formulas, dependencies, and access controls.

How to use

You integrate an MCP client with the Smartsheet MCP Server by configuring a local or remote connection and then invoking the available tools to read, write, update, search, and analyze Smartsheet data. Start by choosing the transport that fits your environment: STDIO for local development and CLI usage, or HTTP for web-based clients and network access. Use the HTTP path if you need to access the MCP server from another service or a frontend application.

Key operations you will perform include reading column mappings, creating or updating rows with awareness of system columns and formulas, adding or renaming columns with dependency checks, and performing advanced searches across sheets. You can also manage workspaces and sheets programmatically, attach and retrieve resources, and run batch analyses for healthcare data using specialized analytics capabilities.

How to install

Prerequisites: Node.js, npm, Python, and access to the Smartsheet API. You also need Azure OpenAI access if you plan to run batch analyses.

Step 1. Install dependencies for Node and Python ecosystems.

Step 2. Build the MCP server.

Step 3. Run the server in STDIO or HTTP mode as described in the configuration section.

Configuration and usage notes

Two transport modes are supported. STDIO is the default and is suitable for local development and CLI workflows. HTTP exposes an API endpoint for network clients.

Environment variables you typically provide include your Smartsheet API key and Azure OpenAI credentials for batch analysis features.

Health checks are available for HTTP transport via a /health endpoint to verify server readiness.

Security and environment variables

Protect your API credentials. Keep SMARTSHEET_API_KEY and Azure OpenAI credentials confidential and do not commit them to source control. Use environment-specific configuration and rotate keys as needed.

Troubleshooting tips

If the server fails to start, verify that the correct environment is activated and that the required dependencies are installed. Check error messages for missing environment variables or invalid configurations. For HTTP, ensure the port is not blocked and the health endpoint responds with status ok.

Available tools

get_column_map

Read column mapping and metadata from a Smartsheet, including column types, validation, format specifications, and sample data.

get_sheet_info

Alias for get_column_map with identical functionality for backward compatibility.

smartsheet_write

Create new rows in a sheet with intelligent handling of system columns, multi-select values, and formulas; automatically appends rows to the bottom and returns operation results.

smartsheet_update

Update existing rows with partial updates while validating data integrity and handling multi-select fields.

smartsheet_delete

Delete rows with batch support and validation of permissions and existence.

smartsheet_search

Perform advanced, type-aware searches across sheets with multiple modes and column filters; return matched row IDs and match details.

smartsheet_add_column

Add new columns with full type support and validation, including position, validation rules, formulas, and options.

smartsheet_delete_column

Delete columns with dependency checks and optional force deletion, validating formula references.

smartsheet_rename_column

Rename columns while preserving relationships and updating formula references automatically.

smartsheet_bulk_update

Perform conditional bulk updates with complex rule evaluation and rollback support.

get_all_row_ids

Retrieve all row IDs from a sheet for batch processing.

start_batch_analysis

Process sheets or selected rows with AI analysis for clinical notes, sentiment, scoring, and other healthcare analytics.

get_job_status

Track batch analysis job progress with detailed statistics.

cancel_batch_analysis

Cancel running batch analysis jobs gracefully.

list_workspaces

List accessible workspaces with IDs, names, and permissions.

get_workspace

Retrieve detailed workspace contents and permission details.

create_workspace

Create a new workspace and return its ID.

create_sheet_in_workspace

Create a new sheet within a specified workspace with defined columns.

list_workspace_sheets

List all sheets in a workspace with IDs, names, and permalinks.

smartsheet_upload_attachment

Upload attachments to sheets, rows, or comments.

smartsheet_get_attachments

List attachments for a sheet or row with metadata.

smartsheet_download_attachment

Download specific attachments to local storage.

smartsheet_delete_attachment

Delete attachments with permission checks.

smartsheet_create_discussion

Create discussions on sheets or rows with initial comments.

smartsheet_add_comment

Add comments to discussions and maintain thread structure.

smartsheet_get_discussions

List discussions for sheets or rows with optional full comment history.

smartsheet_get_comments

Get all comments in a discussion thread with attachments if present.

smartsheet_delete_comment

Delete specific comments with permission validation.

smartsheet_get_cell_history

Obtain cell modification history with attribution and timestamps.

smartsheet_get_row_history

Obtain full row change history with optional column filtering.

smartsheet_get_sheet_cross_references

Analyze cross-sheet references within a sheet and dependency patterns.

smartsheet_find_sheet_references

Find sheets that reference a target sheet and map dependencies.

smartsheet_validate_cross_references

Validate cross-sheet references and suggest repairs for broken links.

smartsheet_create_cross_reference

Programmatically create cross-sheet reference formulas like INDEX_MATCH, VLOOKUP, SUMIF, COUNTIF.