Screenshots & Visual Verification¶

REQUIRED: Screenshot After Chart Creation¶

You MUST call screenshot after creating any chart when visual output is requested or implied. Do not close the file or end your response without capturing a screenshot.

1. chart(create-from-range, ...)  → Chart created
2. screenshot(capture, rangeAddress='A1:M20')  ← REQUIRED — never skip this step
3. file(close, save=true)

This rule applies even if: - The chart was created on the first try - No errors occurred - The task description doesn't explicitly say "take a screenshot"

Tools¶

• screenshot: Capture worksheet content as PNG images

Actions¶

capture-sheet is cell-driven: it captures Excel's used range. On a chart-only worksheet, or when a chart extends beyond the used cells, use capture with an explicit range that covers the chart (for example, A1:M25).

Quality Parameter¶

Default is Medium — use this for most cases. Only use High when fine text or formulas need careful inspection.

When to Use Screenshots¶

After Chart Creation or Positioning¶

1. chart(create-from-range, ..., targetRange='F2:K15')
2. screenshot(capture, rangeAddress='A1:O25')  → Verify chart doesn't overlap data

After Complex Formatting¶

1. range(set-number-format, ...)
2. conditionalformat(add-rule, ...)
3. screenshot(capture-sheet)  → Verify formatting looks correct

After PivotTable Layout Changes¶

1. pivottable(add-row-field, ...)
2. pivottable(add-value-field, ...)
3. screenshot(capture, rangeAddress='A1:M25')  → Include charts and verify layout

Best Practices¶

1. Verify chart placement: After creating or repositioning charts, capture a screenshot to confirm no overlap with data or other charts
2. Capture relevant area: Use capture with a specific range rather than capture-sheet when you only need part of the worksheet
3. Use after multi-step operations: Screenshots are most valuable after a sequence of formatting, layout, or chart operations
4. MCP returns image directly: The image is returned as native ImageContent — no file handling needed
5. Chart-only sheets need an explicit range: capture-sheet uses the used cell range and may omit charts when no cells are used
6. CLI with --output: Use excelcli screenshot capture --sheet <name> --range A1:M25 --output screenshot.png to save the image directly
7. Apply formatting once: Apply each formatting operation (bold, fill color, number format) to a given range only once. Do not reapply unless a subsequent step explicitly changes or clears it — redundant calls waste turns and cost.

Common Patterns¶

Chart Overlap Verification¶

1. range(get-used-range) → "A1:D20"
2. chart(create-from-range, sourceRange='A1:D20', targetRange='F2:K15')
3. screenshot(capture, rangeAddress='A1:K20')
   → Visually confirm chart is positioned next to data, not on top of it

Multi-Chart Dashboard Layout¶

When creating dashboards with multiple charts:

1. get-used-range → Know where data ends
2. Create Chart 1 with targetRange below/beside data
3. Create Chart 2 with targetRange that does NOT overlap Chart 1
4. Create Chart 3, Chart 4, etc. — each in a non-overlapping targetRange
5. screenshot(capture, rangeAddress='A1:M40') → Verify NO charts overlap each other or data

Key rules for multi-chart layouts:
- Use targetRange for every chart — never rely on default positioning
- Leave at least 1-2 rows/columns between charts
- Place charts in a grid pattern (e.g., 2x2) below the data area
- If overlap detected, use chart(fit-to-range) to reposition

Dashboard Layout Check¶

1. Create multiple charts and tables
2. screenshot(capture, rangeAddress='A1:M40')
   → Verify overall dashboard layout, spacing, and alignment
3. If issues found: reposition with chart(fit-to-range), then screenshot again