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Word MCP Live

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The only MCP server that edits Word documents while they're open

GitHub source repository ↗

★ 195 Stars Category · Collaboration Popular Source revision c6c76179f66b

57FMRS · C

Reliability

10/20

Security and permissions

11/20

Maintenance

10/20

Documentation

13/20

Setup experience

13/20

Word MCP Live offers the most comprehensive Word editing capabilities, especially live editing and tracked changes. It suits scenarios where AI assists with document collaboration and formatting, but note that live features vary between Windows and macOS, and local installation is required.

Read the FMRS scoring method →

Word MCP Live is an MCP server that gives AI assistants (like Claude, Cursor) full control of Microsoft Word via MCP. It supports live editing (changes appear while Word is open), tracked changes, comments, per-action undo, and more. It offers 124 tools across two modes: cross-platform (python-docx) and live (Windows COM, macOS JXA). It allows AI to add tracked changes and comments in your name, and every AI edit is one Ctrl+Z away.

Tools

get_document_text

Reads the full text of a document with paragraph styles.

word_live_replace_text

Finds and replaces text in an open Word document, optionally tracked.

add_comment

Adds a comment anchored to specified text in the document.

Setup

Install Python 3.11+.
Run pip install word-mcp-live.
Add configuration to your client (e.g., Claude Desktop's claude_desktop_config.json) using the uvx command. Optionally set environment variables MCP_AUTHOR and MCP_AUTHOR_INITIALS.

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "word": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["word-mcp-live"],
      "env": {
        "MCP_AUTHOR": "Your Name",
        "MCP_AUTHOR_INITIALS": "YN"
      }
    }
  }
}

Generate and validate client config

Fit and risk

Best for

Interactive editing sessions where documents are open in Word (Windows/macOS).
Collaborative review where AI generates tracked changes and comments.
Cross-platform creation and editing of .docx files without needing Word installed.

Not for

Full cross-platform live features (some live tools are Windows-only, macOS has limitations).
Team collaboration requiring online sync (server runs entirely locally).
Non-technical users needing a GUI or no-code setup.

Required permissions

Access to the local file system to read and write .docx files.
Automation control of Microsoft Word via COM (Windows) or JXA (macOS).
Ability to modify document content, including tracked changes, comments, formatting, etc.

Risks and side effects

AI may accidentally modify wrong content; use tracked changes and undo to mitigate.
Live editing depends on Word automation, which may be affected by Word version or permissions.
Local-only operation ensures no data is collected, but document privacy is still a consideration.

Troubleshooting

Ensure Python 3.11+ and Word are installed (required for live tools).
For Windows, ensure pywin32 is installed; macOS uses built-in JXA with no extra dependencies.
If connection fails, check that `uvx` is available and the MCP config environment variables are set correctly.

Use cases

Ask AI to draft a contract with tracked changes for colleague review.

Real-time editing of open Word documents: formatting, comments, text replacement.

Batch process .docx files for report generation or content updates.

Supported clients

Claude DesktopFull support

Claude CodeFull support

CursorFull support

VS CodeFull support

WindsurfFull support

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