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Help & Documentation

Everything you need to get started with SheetsData and troubleshoot common issues.

Getting Started

  1. Create an account at sheetsdata.com/signup
  2. Configure your MCP client — follow the step-by-step instructions on the setup page. OAuth is the recommended path — click Connect in your client and a browser tab will open to authorize. No keys to copy.
  3. Or use an API key for CI, scripts, or clients without MCP OAuth support — generate one in the dashboard and paste it as a Bearer header.
  4. Make your first call — use search_parts to find components by keyword or part number

Tools Overview

SheetsData exposes MCP tools that your AI agent calls automatically. Here's what each one does.

Free tools

search_partsFree

Search for electronic components across multiple distributors (JLCPCB, Mouser, DigiKey). Returns pricing, stock, and datasheet availability.

check_extraction_statusFree

Poll extraction progress after a prefetch or read_datasheet call to see when a datasheet is ready.

Paid tools

prefetch_datasheets1¢

Batch warm-up extraction for up to 20 parts. Fire-and-forget — the agent can continue working while datasheets are extracted in the background.

search_datasheets2¢

Semantic search across all extracted datasheets. Great for spec-based discovery, e.g. "low-noise LDO with PSRR above 70dB".

get_part_details3¢

Detailed part info including parameters, datasheet status, and an optional prefetch trigger.

find_alternative6¢

Find drop-in or functional alternatives for a given part number.

compare_parts8¢

Side-by-side comparison of two or more parts with key specs and datasheet status.

read_datasheet10¢

Read specific sections from an extracted datasheet, or run a semantic search within it.

analyze_image10¢

Vision AI analysis of datasheet images — graphs, package drawings, pin diagrams, and schematics.

check_design_fit12¢

Validate your operating conditions (voltage, current, temperature) against datasheet limits.

See full pricing details on the pricing page.

Tool Examples

Your AI agent calls these tools automatically. Here's what a typical interaction looks like.

Search for a voltage regulator

Tool call

search_parts({ "query": "3.3V LDO low noise", "limit": 5 })

Response

Found 5 results:
  TPS7A20 — TI — $0.45 — In stock
  AP2112K-3.3 — Diodes Inc — $0.12 — In stock
  ...
Read the pinout from a datasheet

Tool call

read_datasheet({ "part_number": "STM32F446RET6", "section": "pinout" })

Response

Pin 1 (VBAT): Battery power supply
Pin 2 (PC13): GPIO / RTC output
Pin 3 (PC14): GPIO / OSC32_IN
...
Check if a part fits your design

Tool call

check_design_fit({ "part_number": "TPS54302", "constraints": "Vin=12V, Vout=3.3V, Iout=2A, Tamb=85C" })

Response

PASS — All conditions within datasheet limits.
  Vin: 12V (limit 4.5-28V) ✓
  Iout: 2A (limit 3A) ✓
  Tamb: 85°C (limit 125°C) ✓

Extraction Pipeline

When you query a part for the first time, SheetsData automatically locates, downloads, and extracts the datasheet. Here's what happens behind the scenes.

1

Locate datasheet

Search distributor APIs (Mouser, DigiKey, JLCPCB) and web sources for the PDF URL.

2

Download & deduplicate

Download the PDF and compute its SHA256 hash. If we've already extracted this exact file, reuse the existing extraction.

3

OCR & page extraction

Run Marker PDF on GPU to convert every page to structured markdown. Correct OCR errors in tables using vision AI.

4

AI structuring

Extract key specs, pinouts, electrical characteristics, and thermal data using Claude Haiku and Gemini Flash.

5

Generate embeddings

Split extracted content into chunks and generate vector embeddings for semantic search across datasheets.

6

Cache & serve

Cache all extracted data. Subsequent queries for the same part are instant.

First extraction typically takes 10-20 seconds. Subsequent queries are cached and instant.

Private Part Library

Pro and Enterprise plans include a private part library. Upload proprietary datasheets that are only accessible to your organization.

  1. Navigate to Dashboard → Part Library
  2. Click Upload Datasheet and drop your PDF files
  3. The system automatically detects the MPN, manufacturer, and key specs
  4. Once extraction completes, your AI agent can query these parts just like public ones

Upload fee: 50¢ per file. Storage: 5¢ per part/month. Both count toward your Pro plan minimum.

Rate Limits

PlanRequests/minRequests/dayExtractions/day
Trial105005
Pro6010,000Unlimited
EnterpriseCustomCustomUnlimited

Need higher limits? Contact us.

Troubleshooting

“Insufficient balance”
Your prepaid balance is too low for the requested tool call. Top up your account at Dashboard → Billing. Free tools (search_parts, check_extraction_status) always work, even with zero balance.
“Rate limit exceeded”
You've hit your plan's request-per-minute limit. Wait a moment and retry, or contact support to discuss higher limits.
“Extraction failed”
The PDF extraction for a datasheet did not complete successfully. You can retry from Dashboard → Extractions. Common causes: corrupted PDF, password-protected file, or a scanned document with poor OCR quality.
“No datasheet found”
Not all parts have datasheets available online. Try searching for the base part number (e.g. "STM32F446" instead of "STM32F446RCT6"), or check if an alternative part number is listed by the manufacturer.
MCP connection issues
If you connected via OAuth, try disconnecting and reconnecting in your MCP client — the authorization may have been revoked. You can review and revoke connected apps from Dashboard → API Keys. If you're using an API key, verify it's correct and active on the same page. Either way, check that your MCP client config matches the format shown on the setup page and restart your AI agent after changing the config.
Extraction is slow
First-time extractions take 10-20 seconds as the PDF is downloaded and processed. Subsequent queries for the same part are instant. Use prefetch_datasheets to warm up multiple parts in the background while your agent works on other tasks.
Balance not updating
Balance changes are reflected immediately after each API call. If you just made a top-up payment, allow a few seconds for the payment processor to confirm. Refresh the billing page to see the latest balance.

Billing & Plans

SheetsData uses a prepaid balance model — add funds and each tool call deducts from your balance.

  • Trial — when signup credits are enabled, they're applied after you add a payment method. 10 requests per minute. 5 new datasheet extractions per day. Free tools always work, even with zero balance.
  • Pro ($39/mo) — Monthly minimum includes $39 in usage. Overage billed at per-call rates. 60 requests per minute. Auto-recharge available.
  • Enterprise — Custom pricing, SSO, audit log, priority extraction, and volume discounts. Contact us.

Top up anytime from Dashboard → Billing.

API Keys

  • Create and manage keys from Dashboard → API Keys.
  • Keys are shown only once at creation — copy and store them securely.
  • Revoke any keys you no longer need to keep your account secure.
  • Never share API keys, commit them to public repositories, or embed them in client-side code.

Contact & Support

SheetsData is built by Octoco, a South African engineering consultancy.

Help & Documentation | SheetsData