Microsoft 365: Power Platform Copilot

Software development is an ever-emerging field, dynamically changing as technology continues to advance. Throughout the years, Microsoft has been delivering low-code, no-code platforms through its Power Platforms, including Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents. With low-code, no-code power platforms, there has been increased collaboration between tech experts and end‑users, which has driven down the costs associated with citizen development and accelerated the timelines for development. Microsoft’s next step, Microsoft Power Platform Copilot, combines AI and large language models (LLM) to produce an intelligent next-generation low-code, no-code solution, making it easier to build apps.

In a user’s natural language, a user can speak to the Power Platform Copilot, describe what the purpose of the app is, how they want it to work, and then ask to create it. Power Platform Copilot will then generate the code that will run the app that the user has requested. This is the next generation for code abstraction. Humans and machines are working together to create applications for end users.

How it Works

Using natural language queries and refinements, users interact with applications intuitively. With Power Platform Copilot, AI technology not only answers the query but will also pose questions to refine the query, drilling down to details that are relevant to the user.

Simply, Power Platform Copilot allows both end-users and developers to use a combination of natural language and AI to accelerate the development of apps and incorporate AI into existing apps for enhanced data analysis. Utilizing Power Platform Copilot, users can create apps, modify apps, explore data, navigate apps, work with data, and enhance the overall functionality of the app.

What Microsoft Power Platform Copilot Can Do

Power Apps

Write Formulas: users can use natural language or provide examples of what they want the formula to do. Copilot will then generate the code and formula.

Build and Edit Apps in Power Studio: this app is widely used to help build apps, particularly for UI design and formula creation. Makers can use natural language with Copilot to build and modify apps, add screens, add controls, execute tasks, link to data, and modify properties. Prompts like the ones below can be initiated by the maker:

  1. Add a button to the header
  2. Change the alignment of the container, such as aligning it to the centre
  3. Change all labels to a specific font size, such as font 16
  4. Make the label bold
  5. Connect Gallery to the maker’s Account table

Virtual Consultant Across Power Apps: there is a learning curve for makers who are new to Power Apps. To assist them in learning the concepts of Power Apps and Power Platform, the Copilot Q&A will be the new virtual consultant for the new maker. The Q&A Copilot will help guide new makers through processes while providing step‑by‑step explanations and relevant information and documentation from Microsoft and its training sites.

Power Pages Copilot

Leveraging Power Pages Copilot and natural language, makers will be able to:

Create a Website: with natural language, makers can describe the website they are trying to build from the home page. Using generative AI, Power Pages Copilot will then determine the site map, generate various home page layouts, and suggest site themes. After assembling, makers will be able to continue to use Copilot to modify and refine their website in Studio.

Enable Copilot for Authenticated Users: by enabling a Power Virtual Agent on the website, logged-in users will have the ability to ask questions in natural language and receive authenticated content responses that are derived from knowledge articles or dataverse tables that are configured for this purpose. Private websites can also have AI-enabled chatbots added.

Get Answers to Questions: using Copilot Q&A, Power Pages Copilot empowers makers to get tips and answers on how to build a site. These answers and tips are summarized from a collection of knowledge content existing in Learn, key resources, and the community that provide the maker easy to easy-to-follow instructions and responses.

Get Answers from Website Data: the Copilot chatbot can be configured to allow website users to use natural language to obtain information and insights through a structured data search of tables while adhering to configured permissions and roles. An example would be a website user asking for the status of their repair. Copilot will then search through the tables, locate the answer, and provide the status plus a link to the open case if it has not been closed.

Enable Website Actions for Users: when enabled by the maker, site users will be able to receive and take assistance from Power Pages Copilot (currently a Power Virtual Agents chatbot) to complete website actions such as filling simple forms, finding and being redirected to resources.

Power Automate Copilot  

Sitting inside the flow studio, AI-based Copilot in Power Automate assists with every flow that is being built or modified. Creators can do more than describe the flow and have Copilot in Power Automate create it.  Creators can ask Copilot to improve and iterate on their flows through AI-driven conversations. With Copilot in Power Automate, process mining capabilities, desktop flows, and cloud flow support will be supported.

Power Automate Cloud Flows Designer: Using natural language, creators can build new cloud flows by describing the cloud flow that is needed. Power Autmate will create it based on the written description of the scenario to automate. Truly a no-code experience, a broader population of business users will be able to build different types of automation faster. With additional supported actions, creators will have an easier user experience. The additional enhancements include:

  1. Connectors and Actions: understanding natural language, Power Automate will build flows that include approvals, Power Apps, and Dataverse.
  2. Automatic Flow Parameter Filling: individual actions and the parameters in the action cards are included with flows created with natural language.
  3. Explainability: understand how a user’s flow description translates to the different flow actions with the suggestion of improvements.
  4. Geo-availability: this will be released into specific Microsoft Azuer geographic areas.

Create Desktop Flows: this is the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solution with Power Automate and provides automation for Windows desktop applications, services, experiences, and coordination and deployment within Power Platform. Easily accessible, Power Automate Copilot resides in both the console and the designer.

  1. Create Desktop Flows: using natural language, makers can create desktop flows while eliminating the need for pseudocode knowledge and algorithms.
  2. Reduce Need for Complex Coding: using natural language, makers can create loops and add conditionals as needed. Power Automate Copilot will not only write the loop and conditions, but it will ensure the process is streamlined.

Modify Desktop Flows: using natural language, users can modify flows easily and without needing to learn specific syntax or navigate complex menus. Users can remove, add, or modify the properties of one or more actions using natural language commands within the designer experience.

Power Virtual Agents

In the beginning, Power Virtual Agents were at the forefront of how AI could be leveraged to produce appropriate and eloquent responses to bot users’ questions and issues. The generative answers capability in Power Virtual Agents is the next step where existing internal and external sources can be specified as sources that the bot can use to answer a bot’s users’ questions. This is huge as bot makers will no longer need to manually create topics and every possible eventuality. Instead, Power Virtual Agents combine generative AI and technology to produce responses that are fully conversational with bot users’ queries.

Use Internal SharePoint Content as a Source: generative AI-created answers can be pointed towards internal SharePoint content as one of the sources of information. Once connected to the bot as an internal content source, the bot can retrieve from the specified SharePoint site, directory, or library the following:

  • Word documents
  • PowerPoint presentations
  • PDF files
  • Web page content hosted on the SharePoint site, including Wikis.

Answers generated by the bot are restricted by what content the user has access to and is enforced with Azure Active Directory authentication.

The benefits of using an internal SharePoint source for generative responses include:

  1. Bot users: answers are directly from the organization’s knowledge base
  2. Bot makers: reduce time to create and update bots
  3. System and bot admins: prevent and reduce data loss while addressing exfiltration concerns
  4. Support centre and Helpdesk: deflection rates are improved

Combining LLMs, natural language, AI, and technology, Microsoft Power Platform Copilot not only brings empowerment to users through low code and no code development, but also opens a whole new channel of communication between tech experts, users, virtual agents, and organizations through flows, websites, virtual agents, and more. The convergence of AI and technology is changing how we work, react, and interact with each other and once again, Microsoft is at the forefront of developing and bringing this exciting future to our daily lives at home, school, and businesses.

Microsoft 365: Microsoft Copilot – Your Everyday AI Companion

Microsoft has been building and leveraging AI-powered copilots in many of their most loved and used applications ranging from redefining search with Bing and Edge to efficient coding in GitHub to transforming work productivity spanning across Microsoft 365 and its applications, and beyond. As AI and large language models (LLM) converge, and technology can now deliver, users can ask questions in their natural language, and the convergence of AI, LLM, and smart technology can provide an answer, take action, and create it. This convergence of AI, LLM, and smart technology is Microsoft Copilot, a generative AI companion that will revolutionize work, daily tasks, and thinking processes.

Microsoft Copilot isn’t a singular application but spans Microsoft 365 in layers across its applications, unifying data, concepts, and processes. It is a seamless experience across Microsoft 365, Windows 11, Edge, and Bing with its icon living on your taskbar or easily called up with the Win+C keyboard shortcut. Copilot will be an AI companion in Outlook, Windows, Bing, Chat, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Paint, and many other apps to spark creativity, increase productivity, and meet the everyday needs of users whether they are part of a business or in their daily lives.

Source: Microsoft.com

Microsoft Copilot in Apps

Copilot in Windows: lessen the cognitive load and make complicated tasks simpler. Complete tasks with ease while firing up your creativity.

Paint: with Cocreator, generative AI enhances drawing and digital creations with the addition of layers and background removal tools.

Photos: photos can easily be edited. With a single click, highlight your subject. Copilot and AI automatically determine the background. Next, with Background Blur, blur the background and by doing so, your subject stands out. Photos stored in OneDrive, either business or personal, can easily be found as photo searching can be based on the content of the photo as well as location.

Snipping Tool: users can capture their content from their screen in various ways. They can create videos and content from their screen, including capturing sound with audio and mic. Users extract specific text content from an image, which in turn can be pasted to another application. On the post-capture screen, sensitive information can be protected by using text actions such as text redaction.

Clipchamp: auto-compose will automatically suggest edits, narratives, and scenes based on images and footage. Users will be able to create and edit videos to share with their teams, family, and friends, and on social media.

Notepad: automatic session saving which allows you to close the app without losing their dialogue. Upon opening, users will resume where they left off. Additionally, previously open tabs will be restored along with unsaved content and edits across those open tabs.

With the New Outlook for Windows: who doesn’t have more than one email address? Get organized by connecting and coordinating your various email accounts. Writing, replying, and attaching attachments is a breeze with intelligent tools that will help you write concise and clear communications while attaching documents and photos from OneDrive seamlessly.

Modernized File Explorer: easily access important and relevant content with a modernized home, address bar, and search box, and with photos, a new Gallery option will help find photos easily. Keep up to date with file activity and, without opening files, collaborate with ease.

New Text Authoring Experiences to Voice Access and New Natural Voices in Narrator:  a continuing and ongoing commitment to developing the most accessible version of Windows.

Windows Backup: a seamless and simple process of transitioning from a current PC to a new Windows 11 PC that leaves everything exactly the way it was left before the transition.

Microsoft Copilot in Bing and Edge

Bing Chat is now available with Microsoft Edge and some features include or will soon include:

Personalized Answers: intelligent suggestions that are relevant to you that are based on your search history. If the preference is not to access chat history to provide responses, then there is an option to turn this off.

Copilot in Microsoft Shopping: quickly find what you are shopping for from Bing or Edge and with Copilot, you will be offered the best price.  Coming soon, online shopping can start with a photo or image rather than a written description.

DALL.E 3Model from OpenAI in Bing Image Creator: with a better understanding of what you are asking for, DALL.E 3 delivers more accurate images with better renderings of fingers and eyes. Editing creations will be much simpler with Microsoft Designer integrated directly into Bing.

Content Credentials: using cryptographic methods, an invisible digital watermark will be added to all AI-generated images in Bing which includes the date and time the creation was originally created. This support will also be available for Paint and Microsoft Designer.

Bing Chat Enterprise Updates: over 160 million Microsoft users already have access to Bing Chat Enterprise at no additional cost, and now, this feature will be available in the mobile Microsoft Edge app. Finding information using images and creating them will be supported with multimodal visual search and Image Creator.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Microsoft Chat  

Microsoft Chat learns who the user is by combing their entire universe of data at work from emails to meetings, to chats, to documents, and more, including data from the web. It gains an in-depth understanding of the user, their job, their priorities, as well as the organization they work for. With this deep understanding, Microsoft Chat goes beyond answering simple questions and providing simple answers. It is capable of providing a head start with the most tedious and complex tasks such as writing business documents, booking a business trip, and catching up on emails.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Productivity and Creativity with Designer

The latest consumer app that leverages cutting-edge AI, Designer, allows users to quickly design and create visuals that are stunning for invitations, social media posts, or meetings. Powered by OpenAI’s DALL.E 3, Designer is becoming a powerhouse as Generative Extend extends the image beyond its borders while unwanted objects can be erased or removed with Generative Erase. Adding a background or object can be achieved with Generative Fill.

Designer is being integrated into Microsoft Copilot for consumers, beginning with Word. A text-heavy document can be transformed into a document with visuals and custom graphics that are either proposed by Copilot or uploaded by the user. Creating eye-catching visual drafts can be achieved with a few prompts by combining Designer, Bing Image Creator, Clipchamp, and Paint.

Microsoft 365 Copilot: Features in Select Microsoft Suite of Apps

Copilot in Word: unleash creativity at work. Copilot in Word can be used to draft a document based on your notes in OneNote and other documents that you direct it to. Copilot scans the target files, learns, and quickly generates a draft, in the typical format that you use, with all the key details surfaced from the files you provided. It can insert product images and it can pull and insert relevant visuals from other files. Copilot can write a short summary and insert it at the top of the document. Copilot will make suggestions to strengthen the document content, like adding an FAQ, which it will generate for you to refine.

Copilot in Outlook: stay on top of emails. Copilot can help you triage your inbox, prioritizing the most important emails whether on the web or mobile. Do the user’s emails have a long conversation thread? Copilot can summarize these threads and with time saved, users can quickly draft a reply or, Copilot can generate a reply for the user. The reply can be edited so it can reflect the user’s writing style, made more concise, or additional content can be added for context. Once reviewed, the user can hit send and the email is sent.

Copilot in Teams: in real-time during the meeting, when asked, Copilot can summarize what has taken place so far in the meeting including who said what, what points were made, where people stand, and list the unresolved questions.

Copilot in Teams and Intelligent Recap – After the Meeting: have a conflict with meetings? No worries! Users can simply choose the “Follow” button in one of the meeting invites. After the meeting ends, Copilot will generate a summary of what the user missed. Once ready, a Teams notification will be sent to the user, indicating that the Meeting Recap is ready. The meeting recap will highlight content that was shared, summarize notes, and any action items for the user or others whose names were mentioned. If things aren’t quite clear, users can ask Copilot clarification questions. A detailed response will be generated, including why a certain decision was made while providing important context. Users can ask Copilot what other solutions were considered, and it will provide citations from the transcript, so users can see where Copilot drew these conclusions.

Copilot in PowerPoint: without having to start from scratch, users can turn a document into a presentation. With their own words, Copilot can translate Word into PowerPoint and vice-versa and include visuals, animation, and speaker notes.

Copilot in Excel: turn a sea of data into clear insights and actions by asking Copilot to analyze the data. In turn, Copilot will provide three key trends. Drill down with follow-up questions. Copilot will generate a new sheet that provides the user with a better understanding of the data. Still not quite understanding the trend? The user can ask Copilot to visualize the trend and Copilot will add a visual or colour, popping the trend out to the user. Copilot can go further with “what if” scenarios, provide a step-by-step breakdown, and create a graph of the user’s projected model.

A productivity tool that combines AI and the power of large language models with an organization’s data, Microsoft 365 Copilot provides real-time intelligent assistance to users in business, personal, and learning environments. Working alongside Microsoft applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and more, it assists users in increasing their productivity through powerful written and visual communication.