Copilot is an AI assistant embedded within Power BI and the broader Microsoft Fabric platform. Various Fabric items support Copilot experiences, including Data Factory, Data Warehousing, Data Engineering, and Power BI.
Copilot in Power BI is changing the way users interact with data, making it easier and faster to explore. From generating reports to writing DAX measures, in this blog, we explore key features and how you can use them to work smarter with your data.
Summarise Data with Copilot in Power BI
Copilot can help summarise data based on the report you are currently using and provide a narrative of the report. This is useful, for example, in preparing an executive summary-type output for high-level leadership presentations. This helps users quickly understand the key points of a report.
You can also dig deeper into the summarised data and ask more specific questions, such as Which are my top-selling products? Why are sales down in Q3? Etc.
Report Creation with Copilot in Power BI
Power BI users can describe a report that they need, and Copilot will create a report draft with recommended visualisations. Users can continue refining the report using natural query language.
Exploring the Semantic Model and Data Modelling with Copilot in Power BI
Copilot can help you understand the Semantic Model behind a Power BI report. It outlines key tables and their content. For Power BI users exploring data, they can ask more general questions, such as “What type of analysis can I do?”. Based on the available data, Copilot can then suggest possible analyses, such as Sales Performance Analysis or Product Profitability, to help users gain valuable insights from the data.
For Report Creators, Copilot can answer questions such as “give me a listing of the schema and key fields of the semantic model”. This helps Power BI developers better understand the model behind the report.
Creating DAX Measures with Copilot in Power BI
You can leverage Copilot in Power BI to write DAX measures or understand DAX measures, especially for users who may not be very familiar with DAX syntax. There are various ways that Copilot can help:
- You can describe what you need in natural language, and Copilot will generate the corresponding DAX formula, e.g. “Create a measure for year-to-date order quantity”.
- Copilot can clarify what a DAX function does or when to use it.
- Once Copilot generates a measure and you are happy to use that measure, you can add it directly to your data model; no need to copy or recreate it.
*While Copilot can be a powerful tool, like any AI assistant, it can also make mistakes and misinterpretations. Always check the output.
Where can I access Copilot in Power BI?
Copilot in Power BI is available in Power BI Service and Power BI Desktop. Within the Power BI Service, you’ll find it in the report view, via the Copilot pane. You can use Copilot in Power BI Service to generate visuals, summarise reports, etc. Within Power BI Desktop, Copilot is available to create DAX measures, explain DAX functions, and assist with the data model.
Do I need special licensing or capacity to use Copilot in Power BI?
Yes. You need a Fabric capacity assigned to your workspace. Copilot features are available on lower tiers, such as F2, but must be enabled by your administrator.
Is Copilot always accurate?
Not always. While it’s powerful, Copilot can misinterpret data or generate incorrect formulas. Always validate its output before using it in production.
Is Copilot secure?
Copilot respects row-level security and workspace permissions. Data used in Copilot is not used to train models.
Other AI Capabilities in Power BI
Power BI includes several AI-powered features that work independently of Copilot. These tools enhance data exploration, and you don’t need Copilot enabled to use them.
Here are a few examples of these features:
- Q&A Visual: Allows users to ask natural language questions and get instant visual responses. Read more about this feature here.
- Smart Narrative: Automatically generates text summaries based on visuals in your report, helping users quickly interpret trends and key metrics. Read more about this feature here.
- AI-augmented visuals: Features like anomaly detection, forecasting, and key influencers are built into standard visuals and can be used without Copilot.
These features complement Copilot but are available to all Power BI users, regardless of whether Copilot is enabled in your environment.
Ready to Explore Copilot in Power BI?
Watch the demo videos above to see each feature in action, or dive deeper by viewing our recent webinar on demand here.
